Stacey eased around the tent post, keeping one eye on the soldiers below and another on her target. The commander of the combined forces was a fifty-something woman with streaks of iron-grey in her black hair, a slight limp when she walked, and a nasty scar on one cheek that somehow enhanced her rugged beauty rather than detract from it.

Every soldier treated her with veneration and a deep respect, and it wasn't hard to figure out why. She seemed to have a photographic memory, remembering every detail about every soldier under her command. She'd stop and talk to a cook or dishwasher as easily as she would a captain or major under her command, know the names of them and their family and how they were doing. The discipline amongst the troops was top-notch, with no trace of drunkenness or rowdiness amongst the troops, and despite the nearly constant setbacks the past few weeks, they'd done nothing to diminish the faith they had in her.

Stacey found all this out and more while following the commander on her twice-daily walk through camp. She hadn't been able to get into the command tent to see her yet, but the birds watching the camp had been most helpful.

At last the general made a slight course correction and started towards the command building. Stacey followed as close as she dared, not wanting to lose her.

When she stepped through the door, Stacey flitted in just before the door closed. Racing to the ceiling, she found a convenient support to hide on and waited, rehearsing her lines mentally.

"Reports, please." The general spoke calmly. Stacey shifted her head a little and could read the stitched name on the pocket: Volgelson.

"Yes, general." Her aide-de-campe passed over a sheaf of paper to her while reciting from memory; "All scouts and search parties have come back again, despite explicit orders to press on in a straight line. They report the same malfunctions of equipment and lack of familiar landmarks in the forest. Not even the Marines and SOGs have made any headway in reaching the objective."

"Hmm." The general said noncommittally. "What about helicopters?"

"We've attempted, but they've been blocked by enormous flocks of birds. They can't get close without risking sucking one up in the engine, and every time they try to go over the birds, hawks start to swarm and create the same problem. The local experts are at a loss to explain it. Well, at least a theory that makes sense."

"Oh?" Sharp grey eyes speared the tow-headed man who squirmed uncomfortably. "What other theory do they offer?"

"It's not them." He muttered. "Just someone I ran into the other day. That's all."

"Go on Major. That's an order. Who gave you this theory and what does it entail?"

The man sighed. "Well, I've confirmed her identity as the first person to make contact with this "Lady of the Wood", but she's only seven years old." He protested. "And her notion that the Lady can summon birds and beasts to her aid and talk to them is just absurd.""

The general pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Normally I would agree with you." She said at last. "But the strange behavior of the animals and the inability of our own men makes me wonder. I think I would like to have a talk with this "Lady of the Wood" someday."

"Perhaps you will." Stacey called from her hiding place. Everyone in the trailer froze.

The general frowned as she looked around. "All right Steve, very funny. Where is she hiding?"

"General, I swear, this isn't me." The major stammered. His sidearm, like every other person but the general's, was out as he searched for the source of the voice.

Stacey gulped, she'd started this. "If you put away your weapons, I'll come out. I'm a friend of the Lady." She added, wondering if it would help.

No one budged. Then the general spoke. "Put up your weapons, all of you. All right." She said when the last gun had been holstered. "Where are you?""

"Right here." Stacey descended from the rafter. She'd donned a regal green dress given to her by Shyla with a small belt with a silver buckle in the center of which a green emerald glittered. From this belt she hung her leaf-bag of seeds and on her golden head small blue flowers were woven into her hair.

The impact on the soldiers was every bit that she hoped for. Jaws dropped almost to the floor while every wide-eye watched as she carefully landed on the table in front of the general.

Volgelson seemed the least affected; after shaking off her initial reaction she got right down to business, which impressed Stacey a good deal. She wanted to know immediately who she was and what she was doing.

"Those questions are both very long, and we have very little time." Stacey said. "A battle is coming the day after tomorrow, one that will shape the course of this world.""

Someone snorted in the back.

"I understand that it must seem alarmist to you or perhaps something from a storybook, but please believe me," she looked up earnestly at the general and placed her hand on the large one in front of her, "that I am not exaggerating when I say the worst battle you can imagine is coming, and soon."

The general eyed her. "Are you saying you and this Lady, whoever she is, is declaring war on us?" She asked slowly.

"No! How could you think that!" Stacey gasped, horrified. "We are on your side! We need your help to face the demon chief!""

"Whoa! What demon chief? Is he commanding this wacky forest? What is happening here?" The general demanded. "I can't bring my forces to battle unless I know exactly what is going on."

Stacey saw no choice but to fill the general in completely, so she gave as concise an account of their adventures as she could.

Despite her efforts darkness showed in the single window. The general sipped the coffee someone had brought her thoughtfully while the staff stood around. Some looked curious, others wondering, and the rest a little fearful. Stacey couldn't blame them; their training had done nothing to prepare them to face a demon, or any creature of magic.

"So, this Cassandra person, she's the one who told you of this demon?"

"Yes." Stacey admitted. "We are still hoping to get the Mud Master before Halloween. Jake is trying to fly over the suspected areas, but it''s hard to find something that walks through the earth like air."

"I can imagine." Volgelson looked a little uncomfortable; what weapon did she have in her arsenal that could stop someone who walked through earth and metal like a ghost?

"We think fire can stop it," Stacey offered wanly. "If Jake can get close enough to roast him, the earth that makes up his body will turn to glass, rendering him immobile long enough for Serena to either free him or destroy him."

"What about his victims?" Volgelson asked. "These 'mudmen''? Will they be freed?"

Stacey shrugged helplessly. "We don't know. We think so, from the encounter at Fire Station 3. At the very least, he won't be able to create any more after he’s gone."

"That's a hell of a risk." Volgeson pointed out. "It would be better if we captured him. Then we can force him to turn them back and safely imprison him."

"There wouldn't be a safe prison anywhere in the world for him." Stacey shook her head. "With his power, he could walk through any wall or door he chose. Most likely, he'd walk out through solid rock. No, there is nothing for it."

The general looked thoroughly unhappy, but she had to concede that Stacey had a point.

"What do you suggest we do, then?" she asked.

"Be ready to come in and help us." Stacey shrugged. "Beyond that? Evacuate people to safety. If it gets real bad, take them to the mountain.""

"What mountain?" one of the staff snarled. "We can't even get close thanks to you!"

Stacey looked at her levelly. "That is because we were protecting ourselves and our home. If it looks as bad as we fear, the forest will shelter all of you and the animals will lead you down safe paths to the Unicorn's Glade and the Great Tree, where the magic is strongest and will protect you."

Volgelson looked politely skeptical, but said nothing.

They talked for several hours, going over the plans that they'd come up with. Volgelson proved to be a canny strategist and tactician, giving good insight to the initial plans. In the end, Stacey ended up taking back a thumb drive nearly as big as she was filled with battle plans.

When she flew above the camp, Jake appeared suddenly, swooping in low to let her ride on his shoulders.

The appearance of a dragon left the camp in turmoil; soldiers fell to the ground, grabbed weapons wildly, or stood in mute astonishment. The general appeared to be one of the latter, standing on the steps, looking up at them as they retreated rapidly into the distance.





In the fortress, everyone discussed Stacey's meeting with the general. Jake in particular wanted to know all about her and if Stacey thought that she would be up to the challenge.

"I can only offer what I've seen of her." She said defensively. "But from what I can tell, her army would follow her to hell itself if she led, because she wouldn't be the one to ask them to go and remain in safety, she'd be walking there herself first."

"Good, good." Jake chuckled. "That's very good. We may stand a chance yet."

He refused to explain what he was talking about with that, but Stacey didn't particularly care either. She felt exhausted from her negotiations and wanted nothing more than to sleep.

After a polite excusal from the meeting, she went to her room that she'd so briefly shared with her sisters while they'd been waiting for the others to arrive. Bits of their presence still remained; a couple of purses that had been on Melody and Hermione, a red brush that one of them  had pulled out to comb out the tangles from their flight, and a large bowl of water that they'd used to douse their faces.

The subtle reminders of her family only served to make Stacey even more exhausted, as she wondered if there'd ever be a time when they weren't in one danger or another. She took off her dress and replaced it with a small nightgown that she'd fashioned from silk spun by a helpful spider, flew to a pillow on one of the beds, and went to sleep.







Rachel woke up feeling hungry. She stretched the kinks out of her backs and staggered out to the dining hall in search of breakfast. She found some fruits in the dwarves ingenious walk –in refrigerator  (Instead of electricity and coolant like humans used, they made a sealed granite room and ran spring water around the outside everywhere except the entrance, cooling the inside to about thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit) and some grain in the pantry, and commenced eating.

When she'd finished breakfast she went down to the Vaults on her daily inspection rounds and saw that nothing had been disturbed inside. Returning to the upper levels, she checked the rest of the city for any signs of intruders but other than the signs of their own previous comings and goings she found nothing.

Returning to the main hall, she ignored the shadowy sleeping form of Jake and kindled a small fire in the great fireplace. Resting comfortably in front of the crackling flames, she proceeded to work out math problems in her head for entertainment until everyone else had woken up.

"Well, we all seem to be here now." Jake announced, looking around the table. "So let's all make some plans for dealing with the Mud Master today. I don't need to remind anyone of the consequences if we fail." He looked grim and the others shuddered.

Rachel listened as Serena reported her findings from the Seeing Pool of Antiquity. The Mud Master had apparently felt he had little to fear and apparently lots of money, for he'd decided to take up residence in an expensive penthouse in the city's leading hotel.

That is strange, she mused. He must realize that we are looking for him, and if we find him he'll want to get away quickly or be near his natural element. I suspect a trap here, but perhaps in such a trap there is an opportunity as well.

"This is a trap." Brian pointed out, echoing her own thoughts.

"I agree." Rachel quickly added. She stated her reasoning and Brian nodded approvingly.

"It closely matches my own, why is he in such an obviously vulnerable place for him, unless he has some sort of advantage that we aren't aware of?"

"True." Jake rumbled. "It is obviously a trap, but it may also be an opportunity, one that we cannot afford to miss. We know he has placed himself in a vulnerable position, but perhaps not as much as what is on face value. All he has to do is jump out a window and in seconds he's on his power base. That may, in fact, be his plan. Have us tied in the penthouse while he escapes to the ground and we are only able to pursue him one at a time. "

"What if we ask Volgelson to help?" Stacey asked. "I'm sure her men have a score to settle, so they'd be eager at the chance. If she has some men on the street below, they could shoot him before he has a chance to land."

Rachel considered the suggestion, looking for flaws. There were many, not the least of which would be trying to hit a falling target from a window without knowing the exact moment he'd leap, or if he'd even bother leaping through a window and not phase through the wall or floors. Yet with more men on the ground floor and some stationed on the others to provide warning of the Mud Master's descent....it could prove possible.

"Of course, he may feel we won't attack because there's bound to be innocent people there. Any attempt to evacuate them is likely to warn him, and an attack is likely to leave some injured." She pointed out.

"True. But if we have the military move in and evacuate while we attack, then we can keep the element of surprise, have additional backup, and possibly force him to stay in the penthouse. If we move quickly, we might even catch him off guard and finish the battle before he can get moving." Tom pointed out.

"I could use my magic to try and seal him into the room for a bit." Shyla offered.

'That's not a bad idea! I could help with that.' Serena said excitedly.

"No sis, I'm going to need you leading the attack. I can't get into a building easily, and once in I can't move." Jake said in frustration. "It's got to be you, Asbiorn, Rachel and Brian going in on this one. I'll be outside in case he jumps or you need help, but I do agree with Shyla. Instead of her going in with you, place her below or wherever she needs to be to seal him into that room. "

"How long will your seal hold?" Rachel asked.

Shyla shrugged helplessly. "That depends on how strong he is. If he's not super strong in anything but transformation spells, then a good long while. If he is powerful, then it becomes a question of how powerful he is compared to me.""

"Jake, why don't you land on the outside of the building and provide extra support to Shyla?" Rachel suggested. "If it looks like he has the power to break Shyla's shield, then add your strength to hers to keep him imprisoned.”

"All right." Jake agreed.

"Now, before we go into more detail, we need to contact Volgelson to get the ball rolling on her end, as it were."

"I'll go." Stacey volunteered.

"I'll go with her." Tom added.  "You know, in case she needs help.""

"All right. No one should be going anywhere alone anyway. Just be careful and stay rested so that you are ready for battle."

"Right." The pair flew off.

"Um, not to bring down the house, but a thought just occurred to me." Jake said uncomfortably. "How are we going to sneak you two into the city? Everyone else can get in in human guise, hidden in someone's pocket, or invisible. But you two can't become human, and can't really ride on my back anymore.""

Rachel sighed. "The best laid plans of mice and men'" she quoted.

"Wait, I might be able to cast a ignorance spell on you two." Shyla offered.

There were many questions, but it turned out that a ignorance spell did not affect the intelligence of the person the spell was cast on, instead it focused on making people simply ignore the out of place features on them, such as their horse bodies.

"Think of it like a day at the office. You wear a new pen or shirt in, but people just keep working on their tasks and don't notice until you point it out to them. Well, this spell works just like that, but bigger." Shyla explained.

"Perhaps we should test it first." Jake suggested.

Shyla glanced at her wristwatch. "No time. Not unless you mean to wait until tomorrow. We've only just enough time to inform the army and storm the castle before night falls."

"Right." Rachel agreed. "We'll have to try it out en route. Let's go!"