November 26

Word Count: 575

"How?"

"Well, very much the way the other mages bound their powers to the book."

"No, I meant how do I give them to you."

"Oh, that's the easy part. You might want to have a seat on the bed. It can be a bit dizzying."

Trevelyn sat on the edge of the bed and watched Nelyr raise his hands above his head. She fell back onto the bed and closed her eyes. A bit dizzying was a bit of an understatement. It felt as if someone was standing on her stomach, pushing the air from her lungs and emptying her head. Little flashes of light danced around in the back of her head and then she lost consciousness.

Lynah was loving the whole not a princess routine. In fact, she'd tried to leave the castle three times and not a single person stopped her. No one talked to her. No one fawned over her. No one sang horrid songs beneath her window. Best of all, no one seemed to care what she did. In fact, she had been barred from court for a whole month. It was fantastic!

The second time she entered the castle without interruption, she didn't make her way up to her own rooms. Instead, she turned to the kitchens to grab some food before heading Lasser's room. Now that she had plenty of time on her hands, and no worries about being interrupted by an annoying suitor, she could get to know the ranger better.

Lynah knocked on his door and was answered with a surly, "Yes?" She opened the door and smiled at Lasser. After just one look at him in the room, anyone could have realized he didn't belong there. He glared at her suspiciously. She returned it with her most beguiling smile.

"You rather deserted me back there," he stated as he crossed his hands over his chest.

"Well, we didn't exactly have a choice. The king demanded an immediate audience. I did remember you. I told them to put you here, although it's fairly obvious you don't belong here." Lasser seemed to take offense at that.

"And where do you think I belong? Up a tree?"

"Yes… No… that's not what I meant. I meant that you look like you don't like to be closed in by walls. You feel most comfortable in the forest." Lynah smiled hopefully. Lasser uncrossed his arms. She took that as a good sign. "Would you like to eat something? I've packed us a picnic. We could go outside and talk." Lasser took a look around the room and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"Alright."

"Food? Did I hear correctly?" Snult said, raising his head. "Count me in!" He stretched and fluttered his way to Lasser's shoulder and resumes his perch.

Lynah led them out of the castle, thanking the starts that no one even thought to question them, and proceeded to the very edge of the gardens to the large open lawn that sprawled for quite a distance. She laid down the sheet she'd confiscated from her bed, and the two sat while she began to remove items from the basket. At one point she had to remove an indignant Snult who was anxious to see the contents of the basket. She had an assortment of different cheeses, bread, and meats. Snult was quite satisfied with a pile of ham slices placed in front of him.