She thought she had heard someone, though the whistling wind masked most of the sound.

“Did you hear that, James?” she inquired, a paranoid look in her eyes.

“It’s just the wind,” reassured her brother. “Please calm down Iona, we lost them hours ago.”

“I hope you’re right,” Iona replied, “but I don’t want to take any chances. I want to get Eli here to Master Velrin’s before dawn breaks.” She kissed the soft white bundle of blankets that she gently cradled in her arms. Eli, her baby, slept comfortably, despite the icy wind.

It had been dark for a few hours already, making their trip difficult. The wind often blew snow up from the trail, making it hard to see. James held their only lantern, and Iona stayed as near to him as she could.

“I hope Velrin understands, “ Iona continued, “I can’t keep the boy. The guards know nothing of Eli. If they catch me, they’ll kill me and the boy.”

“I’m sure Velrin will understand, but you’re asking an awful lot of him. Raisin’ a boy is tough work, and he doesn’t exactly have experience.” James advised.

Iona looked at James with honest eyes. “Regardless, he’s my only hope…”

James took a deep, troubled breath. “As you say, sister.” He lifted the lantern up above his head and peered into the distance, down the path. “I recognize the path here. We should be there shortly.”

Within the hour, the two spotted the glow of the small village of Faeton. Lanterns could be seen lining the main road directly through to the other side of town. The village looked peaceful and asleep, undisturbed of outside trouble.

Iona and James made their way down the road and onto the street. They were happy to get off of the sporadic path to the town and be on even ground again. As they walked under the lanterns, down the street, they noticed that not a soul seemed awake. It almost seemed abandoned, but the thought was foolish, for someone surely lit the town lights, Iona thought.

James lifted his lantern up and gently blew out the flame. “Now, which cottage is his, again?”

“It’s a few minutes’ walk from here.” Iona pulled down her hood to reveal her steady, yet delicate face. “I haven’t seen Velrin in a few years now, but no doubt he’s still in the same shack. Once he’s content with himself, he rarely changes.