Chapter 10

S now and Master Harwin stood in the archive room. When she told him they were missing, he demanded to see for himself at once. Now, he stared at the empty spaces where the mirrors were supposed to be with wide, fearful eyes. He muttered, "How did this happen?" over and over again as if Snow had the answer.

She didn't.

He moved from one vacant spot to the next, paused to stare at what was left of the outline of each mirror, his hand rubbing the skin of his forehead.

"They were supposed to be safe here," he said.

"How would someone break in and take them under your nose?" she asked.

"They didn't break in through the front door." He rocked on his heels, staring at the place where the label for Dark Mirror had been.

"Then how?"

"There is only one way. Through a portal. This is my fault." He paced a short distance back and forth, his agitation clear.

"I don't see how it could be," she said. "You've always carefully supervised the archive room."

"And yet you were able to enter it with ease."

His piercing stare bore into her, causing an icy chill to creep up her spine. The weight of his disappointment pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe. Anxiety gnawed at the edges of her mind as she desperately searched for words to ease the tension that hung heavy in the air.

"However," he added, "if you hadn't, then I would have never known the mirrors were missing."

She wasn't sure if he was thanking her for that or not, so she remained silent.

"I must alert the Elders," he said.

"What will happen then?"

"Then? I will likely be removed as Master of Archives."

As she gazed into his eyes, she saw the weight of his sadness etched deep within them. The lines on his face seemed to deepen, revealing a profound sorrow that tugged at her heartstrings. It was as if every ounce of joy had been drained from him, leaving behind an overwhelming sense of despair.

Harwin had been Master of Archives longer than she had been part of the elves' village. Longer than Yirrie and Elator had been alive, even. She stepped toward him and hugged him. He was so surprised by that he didn't return the hug.

"What was that for?" he asked when she pulled away.

"You looked like you needed it." She glanced at the vacant space, chewing on her lower lip. "Do you have to tell them now? Maybe you should wait until after festival."

He glanced from her to the void and back again. "You want me to lie?"

"Not lie," she said. "Just wait to tell them. Only you and I know the mirrors are missing. The others don't. And, by the looks of the spaces along the walls, it appears they have been missing for quite some time."

"But…"

"Perhaps I can help," she rushed on.

He narrowed his gaze at her. "How?"

"Let me see if I can find out something."

He tilted his head to one side, question lingering in his eyes. "How will you do that?"

"I have some ideas." She patted his arm for reassurance. "Let me try. I feel like this is partially my fault."

"No, Snow, not your fault at all."

Perhaps not, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Something or someone had wanted her to see the archive room. She didn't tell him the door was ajar. She decided to use her nature powers to find out more information about the dark wizard and the mirrors. She wanted to find the wizard's home. If it still existed, perhaps there were answers hidden there.

She stifled a yawn. "I should go."

He walked with her toward the door and then out of the archive room. Once they were out, he shut it and tested the knob to make sure it was locked. He followed her as she made her way around the desk.

"Thank you, Snow," he said.

She turned to face him. "For what?"

"For telling me about the mirrors. For your help." He granted her a weak smile.

"You're welcome. I'll let you know if I find out anything."

He nodded and then shuffled back to his cozy home. Snow slipped out into the night and headed home.

As she walked back, though, she heard the festival was still in full swing. Lots of joyous voices, singing, music, laughter. This year, she felt more like an outsider than ever. The familiar faces seemed distant, their laughter echoing through the trees as a constant reminder of her isolation while she stood on the periphery. She knew it was because all the young couples were pairing off and looking for their own true loves.

Snow, though, knew her true love was not here in the forest.

He was somewhere out there. When she met him, she would know.

She started to make the turn for her home and then changed her mind. Since everyone was still at the festival, it would be her chance to go into the forest and see if she could find those answers.

It was a risk, she knew, especially stepping outside the protective circle of the Elder's magic. It was a risk she had to take.

She made her way from the village through the forest as she did many times before. So many times, she had lost count. She lifted the edge of her gown and stepped carefully over fallen logs. She made her way to Faradill where she knelt in front of the massive tree. She placed her palms on the trunk, closed her eyes, and whispered the incantation.

"Ancient oak, with roots so deep, guardian of secrets, wisdom to keep. In your branches, the whispers of old, reveal to me tales untold."

Hello, my lady Snow.

"I have a request."

Faradill was not only wise, but also intuitive.

I will help if I can.

"Do you know where the dark wizard once lived?"

Quite the request. He chuckled. The dark wizard gave us life. The elves saved us from his wickedness.

She nodded, knowing this already from the story Master Harwin told her.

Indeed, I do know where he lived. His cabin is on the edge of the woods. To the west.

Her heart thudded. That was too far to hike at this time of night and she had never gone that far alone anyway. She needed an excuse not to help Yirrie with the baking tomorrow so she could trek across the forest to the wizard's cabin.

Why do you seek it? the oak asked.

"I have questions about him. I hoped to find answers there."

You are going. It wasn't a question.

"I am."

There was a long pause. Then he said, Tread carefully there, my lady Snow. No one has been near there in years.

A warning. Cold shivers slipped up her spine. "Is it dangerous?"

It is where the dark wizard began, he said. The elves tried to hide his cabin, but it still stands.

"I will heed your warning. Thank you, Faradill," she said.

Stay safe, my lady.

She removed her palms, releasing the spell on the ancient oak. A yawn escaped her. She sank to the ground and sat with her back against the trunk, stretching her legs out in front of her as she thought of the dark wizard and his hidden cabin deep in the Wyldwood. How would she find her way to the other side of the forest? As she pondered this, her eyes grew heavy and before long she was fast asleep.

Snow awoke to the sound of faint birdsong. Her eyes fluttered open. She had fallen asleep at the foot of Faradill, curled on her side and her head pillowed on her arm. Sometime during the night, she was covered with a thick blanket woven from leaves and sticks. Annilen was in a tight ball near the base of the tree, her tiny features calm and serene as she slept. She smiled, wondering when her friend had found her. The last thing she recalled was falling asleep after chatting with Faradill about the dark wizard.

Realizing it was morning, and that she was likely missed at home, she sat up straight. The leaf blanket fell away. Her arm had fallen asleep, so when she moved, pinpricks pierced up and down her arm as the feeling came back into it.

Her sudden movement disturbed Annilen, waking her from her deep sleep.

"Morning, Snow," she said around a yawn.

Snow struggled to her feet. "I have to go. Yirrie will be looking for me."

She was going to be in trouble. A lot of trouble. Her only hope was that she would be able to sneak into her bedroom and pretend she had been there all night. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, so she hoped Yirrie and Elator wouldn't be awake yet.

Annilen fluttered next to her, keeping pace. "The festival went long into the night."

That gave her hope. She had spent a good portion of the night with Master Harwin and was certain no one missed her when she slipped out of his house and into the forest. Her heart, though, was still beating a rapid pace.

"How do you know?" Snow asked.

"How could we not know? Music and dancing and singing kept most of us awake."

She sounded irritated and for some reason that made Snow smile.

"When I saw you sleeping at the foot of the tree, away from all the noise, I decided to join you," Annilen said. "Some of us had to get far, far away from the village to get any rest."

She couldn't help it, she giggled at the way the little sprite sounded so cranky.

As they neared the village, though, apprehension rolled through her. What if Yirrie knew she was out all night? She told her to stay within the confines of the village, within the protective ring of magic laid out by the Elders warding off evil spirits and dark magic that might want to invade. She had disobeyed. Because she was desperate to find answers.

Though Annilen said the merriment went late into the night, something made Snow pause, close her eyes, and reach out with her senses to tap into nature. The magic surrounding the village was still intact. That was a relief.

The village was quiet. The birds, squirrels, and others were only just now coming awake, which gave her hope.

"What is it?" Annilen asked.

"Just checking the village," she said. "All seems to be well. Which means I can sneak back inside the house unnoticed. You should go, Annilen."

The sprite gave her wave and flitted off.

Snow continued on her way and entered the village. No one was up yet, which was a good sign. She hurried to her house, slipping around the back and heading for her window. She shoved it open and climbed inside, relief sputtering through her. Her room was empty and dark.

She quickly changed out of the dress she wore the previous night into a clean day dress. After she combed her hair, she stepped out of her room and ran right into Yirrie.

Her arms were crossed over her chest. A pinched expression of both anger and worry creased her features. Immediately, Snow realized she had not been so stealthy after all. Her sneaking was discovered.

"Where have you been?" Yirrie demanded.

"I was—"

"You were in the forest all night, weren't you?" Her tone was less than kind and told Snow there was no use in giving her excuses.

She flushed hot, her cheeks burning. Finally, she nodded.

Yirrie dropped her arms and huffed out a breath. "Even after what happened that night at festival? Snow…" She shook her head, unable to continue.

"I'm sorry, Yirrie. The forest called to me and I had to obey."

It was a half-truth. She couldn't tell her about visiting with Master Harwin or finding the missing mirrors or even learning about the dark wizard. She wasn't sure Yirrie would believe her anyway.

"Snow, Tasnia wanted to banish you from this village because of what happened. You promised to stay within the safe perimeter of the village."

She clenched her jaw, biting back the caustic reply that sprang to her lips. No, it was Yirrie who had promised for her. Yirrie didn't understand what it would do to her if she remained within the village.

And besides, nothing happened when she was there last night. No Shadows came for her. No dark magic or dark wizards. She was perfectly safe.

Instead, she said again, "I'm sorry."

Yirrie softened, her worry and distress melting off her face. She reached for Snow, wrapping her in a tight hug.

"After what happened, I worry."

Snow patted her on the back. "I know."

Yirrie pulled back, holding her at arm's length and smiling at her. "I'm glad you're all right. Now, let's get to our daily baking."

As Yirrie released her and hurried into the kitchen, Snow inwardly groaned. The last thing she wanted to do was more baking. But it was still festival time and she knew she had to help. Her hike into the forest to find the wizard's cabin had to wait. She trudged into the kitchen.