《Gift of the Unicorn》 1. A Hawk and a Unicorn 1. A Hawk and a Unicorn The cramped little bunkhouse was a din of activity as the hunters dressed for the day. Randel slid into his old leather boots and straightened his tunic, then stood up and stretched. Unsurprisingly, he was finished before anyone else. Randel shared the wooden sleeping quarters with five other young men. They were one of the vige¡¯s hunting squads, and probably the best in Randel¡¯s opinion. He ran a calloused hand through his short, tousled hair, trying to push it out of his eyes. Then he reached into his trunk and pulled out his knapsack. One of Randel¡¯s bunkmates, a muscr young man named Morris, slid up and told him, ¡°If you actually manage to take down a deer today, I¡¯m letting your scrawny ass drag it back to town yourself.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll help me,¡± Randel told him, smirking. Morris tried to suppress a smile, but nodded and rolled his eyes. ¡°So,¡± another guy began, ¡°The witch says that it¡¯s a good week for hunting. If we¡¯re all in our best form, our squad might bring in enough to impress the chief. Wouldn¡¯t recognition for our work be nice?¡± ¡°I would certainly appreciate a reward for all our hard work,¡± someone else added. Randel grunted, but didn¡¯t reply. The thought of having to stand before the chief filled him with dread. Given a chance, he¡¯d dly pass. ¡°Don¡¯t you still need your bow?¡± Morris asked, taking his own off of the wall. Randel swore quietly. ¡°Yeah, I do,¡± he said, ¡°I¡¯ll see you guyster.¡± He stepped outside into the fresh air of the little wood and cobblestone town. There were a lot of smells in the air: from the smokehouse, the tannery, the fishery, and so on. People passed by, talking amongst themselves. Far off, Randel could hear the sound of clinking from the cksmith. Rohesia¡¯s little two-room house was on the outskirts of town. The bunkhouse was actually bigger, but she had the fortune of living alone. Or was it misfortune? Randel had never had the opportunity to find out for himself. Like most unmarried people in the vige, he lived out of a bunkhouse and ate at themunal dining hall withrge crowds. ¡°Ro?¡± he asked, knocking on the door, ¡°Can Ie in?¡± ¡°About time!¡± After a moment, the door opened. A lean and strong, slightly older woman with thick, oily hair was ring at Randel. Randel gulped. ¡°Get inside,¡± Rohesia said, pulling him by the arm. It was a nice home. Across the walls were hanging antlers and bows varying in age and size. Some of the weapons were, from experience, too heavy for short, scrawny Randel or even Morris. But Rohesia was strong enough to at least demonstrate how to carry and fire them, if only for a short time. Randel had always suspected that Rohesia only had them for bragging rights. Rohesia was the main instructor for all the hunters in the vige. But she was also the leader of Randel¡¯s own hunting squad. Randel had always looked up to her, and was so grateful to get to work closely with her. ¡°Here you go,¡± Rohesia said, cing Randel¡¯s bow into his hands, ¡°You need to learn how to repair your own weapon, though. I¡¯m serious about this.¡± ¡°I know, and I promise I will,¡± Randel insisted. ¡°You¡¯re a good hunter,¡± Rohesia reminded him, ¡°You¡¯re strong, even physically for how scrawny you are, but you need to keep pushing yourself or you¡¯re not going anywhere.¡± Randel nodded, hoping that she couldn¡¯t see the blush he was feeling. Sometimes Rohesia sounded too much like Randel¡¯s father for him to befortable around her. It certainly wasn¡¯t as bad as when his father chewed him out, though, if only because Randel knew that Rohesia actually liked him. Rohesia opened her mouth to say more, but a knock at the door interrupted her. She raised a finger to indicate Randel should wait. Then she walked over to open the door, revealing a woman covered in freckles and holding a small paper package. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I¡¯m here to deliver Aldith¡¯s package,¡± the stranger said softly. ¡°Of course. Thank you.¡± Rohesia took the package and headed off to her other room, leaving the door open. For a moment, Randel was alone with the young woman. He smiled at her, and she nodded briefly back at him. The tension was thankfully broken when Rohesia returned carrying another small paper package. ¡°To show my thanks,¡± she said, handing the package to the stranger, ¡°Give Aldith my regards.¡± The young woman nodded and skittered away. Once they were alone again, Rohesia took one of her bows down from the wall. Turning to Randel, she said, ¡°We¡¯ll talk moreter. We have to go now or else we¡¯ll bete.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Randel envied that Rohesia had a ce of her own that she didn¡¯t even have to share with a spouse. He¡¯d love to have a ce of his own one day, if only so that he didn¡¯t have to bear the difort of changing in front of a bunch of other men or dealing with the smell of their collective sweat all summer. Unfortunately, in a walledmunity, space was a luxury that you had to earn. Ro had an important job; Randel was just a hunter with no real aspirations. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Randel quietly followed Rohesia toward the edge of town. It wasn¡¯t an awkward silence like he had around his father. But it was the silence between a mentor and pupil rather than between two friends. He always felt a little small around Rohesia. Along the way, the two passed by arge open space where one of the vige wells was sitting. A group of young boys had gathered and were wrestling. Randel couldn¡¯t help but smile as memories of his own childhood came back to him. Then one of the boys got off of one of the long-haired kids to reveal that they were wearing a dress and had a ribbon in their hair. There was a girl ying with the group of boys. Randel¡¯s smile faltered. Why did that bother him? It shouldn¡¯t. Growing up, he¡¯d yed in groups that had girls in them. In fact, he sometimes gravitated towards ying with groups of girls specifically. Why did it bother him to see it happening in front of him now? ¡°Randel, don¡¯t slow down!¡± Rohesia barked, snapping him out of his trance. Rohesia led Randel out of the town gate nearest to the forest. There were a few scattered wooden buildings on this side of the palisade wall. The most important of these buildings for Randel and Rohesia was what could charitably be called a hunting cabin, where the rest of Randel¡¯s squad was already gathered in front of. ¡°Grab a quiver,¡± Rohesia reminded Randel. He darted inside the little hut to pick one of the remaining quivers. Randel stuffed it full of arrows, while outside Rohesia cleared her throat and started her morning pep talk. It honestly brought a smile to his face. ¡°Alright, gentlemen,¡± she began, ¡°It¡¯s spring again, and all indications are that this is going to be a good year for hunting. I¡¯ve molded you into the best this town has to offer. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a revtion to anyone here.¡± There were a few chuckles from the group. Rohesia continued, ¡°But being the bestes with a lot of responsibility. The town is counting on us¡ªcounting on all its hunters. If we do not provide, people suffer. Our chief suffers, our fletcher suffers, our tailor suffers. And if Hamon can¡¯t work on my outfits because he¡¯s not being fed, I will send you back out into the night with orders not to return empty-handed. Do I make myself clear?¡± There were a fewughs and cheers of agreement from the crowd as Randel slipped out of the cabin, his quiver hanging from his back alongside his knapsack. ¡°Are we all ready?¡± Rohesia asked. The group gathered all their supplies and started following Rohesia into the woods, down familiar paths. Randel stuck close to Rohesia, carefully avoiding twigs and keeping his breath steady like he¡¯d been trained. Most of the sounds in the forest were just birds flitting through bushes and trees, but Randel kept his ears perked and eyes peeled just in case they ran right into something. It was a while before Rohesia stopped and turned to face the group. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, ¡°This should be far enough. Split into pairs and start looking for tracks.¡± Randel nced over to see that Morris was already standing next to him with a goofy grin on his face. He nodded in reply and they took off toward the north, through some of the smaller brush. The two kept quiet until they were well out of earshot. ¡°What did you two talk about?¡± Morris asked, still scanning the ground for tracks. It was good that he could focus on two things at once. Being around Morris had such a debilitating effect on Randel. It was impossible to focus on the hunt through the butterflies in his stomach. Randel shrugged and replied, ¡°Nothing important.¡± ¡°Really? Isn¡¯t she grooming you to take over the squad?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, Morris. No, she¡¯s not.¡± Randel scanned the trees, hoping for some sign of movement in the distance. ¡°Come off it,¡± Morris continued, ¡°You¡¯re good. Not quite as good as she is, but she thinks you can be. You¡¯re like a hawk, Randel. A natural-born hunter.¡± Randel felt his face start to burn, but just cleared his throat and replied, ¡°For someone who talks so much, your kills are as stealthy as a snake. We¡¯ve all got strengths. I¡¯m not better than anyone else.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to be the best, you just have to be good enough to lead. And you are.¡± Randel was quiet for a moment, then asked, ¡°You really think that she¡¯d appoint me as the leader when she moves on?¡± ¡°Yeah, I really do. It¡¯s you or Judd, and she clearly favors you. As she should. You deserve it.¡± Randel¡¯s blush deepened and he had to look away from Morris. His stomach was in knots. It always happened when Morris started to praise him. Why couldn¡¯t Randel keep this feeling tied down? It was only going to cause problems if he acted on it. There was no way that Morris felt anything romantic toward Randel, was there? He¡¯d asionally make suggestions about women that Randel should pursue. But what if he was just testing the waters? What if he was trying to figure out what kind of person Randel was interested in? Because, truth be told, Morris was the only person he had eyes on right now. ¡°You¡¯d hate me if I was in charge,¡± he muttered yfully. ¡°We¡¯ll always be friends, Randel,¡± Morris insisted. Randel had to take a deep breath to calm himself down. It was a mistake to pair off with Morris. He wasn¡¯t going to be able to contain himself forever. The truth was going toe out one day, and Randel hated the thought of it ruining their rtionship. He¡¯d been too cowardly to tell Morris that he only liked men, afraid that it would make things awkward between them. ¡°Hold on,¡± Morris finally said, stopping suddenly, ¡°I see tracks. They¡¯re fresh. Kind of small, but if I find a group it might be a decent haul. I¡¯m going to pursue it.¡± Randel nodded and replied quietly, ¡°I¡¯ll keep looking. Maybe I¡¯ll find that deer you were talking about.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t be there to help you,¡± Morris warned. ¡°I¡¯m stronger than I look,¡± Randel lied. Morris nodded and started walking off to follow the tracks. Randel continued on his own way, careful not to make too much noise. He was grateful to be alone. It was strange, but Randel never really felt at home anywhere until he started hunting alone. Something about being in the woods just felt right. The whole forest teemed with life and sound, but it wasn¡¯t so thick as to be dark and foreboding. If he wanted to, Randel could lie down and take a long nap with an ease that he didn¡¯t normally have in his bunkhouse. ¡°Now what¡¯s this?¡± he asked himself, spotting an unusual set of animal prints. They looked to be horse tracks. Was a rider passing through these woods? Unlikely. But the alternative was one of the vige¡¯s horses had escaped and nobody warned the hunters to keep an eye out. ¡°But if it¡¯s a wild horse, that could be a good find for the town,¡± Randel mused, ¡°I¡¯d better follow it.¡± Randel slid effortlessly into his hunter mindset. All at once it felt like his senses were heightened as he strained to focus on every sound and movement around him. His walk was smooth and swift. There was a twitch in his hand; it was instinctively ready to pull an arrow from his quiver, even though there was no need right now. ¡°Where are you?¡± Randel wondered, ncing between the tracks on the ground and the trees around him. There was a bright patch not too far ahead: a clearing. Randel was tempted to ignore it, but then he saw what looked like a small burst of movement. He paused, straining his ears. A tiny sound rewarded him. ¡°What are you doing in there?¡± Randel asked silently, taking a few steps toward the clearing. He could hear the horse shuffling around before he could see it. What was it doing? It didn¡¯t sound like it was grazing. There was a rope in Randel¡¯s knapsack. Randel stopped to fish it out and tie a loop. If the horse was wild, it wasn¡¯t going down without a fight. Before he got to the edge of the clearing, Randel could see what was making the noise. He dropped the rope in surprise. It was a stark white horse with arge straight horning out of its forehead lying down at the other edge of the clearing. Silver blood spilled from a wound on its leg and pooled on the ground. The unicorn was already looking in Randel¡¯s direction, but hadn¡¯t made any move to object to his presence. ¡°Hello there,¡± Randel said, walking out into the clearing, ¡°You¡¯re in a bad state, aren¡¯t you? What happened?¡± The mystical creature snorted and shook its head, but didn¡¯t pull away from Randel when he got close. He knelt down, getting his pants wet with thick silver blood. When Randel ced his hand on the unicorn¡¯s nk to wipe away the blood, it started to twitch and snort in protest, but Randel was able to clean the area enough to see a bite wound. ¡°I think I can fix this,¡± Randel said, wiping his hand clean on nearby grass. His hand was tingling a little bit, but Randel ignored it. He pulled his first aid supplies out of his bag and used a rag to wipe the wound clean. It had mostly stopped bleeding, but the injury might get infected. Randel poured a little bit of cleansing potion onto the injury. The unicorn neighed and kicked out in pain, hitting Randel in the stomach. ¡°Oof¡­ it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m fine, I promise,¡± Randel lied through his tears, ¡°Almost done.¡± He took arge square bandage and applied a sticky resin to the edges. Randel ced it gently over the wound and pressed down. The unicorn tensed up and made a sound, but didn¡¯tsh out again. ¡°You should be all good,¡± Randel said, wiping his hands clean on his ruined tunic, ¡°Try to stand up now.¡± The creature stared at him for a moment, as if notprehending, then started moving its legs. Randel stood up and stepped back to give it some room as it climbed to its hooves. In a moment, it was standing warily on all fours and staring at Randel. ¡°You know,¡± Randel said, reaching out and patting the unicorn on the neck, ¡°Growing up, I heard that only virginal maidens ever got to see unicorns. I was so jealous. Guess I got thestugh in the end.¡± The unicorn gave Randel what he might have called a ¡°knowing look¡± if it weren¡¯t an animal. ¡°You can¡¯t know I¡¯m a virgin,¡± he told the creature, feeling his cheeks burn. The unicorn snorted and turned, beginning to walk away. Randel watched it disappear into the trees. Then he smiled to himself. This was quite an experience. ¡°Oh no¡­ I¡¯m covered in blood and I don¡¯t have anything to show for it,¡± he realized, ¡°Everyone¡¯s going to be so disappointed. I was kind of hoping to get that deer, too.¡± He put on his knapsack and sighed. ¡°At least I gave that unicorn another chance at life. I¡¯d hate to think of what would happen if it¡¯d gotten sick from infection.¡± Everyone had questions when he returned. Nobody seemed to want to believe that Randel had actually met a unicorn, but they didn¡¯t have a better exnation for how he ended up covered in silver blood. He was going to be dealing with questions about this for weeks toe, but at least it had distracted them from the fact that he had returned empty-handed. ¡°I¡¯m never going to get these clothes clean,¡± he realized that night, inspecting the damage to his tunic. ¡°At least you got a story out of it,¡± Morris told him. ¡°I guess.¡± Randel felt a little warm, but it wasn¡¯t nerves from being around Morris. His body was tingling for some reason. He couldn¡¯t suppress a yawn. Some sleep sounded pretty good right now. Slipping into just a clean pair of pants, Randel climbed into bed and wrapped himself up in his nket. There was a pounding in his head. After a few moments, his breathing becamebored. ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ feel¡­¡± Randel seemed to slide into a nightmare. He was thrashing, and something was trying to hold him down. For some reason, Randel¡¯s entire body burned and itched. He couldn¡¯t open his eyes no matter how much he wanted the horror to end. Finally, it was over. Randel¡¯s eyes burst open and he gasped for air. He wasn¡¯t in his bunkhouse anymore. This was a private room with stone walls with a nice bed and a few assorted pieces of furniture. That must mean he was in the Grand Hall, the chief¡¯s home and ce of work in the middle of town. ¡°Great,¡± he croaked, ¡°Exactly where I wanted to¡­ what¡¯s wrong with my voice?¡± His hair was in his eyes, wet from all the sweating he¡¯d done in his sleep. But it was¡­ wrong. Too long. He grabbed a clump in his hands and whimpered. It came out as a high pitched whine. Randel felt weak. But he wasn¡¯t going to just sit here. Throwing off the nket, though, made his breath catch in his throat. He wasn¡¯t wearing anything but the pair of pants hanging loosely onto his hips. There was a pair of breasts hanging from his chest. Randel gulped and squeezed his legs together. There was nothing there. He¡¯d been transformed into a woman. Randel screamed. 2. The Wolf’s Cave 2. The Wolf¡¯s Cave Randel heard the door fling open, but he ¡ª she? Was she really a woman now? ¡ª had closed his eyes and started iling around. He could feel people grab him and hold him down, but didn¡¯t give up. If it took all his might, Randel would wake up from this nightmare. Eventually he¡­ she gave up and started to cry. Someone let go of her and Randel curled up into a ball. After a moment, she started to sob. Randel¡¯s breath caught in her throat, and she looked up to see two people. One was a woman with big owl eyes and blemished skin that he recognized as Aldith, the local witch. The other was arge man with a crooked nose and a curly brown beard: the vige chief Hann. Randel gulped, then sat up, clutching the nket to cover her bare chest. ¡°Is he okay?¡± Hann asked. ¡°I can check,¡± Aldith replied. She brought up her hands and let them hover over Randel, then seemed to slide into a trance as she began muttering. Someone new asked, ¡°Is he awake?¡± Randel groaned. Morris and several other guys, along with Rohesia, were standing in the doorway and watching her. Even the witch¡¯s freckle-covered assistant was there. They could all see Randel, and she was ashamed to be seen in this state. ¡°How do you feel, Randel?¡± Hann asked. ¡°A little sick,¡± Randel admitted. ¡°Aldith is going to fix you real quick.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­ father,¡± she muttered. Before the conversation could continue, Aldith shook her head and opened her big eyes again. ¡°He¡¯s physically stable, just ill,¡± Aldith dered, ¡°His body must have been weakened by the transformation. He¡¯ll be okay once the fever works its way out of his system.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you make medicine to help him?¡± Hann demanded. Aldith nodded, stopping to think for a moment. ¡°I should have something by tomorrow,¡± she decided, ¡°Stace and I will need to collect fresh ingredients.¡± ¡°Make sure you have it by then,¡± Hann told her. Then turning to Randel he said, ¡°You¡¯ll stay here until you¡¯re better and back to normal.¡± Randel just nodded, afraid to speak up against her father. ¡°So he¡­ she¡¯s¡­ they¡¯re going to be okay, right?¡± Rohesia asked. ¡°Certainly,¡± Aldith assured them. Randel could see her friends physically rx. Aldith gestured for Stace to follow her and they left together. Some of the guys also left, but Morris and Rohesia stayed behind. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Randel,¡± Morris said, ¡°The witch is a little crazy, but she knows her stuff and she¡¯s going to get you back to normal quickly.¡± ¡°Trust me, we¡¯ll miss you,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°Our hunts aren¡¯t going to be nearly as sessful without you. I need you, kid.¡± Hann waved them away, and the two slipped out, leaving Randel alone with her father. He started talking to her, but Randel¡¯s eyes were heavy. She felt like the world was spinning. Aldith had been right: she was still pretty sick. ¡°Can I have a shirt?¡± she murmured. Her father answered, but Randel had already closed her eyes. She grunted in reply and fell back against the straw pillow. In a moment, she was unconscious again. By the next day, Randel felt well enough to get out to bed and walk around the room, bracing herself against the table to help her stand up. She was wearing a in cotton shirt with her loose-fitting pants now, and in the mirror she looked like a child wearing clothes that were too big for her. Randel didn¡¯t want to leave her room out of fear of running into her father again. But eventually her growling stomach convinced Randel to step out into the hallway and head to the kitchen. The cook was already there, ving over the hot stove, but promised to prepare her something real quick and bid her to sit down. There was a small wooden table in the kitchen that the staff usually ate at, and Randel had often eaten with them growing up. The rest of the room was awash with the smell of dried herbs and cooking meat that must have soaked into the woodwork of the room over time. ¡°Thank you,¡± she muttered to the cook when he ced her food down in front of her. It was just soup, but the meal gave Randel a lot of strength. And she¡¯d need that, too. She was only halfway through the meal when Hann entered the kitchen and started talking to the cook. Even though Hann normally ate in his private dining room, he sat down with a te of venison across from Randel. Hann looked like a wolf. It wasn¡¯t just the hair. At every moment, he was intimidating, almost predatory. Randel couldn¡¯t bring herself to look at him most of the time. Talking to him was simply impossible. How could you really be on equal terms with somebody as domineering as Hann? ¡°You need to get back to bed when you¡¯re done,¡± he growled. ¡°I¡¯d like to get some fresh air,¡± Randel whispered. ¡°It¡¯s not safe for you to go outside until Aldith can fix whatever is wrong with you. You¡¯ll understand once your fever breaks and you can think clearly again.¡± Randel nodded, and chanced a nce up at her father. Hann was starting right at her. His brow was furled, and it was clear that he was having a difficult time epting what was right in front of him. It was hard for Randel too, and the feeling of being caged didn¡¯t help. ¡°You¡¯ll get through this,¡± Hann insisted, ¡°And then you¡¯ll be back on the path you were walking.¡± She kept nodding. It was easier to just agree. Hann didn¡¯t need to know that she had no idea what it was she was supposed to be chasing after. It would just disappoint him. Worse, it might make him upset. ¡°I think I¡¯m full,¡± Randel said, pushing the bowl away from her, ¡°Do you want this?¡± Hann watched her for a moment, then nodded slowly. Randel continued, ¡°I¡¯m going back to bed.¡± ¡°Good. Get some sleep. You shouldn¡¯t be walking around until you¡¯re better.¡± ¡°Alright, father.¡± When she got to her room, Randel consideredtching the door like she used to do growing up. But if she got real sick again, nobody would be able to get in to help her. She¡¯d have to leave it unlocked. Randel curled up in bed and wrapped her arms around her knees. Then she started to cry. Why was she such a coward? All she had to do was look him in the eye and speak firmly. What was wrong with her? Her sleep was restless, and Randel couldn¡¯t stop tossing and turning. Sometimes she¡¯d wake up, but her fever was so bad that she could barely see. At one point, Randel thought she saw her father standing over her and let out a terrified squeak. Eventually, she found rest. When Randel properly awoke again, she was covered in sweat. Her breathing wasbored. She was hungry again. After another short meal, the cook brought her back to her room so she could return to bed. Randel was grateful for the help. Finally, Aldith returned. ¡°Drink this,¡± she said, bringing a potion to Randel¡¯s lips. Randel drank greedily, downing the whole potion in just a few gulps. ¡°You should start to feel better by tomorrow.¡± ¡°Thank you, owldy,¡± Randel muttered. When she realized what she¡¯d said, Randel felt her face burn. But she could swear that she heard Aldith chuckle a little bit. Aldithid Randel down and pulled the nkets over her so she could finish sleeping. When Randel stirred again, she was alone, but there were noises nearby. She didn¡¯t feel any better. Not much time must have passed. Randel strained her ears, trying to pick up the muffled sounds from the other room. ¡°I need answers, witch!¡± That would be her father. ¡°I¡¯ve tried to exin to you, Hann, understanding magic takes time. Stace has gathered the story from Randel¡¯s colleagues, and I¡¯m fairly confident I know what happened. But I still need to consult some old references to be certain. Surely some patience is worth being certain that your child will be okay?¡± ¡°He¡¯ll be okay when you have a solution to how he looks. Remember that you swore an oath to serve this vige. You had better be able to live up to the promises you made.¡± ¡°Hann, I have been serving this vige for most of my life. I¡¯ve never been known to disappoint.¡± ¡°See to it that you don¡¯t start.¡± Randel felt her face burning again. Why couldn¡¯t she be like that? Aldith had no problem standing up to Hann no matter how aggressive he got with her. How did someone get that kind of confidence? At that point, the door opened and the freckled woman entered. ¡°Hello, Randel. My name is Stace. I¡¯m Aldith¡¯s assistant.¡± Randel grunted weakly in reply. Stace pulled up a wooden stool and sat down next to Randel¡¯s bed. For a moment, they just stared at each other. ¡°You¡¯re going to be okay,¡± Stace said, ¡°Aldith knows what she¡¯s doing, and you¡¯ll be back to your normal self in no time.¡± ¡°I hope so,¡± Randel mumbled, ¡°No offense, but I¡¯m not cut out for being a woman.¡± ¡°No offense taken. It¡¯s not for everybody. Hopefully your fever will break by tonight or tomorrow. Do you feel any better?¡± ¡°Just a little,¡± Randel admitted, ¡°Thank you. That really does help. I¡¯m d at least one person cares about me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure your friends care about you very deeply,¡± Stace said, standing up, ¡°I need to go, but I¡¯ll be back tomorrow. We should know for certain what¡¯s going on by then.¡± Randel tried to smile, but only ended up yawning. The sound of the door opening again woke Randel from her restless sleep. There was a window in the room, and when Randel woke up it was clearly getting close to dusk. She yawned and pulled herself into a sitting position to see who hade. ¡°Hey, how are you doing?¡± Morris asked softly. It was almostical watching such arge guy like Morris try to sit down on the small wooden stool. Once he finally got himself bnced, Morris shed Randel a small smile. It made her feel warmer than she already was. ¡°I feel a lot better now, thank you,¡± she replied, ¡°The fever is almost gone.¡± ¡°And do they know why you¡¯re all¡­ woman?¡± Morris asked. ¡°Not yet. But I¡¯ve got my suspicions,¡± Randel admitted, ¡°It can¡¯t be a coincidence that I encountered a unicorn the exact same day.¡± ¡°It would be the weirdest coincidence,¡± Morris agreed, ¡°But then, this whole situation is weird.¡± Randel frowned and bowed her head. ¡°Hey, no! That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Morris ced one of hisrge, rough hands on Randel¡¯s shoulder. ¡°No matter how weird this situation gets, I¡¯m going to be here for you. We¡¯re best friends, right?¡± Randel really hoped that she was already red from the fever, because she was blushing hard now. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said again, ¡°This is weird for me too.¡± ¡°It would be weird for anybody.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so d I have you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll always be here for you, Randel.¡± Morris liked women, didn¡¯t he? Randel had always assumed so, based on the things he said. Did he think she was attractive like this? Not that it mattered: she couldn¡¯t stay like this. But in another life, could they have actually been together? ¡°Morris, I¡­ do you¡­?¡± She sighed. ¡°Thank you, for everything. I feel so lucky to have a friend like you.¡± ¡°d to be appreciated,¡± Morris said, finally removing his hand from her shoulder, ¡°When you get back, you¡¯re going to have to make up for being gone. I can¡¯t do all your hunting in addition to my own, you know.¡± ¡°Sorry. I guess as far as ns to get out of work go, this one got a little out of hand.¡± ¡°Just a little.¡± Both of them startedughing. The newugh was so foreign in Randel¡¯s ears, and it highlighted just how different she really was. She frowned and curled up a little. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to get back to being myself,¡± she muttered. ¡°We¡¯re every bit as impatient,¡± Morris joked, pushing her lightly. Randel couldn¡¯t help but grin. Morris continued, ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s gettingte.¡± ¡°You have to go¡­¡± ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Morris shrugged, ¡°I need to sleep.¡± ¡°Pleasee back,¡± Randel begged, ¡°I can¡¯t bear the thought of being stuck here alone.¡± ¡°I promise I¡¯ll be back. If I don¡¯t make it back in time, tell me what the witch says is wrong with you.¡± ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know if anyone can figure out what¡¯s wrong with me,¡± Randel replied, sticking her tongue out, ¡°But I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll know why I transformed.¡± Morrisughed and hauled himself off of the little stool. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter,¡± he said. Randel stayed in her bedroom for the rest of the night and next day. Her fever had finally broken, but she was afraid to step out and get something to eat in case she ran into her father again. When Aldith returned, she brought arge book and her freckle-covered assistant with her. Morris had also showed up; he was grinning, but fidgeting nervously. Hann also squeezed into the room to watch what happened, which made Randel¡¯s heart sink. ¡°Alright,¡± Aldith said, flipping through pages until shended on one in particr, ¡°This is actually fairly simple, though a bit obscure. I¡¯d never heard of this actually happening, but knowing that a unicorn was involved did help narrow things down quite a bit.¡± ¡°Get to the point,¡± Hann growled. ¡°ording to the grimoire, unicorn blood contains magical properties that aren¡¯t fully understood. But since unicorns are symbols of femininity and fertility, it¡¯s not unheard of for unicorn blood to magically transform someone to embody those traits. Women and men alike be more feminine, fertile, a little younger in some cases. Randel looks a little younger than he did, in fact.¡± ¡°How do we fix it?¡± Hann asked brusquely. ¡°I don¡¯t know yet.¡± Hann snorted. ¡°The important thing is that there is no danger to the town. Stace, can I speak to you outside for a moment?¡± Stace nodded and the two left Randel alone with his father and Morris. ¡°Well, at least now I know for sure,¡± Randel muttered, feeling herself tear up, ¡°But what am I supposed to do now? She doesn¡¯t know how to fix me¡­¡± ¡°Randel,¡± Morris said, kneeling down beside the bed, ¡°She¡¯ll figure it out. The witch is smart, I promise. You¡¯ll get through this. We all believe that.¡± Randel¡¯s heart fluttered a little bit, and she nodded. ¡°Thank you. That really does help.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Then a loud shout from the other room caught their attention. ¡°No way! I¡¯m not going to be a pariah for him!¡± The arguing continued, but in hushed tones so that nobody in the room could make out what they were saying. ¡°Guess they don¡¯t get along as well as we do,¡± Morris said quietly. Randel giggled, but caught sight of her father ring at her and stopped. After another minute, Aldith and her assistant returned. Stace looked annoyed and refused to look at anyone else in the room. Aldith also looked a little upset, butposed herself quickly. Addressing Randel, she said, ¡°You need to get out of bed and back to your normal life. Since you¡¯re unused to going through life as a woman, Stace has agreed to escort you around town for a week or so until you¡¯ve adjusted.¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°He¡¯s not going anywhere,¡± Hann insisted, cutting Randel off. ¡°He can¡¯t stay in here forever, and it might take a week or two to figure out how to return him to his old form.¡± Hann snorted and folded his arms, but said no more. Aldith turned to Randel again and asked, ¡°Is this eptable to you?¡± ¡°I guess¡­¡± Randel squirmed a little. ¡°I¡¯d definitely appreciate the help.¡± Eventually, everyone left and Randel was alone again. It was kind of a relief. It sucked that she was still going to have to stay in the Grand Hall for the next few weeks. She certainly couldn¡¯t go back to her bunkhouse where all the other guys were. Sleeping soundly in a room full of guys while she looked like this would be awkward. Randel was trying to cope with the thought of living with her father again when she heard a knock on the door. She pushed her tousled brown hair out of her eyes and sat up straight. Her visitor turned out to be Rohesia. ¡°Hello Randel,¡± she said quietly, ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°A lot better,¡± she admitted, ¡°Not used to being a woman, yet, but apparently I¡¯ll have time to adjust before I can be turned back.¡± Rohesia nodded, forcing herself to smile. She sat down on the small wooden stool and said, ¡°Just don¡¯t get soft on me, okay?¡± ¡°No danger of that happening, Ro.¡± But she looked down at her hands. They were soft. Randel had lost all the callouses she used to have. It was like she was fresh and new. Rohesia continued, ¡°Since you don¡¯t know how long it will take to return you to normal, how about I give you some extra training in the mornings? You¡¯ll need to get used to how differently your body moves now. Maybe we¡¯ll even get you back into the forest before you actually get back to normal.¡± ¡°That would be great,¡± Randel agreed, ¡°It would give me something to do, at least. And a reason to get away from my father now that I¡¯m stuck here.¡± ¡°Stuck here?¡± Rohesia asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe stay with me?¡± Randel blinked. ¡°With you?¡± she asked. ¡°Yeah. I live alone. We can set up a small bed for you in the front room. I wouldn¡¯t mind and you¡¯d be close.¡± Randel could feel herself tearing up. ¡°I¡­ thank you. Thank you so much.¡± Rohesia smiled awkwardly. ¡°No crying, okay?¡± she said. ¡°Right. Sorry. I¡¯ll keep it under control, I promise.¡± Rohesia chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re stronger than you realize, Randel,¡± she said, ¡°I believe that you have what it takes to get through this, as strange as the situation is. And once you¡¯re back to normal, we can start talking about you taking over leadership of the squad.¡± Randel beamed. ¡°Are you serious?¡± she asked, sitting up straighter, ¡°Do you really mean that?¡± ¡°You have the most potential out of anyone on that squad,¡± Rohesia insisted, ¡°And you know how to be a leader. All you need is a chance to prove yourself. If not for this, I was about to offer you the chance to lead the squad for this week to see how well you did.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Randel cried, closing her eyes to quell the tears, ¡°This means so much to me, Ro.¡± ¡°You need something to do with your life,¡± she replied, ¡°Unless you¡¯ve reconsidered taking your father¡¯s mantle when he gives it up?¡± ¡°Hell no!¡± Randel cried, then winced, ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s just¡­ you know how I feel about the idea of leading the entire town. A squad of hunters: that¡¯s more appropriate for someone like me.¡± Rohesia chuckled. ¡°You seem like you know what you want after all,¡± she mused, then stood up, ¡°I hope to see you moved in by tonight. We can start practicing tomorrow.¡± 3. Strength of a Bear 3. Strength of a Bear Randel¡¯s heart was pounding in her ears. She was standing in front of her bunkhouse. There were voicesing from inside. Was it hot out here? Randel was sweating profusely. ¡°I can do this,¡± she told herself, steeling her nerves. The door opened with a long creak, and everyone inside fell silent. Morris wasn¡¯t here, but all eyes were on Randel. None of the other guys wanted to say anything. Randel gulped and took a shaky step inside. ¡°I¡¯m just here to collect my stuff,¡± she mumbled. A few guys nodded. None of them would look at her. They remained silent while Randel packed her nket and bow into herrge wooden chest and heaved it up off the ground. Randel was shaking from nerves, but it was also taking more effort to lift the trunk than it used to. Nobody offered to help, but Randel didn¡¯t want any. She took a deep breath and sighed in relief once she was out the door. Things were still going to be awkward when she returned, but that was at least a week away and not worth worrying too much about just yet. ¡°It¡¯s not that far to Ro''s house,¡± Randel told herself, ¡°I don¡¯t need help to get there.¡± The vige had never felt very big to Randel when she was a young boy. But suddenly having to haul a heavy chest all the way to Rohesia¡¯s home was a new perspective. It wouldn¡¯t have even been a problem if Randel had the strength she used to, but in addition to removing all her scars and callouses the magic had stripped Randel of her hard-earned muscle. She was going to have to start training all over again. ¡°No I won¡¯t,¡± she reminded herself, ¡°I¡¯m going to be turned back to normal in a week or two. If other women can live like this, so can I.¡± She passed by several people on her way to Rohesia¡¯s hut. It was gettingte in the day and people were mostly headed home, but Randel got plenty of stares. She found herself sweating again. Were they staring because they recognized her or because she was lugging arge wooden chest across town? Probably the former, and it made her want to vanish. ¡°Do you need some help?¡± some man asked. ¡°Please!¡± Randel squeaked, struggling not to drop the trunk. As they walked, the man asked some questions of her, and Randel tried to keep it to one- or two-word answers whenever possible. He seemed to get the hint and gave up on conversation. Randel kept her head down, ashamed. She should have been able to carry her own things. ¡°Thank you,¡± she mumbled when they arrived outside Rohesia¡¯s home. The man nodded and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, miss,¡± before turning and walking away. Randel felt herself blush a little again. He was awfully polite to her. It felt nice. Nobody had ever called her¡­ She shook her head and knocked rapidly on the door. ¡°About time!¡± The door swung open and Rohesia stood there with a broad smile. ¡°I¡¯ve got a bed set up for you already,¡± she said, lifting Randel¡¯s trunk with ease, ¡°Come inside.¡± Rohesia had set a small straw mattress and pillow close to the front door. It didn¡¯t give Randel any privacy, but it was still a ce to sleep away from her father. Rohesia sat the chest by the mattress and turned to face Randel. ¡°I¡¯ll need to talk to some people tomorrow about getting enough food for the both of us. Otherwise, I think everything is taken care of. We¡¯ll start your training in the morning, before I have to head out with the squad to hunt.¡± ¡°Thank you for this, Ro,¡± Randel said, close to tears, ¡°You don¡¯t know how much this means to me.¡± Rohesia looked uneasy. ¡°Like I said, no crying,¡± she said, ¡°Get to sleep soon. You probably won¡¯t be able to sleep through me making breakfast, and I get up early.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Randel said again softly. ¡°Goodnight, Randel.¡± She retreated to her own room. Randel pulled the nket out of her chest andid down, still fully dressed. For a while, she just stared at the antlers and hunting bows lining the walls, lost in thought. There was no telling what the next week would bring, but she was grateful just to have a ce to sleep. Rohesia had been right about Randel not being able to sleep through breakfast. Randel had difficulty just sleeping through the night. Abination of her unfamiliar body and uncertain situation kept her mind reeling. So she found herself yawning as she scarfed down breakfast. ¡°As soon as you¡¯re ready, we can begin your training,¡± Rohesia said, pulling one of her heavier bows down from the wall. ¡°I¡¯m ready now,¡± Randel said, ¡°Let me just wash this te.¡± She had changed out of her clothes from the night before. Her shirt, which used to sit just a little loose, was practically a tunic on her now, and she had to keep her pants up with a belt or they¡¯d fall off. Randel couldn¡¯t even wear her own shoes; she was borrowing a pair from Rohesia and they were still a little too big for her. ¡°Do you really think,¡± Randel continued, as she finished scrubbing her te, ¡°that I¡¯ll be able to join the squad on a hunt before I¡¯m changed back?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see how well you do.¡± Rohesia brought Randel out to the hunting cabin. Several archery targets were set up for the hunters to practice on. Randel had blisters on her feet but refused toin. She was grateful that Rohesia was helping her at all. Rohesia disappeared into the cabin and returned with a quiver of arrows for Randel. Randel took her normal position and pulled an arrow from the quiver. As soon as she drew the string, though, Randel could tell that something was wrong. It just felt¡­ off. Randel took a long, slow, deep breath and released the arrow. It few wide, missing the target entirely. She could feel the hair stand up on the back of her neck. When Randel turned to look at Rohesia, she was shaking her head and frowning. ¡°Your form is all off,¡± she said, ¡°I guess it makes sense. Your body is¡­ smaller now. I just hoped we wouldn¡¯t have to start over from the beginning.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll figure it out, I promise,¡± Randel assured Rohesia. ¡°With my help, you certainly will,¡± Rohesia told her, stepping forward to show her what to do. With her prior training to draw from, Randel had an easier time than aplete beginner would. She had difficulty aiming now that she was shorter, and the bowstring fought her a lot harder now that she wasn¡¯t as strong. Still, she managed to hit the side of the target with just a few more attempts. ¡°Do better!¡± Rohesia barked, ¡°You can¡¯t graze an animal and expect it to do anything but get away!¡± Randel took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. Ro could be a tough teacher, but that was why her students were the best. With time, Randel must have forgotten how intense it was, because this felt harsher than she remembered. Unless she had simply gotten more easily frazzled since her transformation. ¡°Watch again,¡± Rohesia said, drawing her bowstring effortlessly and releasing the arrow in one smooth motion. Naturally, her arrow found its mark close to the center of the target. Randel couldn¡¯t help but smile. Rohesia wasn¡¯t arge woman, but she had the strength of a wild bear, and was tough enough to match. Randel was lucky to have her as a teacher, but there was a pit forming in her stomach. She was having so much difficulty that she shouldn¡¯t, that Rohesia didn¡¯t. She drew her bow again. ¡°Pull the string harder!¡± Rohesia told her. ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t.¡± Rohesia cried, ¡°I don¡¯t believe you, Randel! Harder!¡± Randel¡¯s hand slipped and the string snapped, jerking the bow out of her hands. She closed her eyes and sniffed, trying not to cry. Then she buried her head in her hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m not strong enough.¡± After a moment, she heard Rohesia walk up to her, and felt hands on her shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re strong enough, Randel. I wouldn¡¯t be here if I didn¡¯t believe that. You wouldn¡¯t be my pick to rece me as the squad leader if I didn¡¯t believe that. You¡¯re going to get through this, I promise. But it¡¯s going to be hard.¡± She paused. ¡°Are you going to be okay?¡± Randel nodded, but wouldn¡¯t lift her head. She didn¡¯t want Rohesia to see her covered in tears. Rohesia let go of Randel. ¡°That¡¯s enough for today. We¡¯ll pick this up tomorrow.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Randel. You¡¯re just starting over. You already know what you¡¯re really capable of. We just need to nurture that strength. Now run along.¡± Randel nodded and wiped her face clean. She passed the quiver back to Rohesia and took a deep breath, then smiled weakly. They nodded briefly to each other and Randel turned to head back into town. It wasn¡¯t long before Randel found herself at the edge of the forest again, this time standing in front of a small stone hut with a smoking chimney. This was Aldith¡¯s home, which she shared with Stace. Aldith had asked her toe so Stace could get started helping her adjust to her new, temporary life. Randel knocked with a shaky hand. There was a moment where nothing happened, then Randel heard atch moving. The door opened just a crack and a young woman peaked out to see who had arrived. Discovering it was Randel, Stace scowled and opened the door further. ¡°There¡¯s not much room inside. I can¡¯t invite you in,¡± she said tersely. Randel peaked around Stace to get a look inside the one-room building. It did indeed look cramped. The ce was filled with clutter: books, papers, bowls, herbs hanging from the ceiling. There was a cauldron on the fire, so it must have been sweltering. Aldith was nose-deep a book, but set it aside when she saw who had arrived and walked up. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here,¡± she said, ¡°I think having an escort will be a lot of good for you. You¡¯ll definitely feel better if you have someone to talk to while everyone adjusts to the new you.¡± Turning to Stace, she continued, ¡°He¡¯s in a very vulnerable position. Please take this responsibility seriously.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am,¡± Stace mumbled. ¡°Good. Now go on, find something to do.¡± Stace folded her arms and started walking towards the town gate. Randel followed, not sure what she should say. This was aplete stranger and clearly Stace did not want to be here with her. ¡°You need clothes that fit. We¡¯re going to visit the tailor.¡± ¡°Oh, um, actually, I really need shoes. These don¡¯t fit me very well and my feet hurt.¡± Stace grunted in reply. Randel scowled. Why was she being so standoffish? Stace could at least try to act cordial. When they arrived at the tailor¡¯s workshop, Stace knocked briefly on the front door and entered. Randel followed, gazing around the shop. Shelves around the walls were filled with fabrics dyed various colors. Several counters were set up with pieces of fabric and tools scattered about. Half a dozen wooden mannequins in various stages of dress were gathered toward the back of the shop. The tailor, arger middle-aged man, was working on one of these mannequins when Stace and Randel entered. He stood up and walked over to greet the two of them. Randel was immediately struck by how warm his chestnut eyes were. ¡°Hello Miss Stace,¡± he said, ¡°And who¡¯s this? I don¡¯t recognize her.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you again, Hamon,¡± Stace replied with surprise warmth, ¡°This is Randel, the chief¡¯s son. You heard what happened to him?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ yes. You want me to make new clothes for him?¡± Stace nodded, but Randel cleared her throat and replied, ¡°Actually, if you have any spares lying around that are roughly my size, I can take those. I don¡¯t want to be a burden.¡± ¡°Nonsense, boy. Come here and we¡¯ll start measuring.¡± Randel squirmed a little bit. Stace red at her and gestured for Randel to follow the instructions. So Randel gulped and tried to steel her nerves. She stood where Hamon instructed and he started using a rope to measure various parts of her body. It wasn¡¯t like she¡¯d never been fitted before, but this somehow felt way more intimate. Normally, Randel¡¯s body felt like something that was distantly present, as if it weren¡¯t really connected to her. But that disconnect was gone now. This very much felt like her body was part of her now and it was nerve-wracking. Is this what most people felt all the time, or was there something wrong with Randel now? ¡°Breathe, boy,¡± the tailor said, ¡°We¡¯re almost done.¡± Randel let out the breath she hadn¡¯t known she was holding. ¡°I know that this must be ufortable for you,¡± Hamon continued, ¡°If I suddenly had to be in the body of a woman, I¡¯d be unhappy too.¡± ¡°That part isn¡¯t so bad, actually,¡± Randel admitted quietly, ¡°It¡¯s still my body, either way. I¡¯m more worried about how other people are going to react to me.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Hamon stopped measuring and finished jotting down his notes. ¡°Well, it¡¯s good to hear that you aren¡¯t miserable, I suppose.¡± ¡°Just nervous.¡± The tailor nodded and continued, ¡°I could have a basic set of shirt and pants by tomorrow, but for now if you want I can indeed spare a few extra clothes. Take a look in those trunks over there and see if anything fits you.¡± ¡°Thank you very much, Mister Hamon.¡± ¡°Just Hamon, boy.¡± ¡°Please, call me Randel.¡± Hamon nodded and gestured toward the chests in the room, inviting Randel to search. Randel grabbed a few things that looked her size and slid into the other room to try clothes on. Finally, she managed to find a in blue wool shirt that was only a little tight on her and a pair of hide pants that just needed to be rolled up a little bit to fit her. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± she said, emerging back into the main room. ¡°Great,¡± Stace said, ¡°Let¡¯s see if the cobbler is busy.¡± Visiting the cobbler was a less harrowing experience, if only because Randel wasn¡¯t having her entire body measured. The cobbler promised to have something in a couple of days. Randel groaned at the thought of her blisters getting worse before she had proper fitting shoes again. As they walked through the vige, Randel was keenly aware of everyone¡¯s eyes on her. She couldn¡¯t help but try and make herself small every time she caught someone staring. It kept her so preupied that she didn¡¯t pay attention to where they were going. ¡°Come on,¡± Stace said, entering the tavern before Randel could protest. The tavern was dim and reeked of mead. At this time of day, there weren¡¯t many people around, and Randel sighed in relief. Stace was at the bar, talking to the green-eyed bartender about their own age when Randel took a seat next to her. ¡°Why are we here?¡± she demanded. ¡°You need to get used to being seen,¡± Stace said tersely, ¡°I¡¯m only your escort for the first week. You can¡¯t be this ufortable forever.¡± Randel snapped, ¡°I¡¯m only ufortable because everyone else is! If people treated me like normal, I wouldn¡¯t have a problem!¡± Stace grunted in reply. The bartender handed her a drink while Randel sat deep in thought. Eventually, Randel got herself a drink as well, and it seemed to help her nerves. ¡°Hey,¡± she began, ¡°Do you think people would be morefortable around me if I acted more like a woman?¡± Stace raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Is that what you want?¡± ¡°Might as well,¡± Randel replied with a shrug, ¡°I have to get used to this, don¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Alright¡­ first off, sit up straight.¡± Randel did so. ¡°You¡¯re serious about this?¡± Stace asked. ¡°Alright.¡± Stace had Randel stand up, then showed her how to hold herself and how to walk, as well as the proper way to hold her arms to make herself look more feminine. She gave Randel some pointers on how to act more feminine in conversation withouting across as too submissive. Randel focused on the lesson with the same intensity she brought to learning the bow. ¡°Now we just need to test you out,¡± Stace finally said. She led Randel to a group of men and women who had entered the tavern recently. ¡°Hello,¡± she said, ¡°May we join you? I¡¯m Stace and this is Randel.¡± The group made some room for the two of them to sit, and Randel took a deep breath to steady her nerves. ¡°Randel?¡± someone asked, ¡°The chief¡¯s son? The one who was cursed?¡± Holding onto what she just learned, Randel smiled softly and replied, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. Though I don¡¯t think I¡¯d call it a curse. Just a temporary setback.¡± Some of the people at the table shifted ufortably, and Randel¡¯s heart sank. What was she doing wrong? She was trying her best! The conversation continued, but Randel didn¡¯t say anything more. asionally someone would cast a nervous nce at her, and Randel¡¯s heart would break all over again. She eventually gave up and took her drink back to the bar. Stace followed her. ¡°I was afraid of this,¡± Stace mumbled. ¡°Why do they hate me?¡± Randel asked. ¡°They don¡¯t,¡± Stace said, ¡°They just aren¡¯t used to you, yet.¡± ¡°Then why do you hate me?¡± Stace sighed, then replied, ¡°I don¡¯t hate you either, Randel. I just¡­ have a job already. This isn¡¯t what I¡¯m supposed to be doing. Honestly, I think people see me as aughingstock for having to shepherd you around.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°You¡¯re sorry?¡± Stace asked. ¡°Yeah. If I hadn¡¯t transformed, you wouldn¡¯t be here.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡± ¡°I still feel bad for you.¡± Stace grunted in reply. ¡°Thank you,¡± Randel said, ¡°for trying to teach me how to be a girl. Even if it didn¡¯t work.¡± A new, gruff voice asked, ¡°Teaching you what?¡± Randel¡¯s stomach turned as she turned around to face her father. ¡°Randel,¡± Hann growled, ¡°I recognize that you need someone to help escort you around town. But never forget that you are a man and must act like one.¡± Then, to Randel¡¯s horror, Hann raised his voice and addressed the entire tavern. ¡°I expect everyone in this vige to recognize my son for the man he always has been!¡± he cried out, ¡°Anybody who dares to demean him by treating my son as a woman will have to answer to me!¡± Randel swore quietly, covering her mouth with her hands. Hann gave onest ring look at her before turning around and swiftly leaving the tavern. Stace ced a hand on Randel¡¯s shoulder and Randel groaned. ¡°How did he even find us?¡± Randel asked quietly. ¡°Just bad luck,¡± Stace answered, ¡°But don¡¯t mind him. I¡¯ll order us more drinks and¡ª¡± ¡°No!¡± Randel cried, surprising even herself, ¡°I just want to go back home.¡± Stace was quiet for a moment, then nodded. They left the tavern silently side by side. Randel folded her arms and bowed her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your father.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± Randel said, squinting so she wouldn¡¯t cry. ¡°But like you said, I still feel bad about it.¡± Randel managed to smile a tiny bit, then replied, ¡°Thank you for today.¡± ¡°Well, we¡¯d better get used to each other,¡± Stace replied, smiling softly. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do this,¡± Randel admitted, a few tears running down her cheeks, ¡°It feels like nobody is ever going to befortable around me again.¡± Stace assured her, ¡°They¡¯ll change with time. And I believe that you¡¯re strong enough to face this hurdle.¡± ¡°You barely know me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s how strong you are,¡± Stace said, winking, ¡°I can tell just from a single day.¡± Randel chuckled. ¡°Thank you. That helps.¡± Stace held out her arms to offer a hug. Randel could feel heat rising in her cheeks; nobody had offered to hug her since she was a small child. She epted the gesture. 4. Venomous Snakes 4. Venomous Snakes ¡°Alright, we¡¯re done here.¡± Randel sighed and bit her quivering lip. Her archery hadn¡¯t improved since the day before. If anything, she was having more difficulty. Her arms were sore and Rohesia kept turning up the pressure. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she croaked. ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry,¡± Rohesia told her, ¡°Just do better tomorrow. Oh, Morris is here.¡± Randel took a sharp breath and spun around. Morris was walking up with his bow in his hands. He grinned at Randel, and Randel smiled back at him. ¡°I guess I¡¯mte,¡± Morris said, ¡°I was hoping to get some extra training in with the two of you.¡± Rohesia replied, ¡°I have to go, actually, but you¡¯re free to stay.¡± ¡°I think I¡¯m done,¡± Randel muttered, setting her bow down against the wall of the hunting cabin, ¡°But I¡¯ll wait around if you¡¯re okay with me watching.¡± ¡°Please. I¡¯d hate to do this alone.¡± Randel handed her quiver over to Morris and sat down on a small log. It was good to be off her blisters for a few moments. Morris took a spot in front of the target and fired a shot, hitting the target with ease. ¡°It¡¯s weird without you at the bunkhouse,¡± Morris told her. ¡°Is everyone still very ufortable about this?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Randel sighed. ¡°No, I expected as much.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about that,¡± Morris said, ¡°You still think that you could haul an entire deer home by yourself?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Randel replied, ¡°If only to spite you.¡± Morrisughed, and Randel¡¯s heart fluttered a little. ¡°How¡¯s the training going?¡± Randel grunted and folded her arms. ¡°That bad?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing wrong.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Morris said, letting another arrow fly, ¡°You¡¯ll get it soon enough. You¡¯re the best of us, remember?¡± ¡°You were right. Ro wants to make me the squad leader.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Morris turned to face her. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. See? I told you!¡± Randel giggled, then asked, ¡°How long have we known each other?¡± ¡°Since we were small boys,¡± Morris replied, drawing another arrow. ¡°But we weren¡¯t really close friends until we started training together, right?¡± ¡°I guess not. Why?¡± ¡°I guess I¡¯m just thankful that we¡¯re such good friends.¡± Her stomach was in knots and Randel was squirming. It was getting hard to ignore how she felt for Morris. Morris stopped firing and gave Randel a long, curious nce. Then he grinned and her heart started to melt. ¡°I¡¯m here for you, Randel,¡± he said. ¡°So¡­¡± she began, ¡°What do you think of us spending more time together? After you get back from huntingter today, we could hang out at the tavern?¡± Morris frowned and drew another arrow. ¡°I¡¯d like to, but I promised Judd and the others that we¡¯d get together tonight. Unless you¡¯d like toe?¡± ¡°Um, no,¡± Randel replied, ¡°I think that would be too awkward. But can we pick a day where we just hang out for a bit and talk?¡± ¡°Like right now, you mean?¡± ¡°Yeah, I guess. I just mean¡­¡± Her heart was pounding in her ears. Was she really going to do this? How did someone ask a guy to go out with them? ¡°What?¡± Morris asked, ¡°Like a date?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Randel cried before she could stop herself. For a moment, both of them were still. Then Morris startedughing. Randel felt her face burn, and her shoulders dropped. ¡°That¡¯s a good one, Randel,¡± Morris said, still chortling and drawing another arrow, ¡°Can you imagine what people would say?¡± ¡°Right. That¡¯d be ridiculous,¡± Randel muttered, standing up, ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve got to meet Stace. I¡¯ll see you around, I suppose.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Thanks for hanging out. Sorry to leave you like this,¡± Randel said, picking up her bow. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I needed the practice anyway. But I¡¯ll admit it¡¯s kind of weird¡­ seeing you like this.¡± ¡°I bet it is¡­¡± she replied, not turning to look at him. ¡°I mean¡­ you act differently. Almost like a real girl. It¡¯s not something I ever expected from you. I¡¯m not sure how to feel about it.¡± Randel turned around, raising an eyebrow. Morris was wearing a slightly concerned expression. She smiled softly. ¡°Stace showed me a few things. It¡¯s mostly just so people are morefortable around me,¡± she said, striding up with a feminine gait, ¡°Is that okay?¡± ¡°I¡­ guess?¡± Morris replied, ncing away, ¡°You look morefortable, at least.¡± ¡°It feels morefortable,¡± Randel admitted, her face starting to burn again, ¡°Can I get a hug before I go?¡± Morris blinked in surprise, then he started to blush as well. ¡°Sure. Why not?¡± he said, raising his arm uncertainly. Randel stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Morris¡¯s broad torso. He tensed up for a moment, then wrapped his free arm around her back. Randel breathed in his scent for a moment, then stepped back. ¡°Thank you for being here for me,¡± she said. ¡°Of course, Randel.¡± Randel walked away with a warm feeling in her stomach. Morris hadughed off the idea of going on a date, but he¡¯d given her a hug. Maybe their friendship could still go ces if she took it slow. When Randel got to Aldith¡¯s hut, she was a little nervous. But Stace didn¡¯t seem as bothered to see her today. The two bid a brief goodbye to Aldith and they started walking toward town together. The silence between them was a lot morefortable than the day before. ¡°Is that your bow?¡± Stace asked. ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t have time to drop it off at Ro¡¯s house, so I¡¯m stuck carrying it,¡± Randel exined. ¡°Are you ready to get back to hunting?¡± Randel nodded, replying, ¡°A break is nice, but it will be nice to feel like I¡¯m contributing to the vige again.¡± ¡°I understand that. I also can¡¯t wait to get back to learning magic.¡± ¡°That must be fun. So, hey¡­¡± Randel rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°Can we go back to the tailor today?¡± ¡°Oh, sure. Hamon probably has the first outfit done already. We should also stop by the cobbler and see if she¡¯s got your new boots ready.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ also¡­¡± Randel gulped and started wringing her hands, ¡°I though¡­ I figure if I¡¯m going to be stuck like this for a while¡­ I kind of want at least one dress like every other woman in town has.¡± Stace stopped, and so did Randel¡¯s heart for a moment. ¡°A dress? Are you sure?¡± Randel¡¯s heart began to race as she studied Stace¡¯s expression. ¡°No, it¡¯s a stupid idea,¡± she muttered. ¡°It¡¯s not stupid,¡± Stace said, smiling softly, ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s go there first.¡± Randel had to force herself to breathe as she followed Stace. Her head was light. Why had she said anything? When they entered the shop, Hamon was cutting a roll of fabric on the counter. When he saw who it was, he grinned and held up a finger to indicate they should wait. Then he walked over to a nearby trunk and pulled out arge paper package ¡°These should fit you just fine,¡± Hamon said, dropping the in brown package into Randel¡¯s outstretched hands. ¡°Actually,¡± Stace said, ¡°There is something else we¡¯d like to ask of you.¡± ¡°Oh? Name it, miss.¡± Stace nced over at Randel, who groaned and lowered her head. ¡°Randel would like you to make him a dress to wear,¡± Stace continued. ¡°He would, now?¡± Randel chanced a nce upward. But Hamon didn¡¯t look angry or disgusted like she¡¯d expected. He was nodding slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll add it to the list of things I¡¯m working on for you.¡± ¡°You will?¡± Randel asked in the smallest voice possible. ¡°I will.¡± ¡°T-thank you so much!¡± Randel cried, hugging the package close to her chest. Randel was positively giddy as she followed Stace back to the tavern. It was nearly empty at this time of the day, so the two were able to find a private spot at the bar with space for Randel to put down her package. She tore at the packaging a little bit, getting a glimpse of the green wool shirt inside. She took a deep breath and looked around the tavern. Even though she was in public, Randel was a lot more at ease than the day before. Maybe she was going to be okay after all. ¡°So Stace,¡± she began, ¡°What are you learning from Aldith?¡± ¡°Magic,¡± Stace replied simply, taking her drink from the bartender. ¡°Okay¡­ what do you normally do for fun?¡± Stace shrugged, admitting, ¡°I have some friends I spend time with.¡± ¡°Can I meet them?¡± Stace paused, then said, ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Randel was a little annoyed. ¡°How old are you?¡± ¡°Is that relevant?¡± Randel sighed. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to get to know you,¡± she exined. ¡°There¡¯s not much to know about me. I work with Aldith, I¡¯m learning to do magic.¡± Randel groaned a little and took a drink from her tankard. Then Stace asked, ¡°Are you enjoying being a woman, Randel?¡± Randel choked on her drink and started coughing. She sat her drink down and covered her mouth. Stace reached out and ced a hand on Randel¡¯s shoulder, but Randel pulled away. ¡°Huh?¡± she asked. Stace cleared her throat and continued, ¡°Well, you really seemed to like when I taught you to act like a woman, and you¡¯re clearly trying to hold onto that stuff. And now you want a dress of your own. I¡¯m curious to know how much you actually like it.¡± Randel gulped and stared into her drink. ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that,¡± she said, ¡°Like I said, I just want to make everyonefortable. I¡¯m really only doing this for appearances.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Stace frowned. To Randel¡¯s surprise, she almost looked disappointed. But in an instant it was gone and she was smiling again. ¡°As long as it¡¯s what you want,¡± she said. Randel wanted to ask what she meant, but her gut told her that she wouldn¡¯t like where this conversation went. She let the issue drop and focused on her meal. Randel just wanted to enjoy her time with Stace. The next morning, Randel was giddy. She almost had a dress of her own, and that kept her in good spirits as she walked to the archery range with Rohesia. Even the fact that she was struggling with her archery couldn¡¯t make her feel bad right now. ¡°Alright,¡± Rohesia said, thrusting a quiver into Randel¡¯s arms, ¡°Let¡¯s get started.¡± Randel gulped and held her bow in a quivering hand. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and shook her head. Today was going to be different. She pulled an arrow, strung her bow, and lowered her head to aim. Her whole body felt a little sore. Randel¡¯s bnce was off. Even her arm was shaking from the strain of holding the bowstring back. The arrow flew andnded on the edge of the target. ¡°Again!¡± Rohesia barked, ¡°Faster. You¡¯re taking too long between each shot!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Randel cried, groaning in frustration. Rohesia pushed Randel through the whole quiver. Randel was grateful for a small break to recover the arrows. But Rohesia wasn¡¯t done. ¡°What¡¯s going on in your head, Randel?¡± she demanded, ¡°You¡¯re better than this. Do you really think I¡¯m going to let you back into the field when you¡¯re this bad?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± Randel whimpered, hanging her head as she walked back. ¡°Why are you walking like that?¡± Rohesia asked. ¡°Huh?¡± Randel stopped and tried to figure out what Rohesia was talking about that. ¡°The past two days,¡± Rohesia continued, ¡°You¡¯ve been moving differently. Even talking differently. More¡­¡± ¡°Ladylike?¡± Randel offered. Rohesia grimaced. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± she decided, ¡°Take your position again.¡± Randel continued to struggle. Every time she slowed down to focus on her form, Rohesia would shout at her to go faster and she¡¯d slip up. Her uracy was terrible and her fingers hurt. Rohesia kept piling on the verbal assault. This wasn''t right. Randel was quivering and close to tears. Training didn''t use to hurt this much. ¡°Randel!¡± Randel lowered her bow and let out a whine. ¡°Raise your weapon!¡± Randel shook her head, sobbing once. Then she heard Rohesia approach her. For a moment, Randel actually thought Rohesia was going to give her a hug. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ro asked. ¡°It was never this hard before,¡± Randel told her, blinking away tears. ¡°It¡¯s hard because you¡¯re starting over, that¡¯s all,¡± Rohesia replied. ¡°No, this is different. I can¡¯t do it anymore.¡± ¡°Yes, you can. Randel, look at me.¡± Randel gulped and looked up at Rohesia. ¡°You still have all the strength you used to. You just need to hold onto it. Don¡¯t get lost in what¡¯s happening to you right now. Forget all this stuff about beingdylike, and I know that you¡¯ll pull through.¡± Randel frowned. Despite what she¡¯d said to Stace, part of Randel really did enjoy all the things she was trying out. Nobody could know, of course. She¡¯d thought that if she kept it to herself, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Were these things really distracting her from the person she needed to be? She couldn¡¯t end up a disappointment to everybody. Randel knew that much for certain. There were expectations for her to live up to, a life she¡¯d have to return to. There wasn¡¯t time for ying out a fantasy. ¡°I¡¯m going to be strong,¡± Randel told Rohesia, ¡°I promise.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good to hear that,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°Take the rest of the day off. We¡¯ll start again tomorrow. You¡¯re strong enough to get through this, believe me.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me, Ro,¡± Randel assured her, wiping the fresh tears from her eyes, ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Get some rest, Randel.¡± Randel walked slowly to Aldith¡¯s hut. She needed time to calm her nerves and figure out what exactly she was going to do. Rohesia was probably right. All Randel needed to do was keep her head down and focus on waiting this out. When Randel reached out to knock on Aldith¡¯s door, though, it opened and Aldith herself was standing there with her big owl eyes. ¡°Oh, good, you¡¯re here!¡± she cried, ¡°We have to get to the Grand Hall immediately. Let me grab my notes.¡± While Aldith collected her things, Stace came outside to talk to Randel. ¡°She¡¯s figured out what we have to do to turn you back,¡± she exined. ¡°Oh.¡± It was so soon. ¡°I thought she said at least a week?¡± Why did this feel like a punch to the gut? ¡°Well, we can¡¯t act on it yet,¡± Stace continued, ¡°She¡¯ll exin when we get there. Your father will want to hear.¡± Randel clenched her jaw and nodded. She and Stace followed Aldith through town. As they walked, Randel felt the weight on her shoulders grow. They were standing in front of the Grand Hall far too soon for Randel¡¯sfort. Most business in the Grand Hall happened in arge room with a long table at one end. Hann sat in a small throne at the middle, with several other chairs on either side of him for the most important members of themunity to sit and coborate. Right now, it was just him and an assistant with a collection of papers strewn about. ¡°Well, Aldith,¡± Hann said, dismissing his assistant with a wave of his hand, ¡°I hope you have answers.¡± Aldith opened up the book she was carrying and several loose sheets of paper fell to the floor. ¡°Good news,¡± she replied, ¡°The effects of the transformation don¡¯t have to be permanent. Now, not a lot of people ever interact with unicorns¡ªthey prefer virginal maidens¡ªbut there are a few notes about them that I was able to find, mostly through some of my old contacts¡ª¡± ¡°Aldith! Answers!¡± Hann barked, causing Randel to flinch. Unfazed, Aldith continued, ¡°ying the unicorn in question will nullify all the magical effects of its blood. This applies to anything that the blood is used in. Potions using the blood will lose their effects, for instance. I believe that if we can lure the original unicorn back and kill it, it should reverse the effects that the blood had on Randel here.¡± Her expression darkened and she finished, ¡°But I warn you, Hann, unicorns are rare and delicate creatures. You would be doing the magical world a terrible disservice if you actually go through with this n.¡± ¡°As long as it saves my son, nothing else matters,¡± Hann said decisively, ¡°How do we lure the unicorn back?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure yet,¡± Aldith said, flipping through a few pages of notes, ¡°I¡¯ve sent messages to some of my colleagues, but it was my understanding that you wanted to be informed at the first possible development.¡± The two continued, but Randel wasn¡¯t listening. Everything felt so far away. Was this really happening? ¡°Randel?¡± Stace asked quietly, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Everyone was looking at her. Hann was beaming. Stace and Aldith exchanged a concerned nce. ¡°I¡­ I need to be alone,¡± Randel said, before turning and heading toward the door. ¡°Randel!¡± Hann cried out. But Randel only picked up her pace and burst out the door. She started running. Where was she going? Randel didn¡¯t know. The only thing that mattered was getting away from that cold, empty hall. Eventually she slowed to a walk, but kept her head down and avoided looking at anybody. A few stray raindrops started to fall. Randel was going to need to get inside before she got soaked. She found herself standing outside the vige shrine. It didn¡¯t look like there was anybody inside, so she slipped in and sat down in front of the altar. Randel had never been terribly spiritual person. What she really needed right now was the istion. ¡°What am I going to do?¡± she asked herself, ¡°I helped that unicorn, gave it a second chance at life. I can¡¯t kill it. I can¡¯t kill a rare and magical creature like that. Not for my little nothing of a life.¡± Randel curled her legs up underneath her and wrapped her arms around herself. She choked back a few sobs, but couldn¡¯t stop the tears streaming down her cheeks. After a moment, she sniffed and broke down sobbing. What was going on? Why did this hurt so much? It couldn¡¯t just be about hurting the unicorn. She was a hunter; it¡¯s what she did. What was really going on to make her feel so miserable? ¡°Hello?¡± Randel took in a sharp breath and turned around. A young sunburned girl with a ribbon in her hair was standing at the entrance of the shrine, looking at Randel. When she saw that Randel had been crying, she covered her mouth with her hands in surprise. ¡°Hello,¡± Randel replied weakly. ¡°Um¡­¡± The girl looked very uncertain of herself. ¡°Are you¡­ are you the girl who used to be a boy?¡± Randel sighed, and nodded. Another persone to gawk at her. That¡¯s exactly what she needed to boost her spirits right now. But the girl was beaming. ¡°Oh! That¡¯s¡­ um¡­ I just wanted to say¡­¡± She paused, looking uncertain. ¡°I think you¡¯re really lucky.¡± Randel blinked in surprise. The girl seemed embarrassed, because she turned around and ran off into the light drizzle. Randel was left sitting in a slump in the shrine. ¡°What?!¡± she eximed. 5. Wise Owls 5. Wise Owls Randel rubbed her sore arms and silently cursed Rohesia¡¯s name. Even though she was getting better now that close to a week had passed, Ro hadn¡¯t given her any praise. At least the training was over for the day. She was headed to the tailor¡¯s house. Hammon had finished her new clothes several days ago, including the dress Randel hadn¡¯t been confident enough to wear yet. She¡¯d also gotten her new boots and the blisters she¡¯d had were healing nicely, if a little too slow for her to be happy about it. Rohesia had been d to get her boots back, too. Stace had spent the past couple of days finding people who needed help with odds and ends. Since she wasn¡¯t hunting anymore, Randel needed something to do to fill her time while everyone else was working. She¡¯d helped out at the furrier, the fishery, and the bake house. Every day was a new awkward experience as people struggled to teach her what she needed to do while gawking at her when they thought she wasn¡¯t looking. ¡°Hello Randel,¡± Hamon said jovially when she entered, ¡°Thank you for assisting me today.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d to have something to do,¡± she replied honestly, ¡°But I¡¯ve never done this before.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t have to use the needle at all,¡± Hamon promised, ¡°You¡¯ll just be assisting with tools and fabrics.¡± Randel sighed in relief. Despite Hamon¡¯s assurances, Randel still fumbled a bit for the first hour or so. Eventually she found herself enjoying the experience, however. Hamon didn¡¯t flinch or stutter or otherwise look ufortable talking to Randel. For a while she forgot there was even anything wrong with her. ¡°How are you getting along?¡± Hamon finally asked, ¡°Now that almost a week has passed?¡± Randel handed over arge pair of scissors and admitted, ¡°I feel perfectly fine.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Randel nodded, but avoided his eyes. It was true enough. The only real problem was the way people stared and muttered. If not for that, Randel thought she really would feel like nothing was wrong. ¡°But I can¡¯t getfortable,¡± she thought to herself, ¡°My old life is still waiting for me.¡± She held a roll of fabric still while Hamon cut off arge square. Hamon continued, ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that things are going well for you, then. Does that mean you¡¯re enjoying the dress?¡± Randel started to squirm. ¡°I haven¡¯t had a chance to wear it, yet,¡± she said. The dress was sitting in her chest at Rohesia¡¯s home, carefully folded up and gingerly ced on top of everything else. Randel was reminded of it every time she passed another woman. There was a burning desire in her gut to try it on, but something was stopping her. ¡°That¡¯s a shame,¡± Hamon told her, turning to face the mannequin, ¡°Bring me the box of pins.¡± Randel did so, and Hamon continued, ¡°I was hoping you¡¯d at least tried it on, since you asked for it special.¡± She nodded and bit her lip. ¡°I promise I will. I just haven¡¯t had the opportunity.¡± ¡°No pressure, girl.¡± Randel¡¯s heart fluttered. ¡°It¡¯s yours to do with as you wish. I only bring it up because I was going to make you an offer.¡± Randel sat the box of pins down on the table and asked, ¡°An offer?¡± Hamon nced over at her and exined, ¡°I have a lot of orders to get through in the next couple of weeks. Some extra help for a few days would make a significant difference. If you were to help, I¡¯d be willing to use my off time to put together a special dress for you.¡± ¡°A special dress?¡± Randel could feel her face burning. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Just something a little nicer and more colorful than what I already gave you. That¡¯s all, if you want it.¡± Randel¡¯s mouth was dry. Why was this even tempting? In a few more days, or maybe another week, Aldith was going to have a way to transform Randel back to normal and she¡¯d never wear a dress again. Hamon was watching her and waiting for an answer. ¡°Yes!¡± Randel cried, ¡°I¡¯d be happy to help!¡± Hamon nodded sagely, like he understood something that Randel didn¡¯t. ¡°Then let¡¯s take a break and figure out what kind of outfit that you¡¯d like.¡± Randel was in heaven. Hamon showed her a bunch of different dresses to get an idea of what elements Randel wanted in hers. Then he showed her a bunch of colorful fabrics for her to choose from. She settled on a nice deep blue color that went with her eyes. ¡°Oh no!¡± she realized suddenly, still holding the fabric in her hands, ¡°What time is it? I was supposed to meet Aldith today.¡± Hamon chuckled and replied, ¡°Go on then. We can get started on the dress tomorrow.¡± She thanked him profusely again for offering to make her a nice dress. Hamon shrugged it off like it was nothing. He bid her farewell and Randel took off running toward the eastern gate. Randel was out of breath by the time she finally reached Aldith¡¯s hut and knocked a few times. After a few moments, the door opened to reveal Aldith, scowling. She folded her arms and shook her head. ¡°You¡¯rete,¡± Aldith said, ¡°I was hoping that you¡¯d understand the importance of being on time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Randel gasped, ¡°I was helping the tailor and we started talking and I didn¡¯t realize¡ª¡± ¡°No.¡± Aldith narrowed her big eyes. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t matter. If you want to learn magic, here is the first lesson: precision matters even more here than when using your bow. If you are not exact, something goes wrong. And if something goes wrong, somebody gets hurt. Do you understand?¡± Randel lowered her head and answered, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Good. Don¡¯t let it happen again. I won¡¯t teach someone who doesn¡¯t understand the importance of being on time.¡± Aldith stepped aside to let Randel into the cramped stone hut. Two small ss windows let in the least possible amount of outside light, the rest illuminated by a small cast-iron chandelier in the middle of the room. The whole ce smelled of herbs, spices, and dust. Books and loose sheets of parchments were scattered across every surface, including the two beds. There was a cackling fire in the firece, a simmering pot in the fire. ¡°Sit down,¡± Aldithmanded, and Randel obeyed. ¡°Now, magic used by humans is inherently limited. You can bend reality but never break the rules, so to speak. You can¡¯t use magic to fly, for example. No mortal witch could have done what happened to you." That was disappointing, but it made sense to Randel. If Aldith could do impossible things, she would have seen her do so. And then everyone in town would want to be able to do magic. Aldith continued, beginning to pace around the room, ¡°The key to magic is projecting your intentions into the universe. Everyone can do this to a limited extent, but having magical tools and training will enhance what you can do. I once made it snow on the hottest day in summer.¡± ¡°I remember that,¡± Randel said, ¡°Could I learn to do that?¡± ¡°With time. But the important thing to remember is that magic is not a toy. Everything you do must have a purpose or it¡¯s wasteful. And ideally the purpose is to help the town. If we hadn¡¯t needed ice, there would have been no need to create snow.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s begin!¡± Randel cried, nearly springing up from her chair. But Aldith held up a hand to stop her. ¡°Magic is like any craft,¡± Aldith said, ¡°You need hands-on practice. But it is also, as you can see from the notes I keep, one of the most intense studies a person can undertake. If you are serious about learning magic, you¡¯ll spend a lot of time memorizing basic theories and important materials.¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t have a lot of time, Aldith,¡± Randel reminded her, heart sinking. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Why¡­? Aldith, I¡¯m going to go back to being a man in less than a week, right?¡± ¡°So?¡± Randel scowled. ¡°So I can¡¯t keep learning magic when I¡¯ve got my own life to get back to!¡± ¡°Then why are you here?¡± Randel groaned. ¡°I thought you¡¯d just teach me a few tricks,¡± she admitted. ¡°Randel, magic is a serious matter,¡± Aldith said, ¡°If you¡¯re serious about learning it, you need to be able tomit. It won¡¯t matter if you¡¯re a woman or a man as long as you want to put in the effort.¡± Randel shook her head, exining, ¡°People have expectations of me. I¡¯ve got to go right back to work as if nothing even happened once I¡¯m fixed.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Aldith asked, ¡°You don¡¯t have to give up new things just because you take up hunting again. As long as you¡¯re willing to put the time in, I¡¯ll still teach you magic.¡± That gave Randel pause. She¡¯d been thinking of this as all temporary, and everyone else had too. Nothing that happened while she was a woman was part of her real life. But if Aldith was serious¡­ ¡°How long would I have to study?¡± she asked. ¡°Before I allowed you to cast your first spell? Perhaps a couple of weeks. Studying magic overall? Perhaps your entire life.¡± Randel nodded, then gulped. ¡°I¡¯ll try to make it happen,¡± she whispered, ¡°I want this.¡± Aldith nodded, then cracked a thin smile. ¡°I¡¯ll lend you a book on basic theory,¡± she said, ¡°I want you to have finished reading the first half in three days. It will be time-consuming, but also a good measure of yourmitment. And you¡¯re not doing too much else right now, are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, Aldith,¡± Randel said, taking the book she held out to him. ¡°Then I expect to be impressed.¡± Rohesia had been surprised to find Randel curled up with a book that night, but didn¡¯t press for answers. Randel didn¡¯t offer an exnation either. She wasn¡¯t sure Rohesia would be okay with her dividing her attention between archery and magic. Rohesia also didn¡¯t say anything the next day when Randel left the house finally wearing the dress Hamon had made her. Still, Randel couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was tension that hadn¡¯t been between them before. Once she caught a dark expression on Rohesia¡¯s face, but it was gone before she could be sure. After practice, Randel met Stace and they headed out of town, across the river, and started scouring the t immense in that surrounded the town on three sides. Stace was to show Randel the different grasses and flowers that Aldith used in her magic. Randel was amazed that Stace could remember them all. ¡°Daisies are used in the oils we make to treat bandages,¡± Stace exined, holding one up for Randel to take, ¡°It helps to prevent infection. Some people have a bad reaction to it, though, so you¡¯ve got to dilute it with juices from other ingredients.¡± Randel ced the flower in her basket. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ever going to remember all of this, Stace,¡± she admitted. Stace replied, ¡°It¡¯s going to take time, that¡¯s all. Were you an expert hunter when you started?¡± ¡°I suppose not. But I¡¯m an adult now. I should be able to do my job. I feel like a child all over again.¡± Stace chuckled. ¡°I do find it a little amusing,¡± she admitted, ¡°That you¡¯re also acting as Aldith¡¯s assistant now. It¡¯s not a direction I would have thought you¡¯d take.¡± ¡°I¡¯m kind of d, actually. It¡¯s time-consuming, but it¡¯s our only chance to hang out now that you¡¯re back to work. It¡¯s been kind of lonely without you.¡± Stace frowned, then reached down to pluck a prickly weed from the ground. ¡°Well,¡± Stace began, ¡°I do have a few friends of my own. I could introduce you to them if you want. Then you might not be so alone.¡± Randel felt her stomach squirm. ¡°I would like to, but I don¡¯t know if¡­¡± Stace continued, ¡°The thing is, Randel, that because I¡¯m Aldith¡¯s assistant some of the town isn¡¯t¡­ very epting of me. They want all the benefits of having a witch, but part of it scares them as well. The only friends I have are really epting people. I¡¯m sure that they¡¯ll ept you as well.¡± Randel sighed. ¡°But you¡¯re still a normal girl,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not.¡± ¡°You won¡¯tnd an arrow if you never take a shot,¡± Stace reminded her. Randel smirked. ¡°Archery jokes?¡± she asked, ¡°Do you really just like to toy with me?¡± ¡°A little,¡± Stace replied, shrugging, ¡°What do you say?¡± Randel bit her lip. It was tantalizing. She couldn¡¯t take up all of Stace¡¯s time, and having more than one friend would be nice. But if Stace was wrong¡­ ¡°Okay,¡± she finally said, ¡°I want to meet them.¡± But there was still a pit in her stomach. How was she supposed to make friends when she wasn¡¯t even going to be here in another week? For all intents and purposes, she was just going to disappear as soon as she got to know any of them. And while she¡¯d been friends with girls as a young boy, it was very different as an adult. Men and women were just too different, even if Randel wasn¡¯t actually attracted to women. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to them, then,¡± Stace replied. They continued working for a little bit when Stace added, ¡°I really like how that dress turned out.¡± Randel blushed and mumbled, ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Do you like it?¡± She nodded, her face burning even more. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re enjoying yourself, Randel,¡± Stace insisted, choosing her words carefully, ¡°It takes time to figure out what we want to be, after all. Not everybody explores it as much as they should, sometimes.¡± Randel nodded, but was focused on the way the dress swished as she walked. Why hadn¡¯t she put this dress on before? It was amazing! She finally felt like she looked the part. Maybe what Rohesia thought didn¡¯t matter. Maybe nobody¡¯s feelings mattered but her own. It was aforting thought, but Randel knew that it was only because she was cut off from the town right now. Once she was surrounded by people again, she was going to have to face their judgment for pretending to be a real girl. She stopped walking and turned to face the town. It really stood out as a mass of structures against the backdrop of the woods. Something about the wall felt different now. Randel didn¡¯t feel protected now that she was on the other side of it; she felt cut off. ¡°It¡¯s just for a short time,¡± Randel reminded Stace. Stace frowned, but said nothing else. Rohesia was stayingte to teach some of the younger hunters that night, so Randel was alone at the house for a while. Finally, Randel felt alone and at peace. She picked up the book Aldith had given her and searched for the page she¡¯d left off on. It was hard to concentrate. Rohesia would be back before too long and Randel anticipated that things would still be tense between them. Her arms were still sore from that morning¡¯s training. What was she doing to make Rohesia so hard on her? A knock on the door interrupted Randel¡¯s musings, and she realized she hadn¡¯t been taking in any of the book. With a sigh, she set it aside and stood up. Who could be here to visit Rohesia at this time of day? When she opened the door, it was to arge man with a crooked nose and curly brown beard. ¡°Father¡­¡± she whispered, letting her gaze drop to her feet. ¡°Randel.¡± Randel stepped back and Hann let himself in without hesitation. ¡°You¡¯re wearing a dress.¡± Randel nodded, not lifting her eyes. ¡°Take it off,¡± Hann growled, ¡°You¡¯re not staying like this. You need to focus on retaining your normal life as much as possible. I won¡¯t have people put confusing ideas in your head. Who made the dress?¡± ¡°It was just a leftover,¡± Randel lied. ¡°From who?¡± Hann demanded. Randel gulped. ¡°I took it from the tailor,¡± she lied, ¡°when he wasn¡¯t looking. I didn¡¯t ask. I knew that he wouldn¡¯t allow me to keep it.¡± Hann grunted, then loomed closer. ¡°Take it off,¡± he told her again, ¡°You need to act normal, like a real man.¡± Randel was shaking. She couldn¡¯t even look her father in the eye. What was wrong with her? How did she think she was ever going to go anywhere in life if she was such a coward?! ¡°I¡¯d better not see you wearing a dress again,¡± Hann finished, then turned around and walked out of the house. Randel closed the door after him, then copsed against it and started to shake. She fell to the floor and sobbed. Why did he hate her so much? Randel wanted to keep the dress. She wanted to wear it every day of her life. She liked herself better this way. She wanted people to look at her like a real woman. She wanted to be a real woman! ¡°Oh gods¡­¡± she muttered, ¡°I actually want to be a woman.¡± Randel crawled over to her bed and curled up, pushing Aldith¡¯s book off to the side. She covered her mouth and tried to steady her breathing. After a few minutes, her heart had calmed down and she could sit up. ¡°I¡¯m going to lose this,¡± she realized, ¡°All of it. I can¡¯t stay this way. Nobody is going to let me.¡± Randel stood up, her legs weak, and walked out the front door. She started walking away from the house, not sure where she was going. ¡°Randel?¡± She nced over to see Rohesia walking up, her own bow slung across her back. Randel turned away and picked up her pace. She needed to be alone. It was getting dark, but she kept walking. Randel thought she knew the town well enough to navigate even without light. Nobody else was around. They all had homes where they belonged. ¡°I can¡¯t go back,¡± Randel muttered, ¡°Not to living in the bunkhouse. But I can¡¯t stay with Ro.¡± When Randel stopped, she was standing outside of the town¡¯s shrine. She could see the altar through the open doorway. Randel kept finding herself drawn here for whatever reason. She walked inside and sat down in front of the altar. Then Randel started pulling at her tousled hair and whined. There had never been a time where she felt more lost. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°What am I going to do?¡± she asked, but nothing answered. Finally, Randel lied down on the floor and curled up. She cried for a while, trying not to make too much noise. The bare wooden floor was ufortable, but eventually Randel started to doze. 6. A Caged Bird 6. A Caged Bird ¡°You¡¯re doing worse.¡± Sleeping on the floor of the shrine had done Randel no good. Now she was sore in all new ces. She was also back to wearing pants, much to her dismay. Randel¡¯s arms kept shaking enough that she couldn¡¯t keep her bow steady at all today. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Rohesia demanded, grabbing Randel by the shoulders and forcibly adjusting her position. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ not enjoying myself,¡± Randel muttered. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re enjoying it,¡± Rohesia sneered, ¡°This is your job. Everyone expects you to be in top shape, Randel. You need to be the best if you¡¯re going to lead your squad when you turn back. Now take another shot.¡± Randel drew another arrow slowly and nocked it. Her vision was blurry and both her arms were quivering. When she released the string, her arrow flew wide and missed the target entirely. Rohesia sighed. ¡°What happened to youst night?¡± she asked. ¡°My father came to visit. He didn¡¯t like me wearing a dress.¡± Randel thought she saw Ro¡¯s expression soften for just a moment. ¡°Well,¡± Rohesia continued, ¡°You were doing better before today. Not well enough, unfortunately. You should be making faster progress than this. Especially from someone with your skill. I expected more.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Randel replied, her voice cracking as she teared up, ¡°I thought I was strong enough.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t cry,¡± Rohesia ordered, ¡°No tears on the archery range. That¡¯s always been the rule.¡± ¡°Right¡­ it was never really an issue before now. I forgot.¡± ¡°Well, some people don¡¯t take to the bow as well as you did. I¡¯ve seen my fair share of tears.¡± Rohesia folded her arms. ¡°I know that you¡¯re stronger than this, Randel. You need to get your head on straight. Whatever distraction you have going on needs to be dealt with so things can go back to normal.¡± Randel nodded, not really listening. ¡°Fix your posture and do it again.¡± Another arrow flew through the air, this onending short and hitting the ground in front of the target. ¡°Aim, boy!¡± Rohesia barked. Randel groaned and grabbed a clump of hair with her free hand. ¡°Faster, Randel! Stop thinking so hard about it and just do it!¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Randel cried, tearing up, ¡°Please!¡± ¡°Raise your bow and fire!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± ¡°Then what are you doing here?!¡± Randel sobbed and dropped her bow, then dropped to her knees. She buried her head in her hands and started to cry. There was the crunch of boots on grass as Rohesia walked over. ¡°I don¡¯t believe this,¡± she heard Rohesia mutter, before barking, ¡°Get up!¡± Randel shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she said, ¡°It¡¯s too much. You¡¯re pushing me too hard.¡± ¡°Randel, I have to push you hard. Clearly you aren¡¯t pushing yourself. I feel like I¡¯m losing my best hunter.¡± Randel looked up at Rohesia, seeing pity in her eyes. That hurt more than her sore muscles. Rohesia had always respected Randel. How had she fallen so low? Rohesia felt like she was losing Randel. Randel couldn¡¯t tell her the truth. If Rohesia knew that Randel wanted to stay this way, there was no telling what she¡¯d do. She might even go straight to Hann and warn him. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Randel said instead, ¡°I need to be the best I¡¯ve ever been when I get back to normal. There¡¯s no other option.¡± ¡°Well, then I expect you to feel better tomorrow. I¡¯ll take your bow. You go¡­ do whatever it is you do. Just promise me that you¡¯ll solve whatever¡¯s going on with you so we can get back to the way things are supposed to be.¡± Randel nodded and picked up her bow to hand it over. Rohesia held out a hand for Randel to take. She helped Randel to her feet, then brushed her off. ¡°Actually,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°Maybe you should take tomorrow off. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re sore enough as it is.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Randel replied weakly. She returned to town, walking slowly with her arms folded. Randel couldn¡¯t tell anyone that she wanted to stay like this. It was a dream that wouldn¡¯t be able toe true, so there was no point in wallowing in it. She needed to be strong for the people that were counting on her. By the time Randel got to Hamon¡¯s house, she had mostlyposed herself. ¡°You¡¯re early,¡± he told her, clearly surprised. ¡°I hope that¡¯s not a problem.¡± ¡°Not at all. It gives us more time to work on your dress.¡± Randel¡¯s heart sank. Her special dress. The one she wouldn¡¯t be able to ever wear. The best thing to do would be to tell Hamon to forget about it, but a selfish part of Randel knew that she¡¯d never be able to do that. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see it,¡± she replied, smiling softly. They alternated between working together on Hamon¡¯s normal projects and Randel¡¯s dress. For every new article they repaired orpleted, they¡¯d take a few minutes to finish the next part of the dress. It was more stylish than the one Randel had been wearing the day before, with long sleeves evocative of bird wings and a skirt that resembled a bird¡¯s tail. The whole thing was the beautiful dark blue that Randel had selected. ¡°It¡¯s gorgeous,¡± Randel said, sping her hands together in excitement. ¡°It¡¯s going to take another day or two to finish,¡± Hamon admitted, ¡°But it¡¯s reallying along.¡± A knock on the door interrupted their musing. ¡°That must be Molle,¡± Hamon said, striding over and opening the door, ¡°Her order is in the third trunk there. Grab it for me.¡± Instead, a sturdy man with messy ck hair was standing in the doorway. ¡°Morris!¡± Randel cried, running up, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Morris stuck his head into the shop and looked around, answering, ¡°I heard that you were stuck helping the tailor, and wanted to see if you wanted to hang out instead since I have the day off.¡± ¡°I would,¡± Randel said, ¡°But we¡¯re in the middle of working right now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Randel,¡± Hamon said, ¡°I can handle the rest for today. You and your friend enjoy yourselves.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Hamon nodded, insisting, ¡°Enjoy your youth while you have it.¡± ¡°Thank you, Hamon.¡± Turning to Morris, she asked, ¡°Where do you want to go?¡± They left the workshop together, Morris answering, ¡°I thought we¡¯d just hang out at the tavern. If that¡¯s okay with you.¡± Randel nodded, following Morris down the road. She was still giddy from seeing how well her dress wasing along. There was nothing she wanted to do more than gush about it to Morris. But she bit her tongue. He probably wouldn¡¯t understand why it was so exciting for her, and Randel didn¡¯t want to risk it getting back to her father. When they got to the tavern, Randel took a spot at the bar and Morris followed suit. ¡°Meggy,¡± Randel said, getting the attention of the green-eyed bartender, ¡°Can I get a drink? And one for my friend here.¡± ¡°Of course, honey,¡± Meggy replied. ¡°I was thinking of getting a room here,¡± Randel admitted to Morris, ¡°So that I don¡¯t have to live with Rohesia anymore.¡± ¡°Really? You don¡¯t want the free room?¡± ¡°She¡¯s just a lot to deal with all the time, that¡¯s all,¡± Randel said, shifting ufortably in her seat. ¡°I guess she would be,¡± Morris agreed, ¡°Has the witch found the unicorn yet?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± Randel replied, her stomach turning at the thought, ¡°I¡¯m sure she will, though.¡± ¡°Well, I can¡¯t wait for things to get back to normal,¡± Morris said, raising his mug in a toast. Then he asked, ¡°Are you still pretending to act like a woman to make people happy?¡± Randel nodded, not trusting herself to speak. ¡°You should stop,¡± Morris continued, ¡°If anybody has a problem with you acting like a man, they can take it up with me. You shouldn¡¯t have to pretend to be something you¡¯re not just to make other peoplefortable.¡± ¡°I agree with you,¡± Randel said with a sigh. ¡°You¡¯d better tell the witch to hurry up. I want my best friend back.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still here,¡± Randel replied, bristling. ¡°But you know what I mean,¡± Morris told her, scowling. She didn¡¯t like the way he was behaving. Randel gazed at Morris for a bit, just taking in his face. Morris furled his brow in concern, but Randel just sighed. There was no way she¡¯d ever be able to tell him the truth. Not about her wanting to stay a woman, and not about her being in love with him. It wasn¡¯t just a crush anymore. She knew that just by looking at him. ¡°I feel like I can¡¯t do a lot of things that I want to,¡± she thought. Morris interrupted her thinking, ¡°Rohesia barely talks about you, you know. While we¡¯re hunting, she pretends that you don¡¯t exist. I miss you, Randel. You¡¯re like a brother to me. The snake and the hawk, remember?¡± Randel didn¡¯t feel like a hawk. She felt like a caged bird. And they were about to lock her away forever by returning her to her old, male body. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Morris asked. ¡°I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Randel replied, forcing herself to smile. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just got a lot on my mind. It¡¯s not important,¡± Randel insisted, raising her tankard, ¡°We¡¯re here to have fun, aren¡¯t we?¡± Morris grinned like an idiot and raised his tankard in response. Randel kept a smile stered on her face, but inside she felt tired. Truth be told, she¡¯d rather be spending time with Stace. Randel had a bit of a buzz when she said goodbye to Morris and left the tavern. She really should have just gone back to Rohesia¡¯s house and finish the reading that Aldith had assigned to her. But she needed some space to clear her head and think. So she found herself back at the town shrine, kneeling in front of the altar. Randel had beening here a lottely for the solitude. There was almost never anybody around, and when she did run into other people they tended to stay quite and left her alone. Here, at least, Randel felt wee and at home. A small voice came from behind her, ¡°H-hi there.¡± Randel stretched to look behind her, spotting a young sunburned girl with a ribbon in her hair. It was the same child from a number of days ago who had said that she envied Randel. Now Randel didn¡¯t want to be alone; her curiosity was piqued. ¡°Hello,¡± she replied, ¡°Did you want to talk to me?¡± The girl smiled and nodded, then walked gingerly up to Randel and folded her hands. Randel said, ¡°My name is Randel. What¡¯s yours?¡± ¡°My name is Diot,¡± the girl replied, ¡°Can I sit down next to you?¡± Randel nodded, patting the ground beside her. Diot sat down next to Randel and crossed her legs. Randel couldn¡¯t help but smile a little. Something about children made them so precious to her. They were like little fauns taking their first steps into the world. Diot didn¡¯t say anything. Randel didn¡¯t either. She watched as Diot started to shuffle ufortably. Diot would briefly nce over at Randel once or twice, but didn¡¯t say anything. Randel still suspected that she knew what this was about. ¡°Did you know that I met a unicorn?¡± she asked. Diot¡¯s eyes grew wide and she shook her head. ¡°I did. Last week I was hunting and got separated from my friends. I found an injured unicorn and used my medical kit to patch it up. But I also got some of its blood on me. That night, I magically transformed into a woman. That¡¯s how I got to be this way.¡± ¡°That¡¯s so cool!¡± Diot squeaked. Randel smiled and nodded. ¡°I felt really lucky to get to see it,¡± she admitted, ¡°Almost nobody ever gets to. I didn¡¯t expect it to transform me, though.¡± Diot nodded, smiling enough to show off dimples. ¡°I¡­ um,¡± she began, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ I mean¡­¡± Randel was quiet, allowing Diot to find the words that she was looking for. ¡°You¡¯re just so lucky, you know?¡± Diot asked. ¡°Why is that?¡± ¡°Well, because most people are just stuck as they are,¡± she continued, ¡°Nobody else has ever gotten to transform into a girl.¡± She lowered her voice and finished, ¡°¡­or a boy.¡± ¡°Do you like that idea?¡± Randel asked, ¡°Would you want to transform into a boy if you could?¡± Diot nodded, not looking at Randel. ¡°Have you told anyone?¡± Diot shook her head. ¡°Is there anyone you can tell?¡± ¡°I dunno.¡± ¡°Your parents?¡± Randel asked. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m afraid I¡¯d get in trouble if I told them.¡± ¡°Why? Is there a reason you think that?¡± Diot shrugged. Randel just nodded in reply. She wasn¡¯t really sure what to do in this situation. And Diot clearly didn¡¯t know what to do either. They were both stuck. ¡°Well, if you ever want to talk, I¡¯m here,¡± Randel promised. ¡°Thank you,¡± Diot replied quietly, blushing, ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯ste. I should go back home. My parents will worry.¡± ¡°Goodbye, Diot,¡± Randel said, ¡°Come find me if you need help.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Diot promised. After bidding farewell to Diot, Randel started walking toward the edge of town. She wasn¡¯t headed to Rohesia¡¯s house, though. It waste in the day, but Randel was headed for the eastern gate. Randel¡¯s hands were sweaty as she walked up to the little stone house. What was she going to say? Could she even trust Aldith and Stace? But there was no one else she even thought she could tell without it backfiring on her. As soon as she knocked on the door, Randel regretted her decision. ¡°Randel?¡± Stace asked when she opened the door, ¡°Is something wrong? Why are you here?¡± ¡°Can Ie inside?¡± Randel asked in the smallest voice she could muster. The room was cramped, but they made enough space for Randel to sit down on one of the beds. It was getting dark, so the entire room was illuminated by the little cast iron chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Aldith was scribbling into a book, only asionally ncing at Randel. Stace knelt down in front of Randel directly, looking concerned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked. ¡°I want to tell you,¡± Randel said, curling up and wrapping her arms around her stomach. ¡°Give her some of the stew,¡± Aldith told Stace. Stace nodded and pulled a bowl off of a shelf. She filled it with the stew from the cauldron on the fire and brought it over to Randel, who epted it without a word. Randel hadn¡¯t actually realized how hungry she was until just now. She ate slowly for a few minutes. How was Randel supposed to exin herself? How did she make someone understand that she was happier as the person that she couldn¡¯t be? Stace sat down on the bed beside Randel and said, ¡°Whatever is going on, you can tell us. You¡¯re safe here, Randel.¡± Randel nodded, then blinked the tears out of her eyes. ¡°I¡­ I want to trust you.¡± Stace ced a warm hand on Randel¡¯s arm. Randel¡¯s hands were shaking, and she was going to spill the stew everywhere. She sat it down in herp and took a deep, shaky breath. Randel¡¯s voice cracked as she admitted, ¡°I want to stay this way, Stace. I want to stay a woman. And I know I don¡¯t deserve it. I¡¯m not a real woman and I¡¯m never going to be. But I don¡¯t want to go back to being a man. I¡­ I¡¯m so much happier this way.¡± Stace smiled softly. ¡°Randel, it¡¯s okay,¡± she cooed. ¡°No, it¡¯s not!¡± Randel cried, beginning to sob, ¡°I can¡¯t stay like this. I have to go back to being a man. That¡¯s what everyone wants. I don¡¯t have a choice!¡± Aldith had stood up and walked over to where Randel was sitting, then knelt down. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything that you don¡¯t want, girl,¡± she said, ¡°To be entirely honest, we both suspected that you would be happier as a woman than as a man.¡± Randel sniffed. ¡°You¡­ you couldn¡¯t have known,¡± she protested. ¡°We didn¡¯t know for sure,¡± Stace agreed, ¡°But ever since you asked me to show you how to act like a woman, we thought that you seemed to be enjoying it more than you wanted to admit.¡± Aldith finished, ¡°We weren¡¯t sure that you woulde to the same conclusion yourself. But we were hoping that you¡¯d figure it out before we found a way to turn you back. This isn¡¯t an opportunity that we could recreate.¡± ¡°So everyone knew except for me?¡± Randel asked. ¡°I don¡¯t think everyone knows,¡± Stace said, ¡°But it was obvious to us that there was more going on than you were willing to admit.¡± They fell quiet for a moment. Randel stirred her stew a little, but didn¡¯t take another bite. Aldith stood up and walked back to where she¡¯d sat her book down. ¡°What now?¡± Randel asked. ¡°We don¡¯t have to keep searching for a way to transform you back if you don¡¯t want to,¡± Aldith said, ¡°As long as it¡¯s your choice in the matter.¡± ¡°Are you going to tell my father?¡± Randel asked. ¡°Not if you don¡¯t want me to,¡± Aldith assured her, ¡°We do have to tell him something eventually, but it doesn¡¯t have to be the truth.¡± ¡°He¡¯d make me do it. I don¡¯t want him to know.¡± Aldith nodded. Stace added, ¡°We¡¯ll help you however we can, Randel.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± After a moment, Stace asked, ¡°Do you have a name you¡¯d prefer to be called?¡± Randel thought about it while she ate her cold stew. It was something she¡¯d never really considered before. This was the first time she really considered the possibility of staying as a woman. But she couldn¡¯t really keep her old, male name. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Randel felt heat rising in her cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s a little embarrassing.¡± ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Stace insisted, ¡°Take your time.¡± ¡°Well, I think if I¡¯m going to have a name, I¡¯d want it to be Iseut. After myte mother.¡± Stace nodded. ¡°Alright, Iseut,¡± she said, ¡°Wee to womanhood.¡± 7. Brand New Animal 7. Brand New Animal It was weird being back in the forest without a bow. Iseut¡¯s hands felt empty as she followed Aldith down a narrow path through the trees. The forest was alive with the rustling and chirping of birds. All of Iseut¡¯s senses were automatically perked up like she was on a hunt. It felt good to be back home. ¡°We¡¯ll stop here,¡± Aldith said quietly, leading Iseut into a small clearing, ¡°Sit in the middle.¡± Iseut nodded and knelt into an ufortable seated position where Aldith indicated. Aldith sat down a short distance in front of Iseut. It made Iseut squirm a little. ¡°Close your eyes and rx every muscle.¡± Iseut obeyed. ¡°Breathe in and out slowly for a few minutes. Don¡¯t focus on any sound in particr. You need to reach an altered state of consciousness, and it¡¯s going to be a little difficult.¡± Some time passed. Iseut felt her body twitch and shift. Her mind was racing, no matter how much she tried to keep herself calm. She was in the wild, and her body wanted to hunt. ¡°Focus on my voice,¡± Aldith droned, ¡°You need to rx your body and mind, open yourself up. Let nature in. Breathe the vige out. Breathe in the natural world.¡± Iseut felt herself dozing off. She had to let nature in. The sound of the birds. The scent of the wind. The feel of the grass and earth beneath her. ¡°Feel the heartbeat of the forest.¡± She was floating in space. ¡°Iseut, open your eyes.¡± Iseut obeyed, still dozed. ¡°How do you feel?¡± Aldith asked. ¡°This is¡­ different.¡± ¡°Hold out your hand.¡± Iseut obeyed, and Aldith scooted closer. From her cupped hands, she dropped a tiny lizard into Iseut¡¯s open palm. It stayed there, staring up at Iseut. Aldith continued, ¡°You and I are both part of nature. We are part of the earth, the river, the wind, and of fire. Every living being is connected to us through magic. And as practitioners of magic, we have both power to bend nature and a responsibility to care for it. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Iseut said, but she felt like she was speaking through msses. ¡°Right now, you are feeling that connection more strongly than you have ever felt it in your entire life. This is what you will draw on to learn how to use magic. Now, close your eyes and count upward to ten.¡± When Iseut was finished, she blinked and shook her head. The feeling was gone. Whatever had just happened, it was over now. She lowered her hand and the lizard jumped from her palm and scurried away. Aldith helped Iseut to her feet and asked, ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°I feel¡­ changed?¡± Iseut replied. Her mentor nodded sagely, continuing, ¡°Once a day, either in the morning or evening, I need you to sit down and enter a meditative state again. It won¡¯t be as deep without me to guide you, but it¡¯s important that you learn how to do this quickly and consistently.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Iseut promised. ¡°There is another thing,¡± Aldith said, beginning the walk back, ¡°Normally, the town only has one witch and one apprentice. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re nning to do, whether you¡¯re going to return to hunting or do something else, but I think it would be a good idea for you to also officially take on an apprenticeship as a witch instead of merely doing this to upy your time.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The thought definitely appealed to Iseut. Aldith continued, ¡°As unlikely as it is, there is a possibility that something unfortunate may befall Stace that would prevent her from taking over when I retire. In that case, it would be good to have someone experienced who could take my ce. Otherwise, the town would be left helpless.¡± Iseut frowned. That was morbid. Did Aldith really think that something bad was going to happen to Stace? ¡°Is that really necessary?¡± she asked. ¡°Necessary? I suppose not,¡± Aldith replied, pushing aside a low-hanging branch for Iseut to pass by, ¡°But just in case, it would be a big help for you to learn fully how to be a witch. Normally I couldn¡¯t justify taking on a second apprentice, but if you were fulfilling an important role¡­¡± A smile tugged at Iseut¡¯s lips as she understood. ¡°I¡¯d be honored to,¡± she replied. They reached the edge of the forest and Aldith bid her goodbye. Iseut couldn¡¯t stop smiling as she headed toward the town gate. Aldith wasn¡¯t at all what Iseut had thought she¡¯d be. There was a wisdom and cleverness to the owldy that Iseut hadn¡¯t anticipated. As she got into town, though, Iseut¡¯s mood started to slip. Now that she was surrounded by people, it was hard to ignore that there was more than just Aldith and Stace to consider. Her nerves were frayed. She started wringing her hands and picked up her pace. ¡°I want to stay a woman,¡± she thought, ¡°I want to be a witch. That¡¯s all I know for sure, but I know it¡¯s true.¡± But passing the faces of strangers and loose acquaintances, she wondered how many of them she could trust. Would this person believe her? Would that person ept her? Everyone knew what had happened to her, but they all believed she was going to go back to normal. And her father¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll figure this out,¡± she tried to assure herself, but her palms were sweaty and her breathing irregr. It was both forever and too soon that she found herself outside the tavern again. With a deep breath, Iseut entered into the din and dim and started scanning for Morris. She found him at the counter with two mugs and managed to smile ever so softly. ¡°Am Ite?¡± she asked, sitting down next to him. ¡°I¡¯m early, actually,¡± Morris replied, ¡°I ordered you a drink. The bartender is cute, by the way. Were you helping the tailor?¡± ¡°Hamon? No, I was¡­ learning how to repair my bow¡­ with Ro.¡± Did she want to tell Morris that she was learning magic? Would he make fun of her? Or would he just think that was weird too? Iseut took a drink so she didn¡¯t have to say anything. Morris began, ¡°I saw a hawk out hunting yesterday, and it made me think of you.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Iseut asked, heart fluttering. ¡°It was eating a snake.¡± ¡°Ew! That¡¯s gross, Morris.¡± She chuckled, but Morris scowled. ¡°Don¡¯t get soft on me, now,¡± he mumbled, ¡°You¡¯ve seen worse.¡± ¡°Yeah, I guess so. Who are you hunting with now since I¡¯m not there, by the way?¡± ¡°I¡¯m paired up with Judd,¡± he replied, ¡°We alternate who hunts with Rohesia so everyone has a partner." ¡°You¡¯re spending a lot of time with Judd, then. I¡¯m going to get jealous,¡± Iseut said. Morris snickered at that. ¡°He¡¯s not as good as you. Don¡¯t worry. I don¡¯t want to stay paired with him when you get back.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d rather spend time with me instead of him, too. I¡¯m more attractive anyway.¡± Morrisughed, but Iseut had to bite her tongue. She knew Morris well, and he was clearly growing morefortable around her like this. But it wasn¡¯t time to tell him her true feelings yet. He didn¡¯t see her like that. It would take more time. Not that she didn¡¯t have enough time. With Aldith on her side, Iseut had no doubt that she was going to stay a woman. Even if nobody else knew it, yet, the thought helped to keep her calm. There was actually a possibility that she and Morris could be together now. ¡°Can I trust him,¡± she thought, ¡°to be one of the first to know?¡± Morris led the conversation for a while. Iseut was content to let him talk and simply nod along. If he couldn¡¯t tell from her soft expression that she was deeply infatuated, he really was going to need it spelled out for him. Back when Iseut had friends who were women, they¡¯d talked about how clueless guys could be, and she¡¯d never understood at the time. ¡°So,¡± she began, ¡°It seems like I¡¯m going to be stuck like this for a little longer than we thought.¡± She held her breath while waiting for Morris to reply. After a moment, he scowled. ¡°Why?¡± he demanded. ¡°Aldith is having trouble figuring out how to track down a unicorn, especially if it¡¯s left the area.¡± She gulped. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m sure she¡¯lle up with something. But I might be like this for a while.¡± ¡°She should put all her focus on fixing you.¡± ¡°You sound like my father,¡± Iseut muttered, heart sinking. ¡°The sooner you get fixed, the sooner everything will be alright,¡± Morris said, ¡°Don¡¯t you want things back to normal?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course.¡± She buried herself in her drink. Why was she such a coward? Iseut couldn¡¯t hide the truth forever. Morris would know soon enough. The conversation limped along, but Iseut could sense that it was over. She finished her drink and made an excuse about needing to help Hamon. Morris bid her goodbye, but it was a gruff goodbye. ¡°This isn¡¯t going to end well,¡± Iseut told herself on the walk back to Rohesia¡¯s house. Morris was her best friend. They¡¯d known each other for most of Iseut¡¯s life. He should want to stay friends no matter what, right? But he hadn¡¯t seemed disappointed to learn that Iseut might stay a woman, he¡¯d seemed angry. Could their friendship actually be saved if she chose to stay like this? In the morning, Iseut trudged along with Rohesia back to the archery range and took her normal spot in front of the target. Iseut was definitely getting better. Her arms didn¡¯t hurt as much and she was was consistently hitting the target, even if not the middle. ¡°Faster,¡± Rohesia told her, ¡°The more you think about it, the more likely you are to screw up. Let your hunter¡¯s instincts guide you.¡± Iseut took a deep breath. All her focus was on the target. She could feel her sight and hearing heighten. Her breathing was smooth and slow. Iseut nocked an arrow and aimed it at the heart of the target. In her mind, she pictured a deer¡ª Her fingers slipped and the arrow flew from her bow before she was ready, veering off course. The string snapped and cut the skin on her fingers. Iseut cursed and shook out her hand to cope with the pain. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Rohesia asked. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Iseut insisted. She nocked another arrow and took a deep breath. Iseut tried to picture another animal in her head as she took aim, but her hand was shaking. She¡¯d killed animals before. She knew what they looked like dead. She remembered the nk expression a deer had when you dragged its body back to town. What was wrong with her? She imagined being out in the woods with her bow, sitting down in an empty clearing. A deer woulde up to her and start grazing nearby. Iseut would reach out a hand and pat the animal on the neck, feeling the connection they had. ¡°Aldith, what did you do to me?¡± she asked quietly. ¡°Come on!¡± Rohesia cried, ¡°Shoot it! No animal is going to wait that long for you!¡± Iseut took the shot. Itnded on the edge of the target. Iseut lowered her bow and shook her head. ¡°Dammit, Randel!¡± Rohesia stormed up to her. ¡°Why can¡¯t you get this?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Iseut cried, ¡°I¡¯m doing my best. I just¡­ I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m not as good as I used to be.¡± ¡°I know why,¡± Rohesia muttered, ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. I wouldn¡¯t have expected this from you of all people.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Iseut demanded. Rohesia turned away and continued, ¡°You just think that women are weak, don¡¯t you? And now that you¡¯re a woman, you¡¯re giving into that weakness and letting it control your life.¡± Iseut cried, ¡°What?! I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Rohesia snorted. ¡°You never had any problem hunting before the transformation,¡± she continued, ¡°And you¡¯ve had enough time to get back to your normal skill level. If you¡¯re not, it must be some choice on your part.¡± Iseut clenched her bow tightly in her hands and retorted, ¡°That¡¯s not fair! I¡¯ve been dealing with a lot! And it¡¯s been difficult!¡± ¡°But this is your job!¡± Rohesia reminded her, ¡°Why is it not your main focus? If you¡¯re going to give up, just give up already and spare me the time I¡¯m wasting on you!¡± When she was done, Rohesia was breathing heavily. Iseut could barely see through the tears welling up in her eyes. She was clenching her bow so hard that she thought it might break. Rohesia continued, ¡°Maybe this was a mistake. Once you¡¯re back to being a man, you¡¯ll be able to shoot again and everything can go back to normal.¡± Iseut nodded. She blinked and tears ran down her face. She didn¡¯t have it in her to tell Rohesia the truth. Ro wouldn¡¯t support her any more than Morris would. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯m done trying to force myself to be good at something that isn¡¯t right for me.¡± She could see Rohesia¡¯s jaw tighten. Rohesia shook her head and turned away, storming off. Iseut was left alone on the archery field. She turned briefly to nce at the woods, then down to the bow in her hands. Maybe she should snap it in half. Maybe Iseut should be done with this for good. But what else was she going to do? Iseut was a hunter. That was her role. ¡°How did my life get so hard?¡± she asked herself. Iseut made it to Hamon¡¯s workshop much earlier than he expected her, but he let her in anyway. ¡°Are you well?¡± he asked. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she lied. Hamon didn¡¯t press her any further. They started working together, and after a few minutes Iseut had calmed down quite a bit. Working with fabrics was rxing, and Hamon allowed her to even work with the needle for a little bit. ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± he asked her. ¡°Yeah, I am,¡± she admitted sheepishly. ¡°Will you tell me what was wrong?¡± Iseut frowned. Hamon continued, ¡°It¡¯s clear that something is upsetting you. You don¡¯t have to tell me, but it won¡¯t get better if you keep it all to yourself.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Iseut said, ¡°I¡¯m just not sure who I can trust with it¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s perfectly¡ª¡± Iseut blurted out, ¡°I want to stay a woman and I¡¯m afraid nobody will let me!¡± Her heart was in her throat, and Iseut gulped. Hamon smiled softly and nodded. ¡°I thought as much.¡± ¡°You did?¡± Hamon nodded and replied, ¡°You seemed content in a way that I wouldn¡¯t have been in your situation.¡± Iseut felt her face burn, and mumbled, ¡°I guess that¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Do you want to try on your dress?¡± Iseut gasped. ¡°It¡¯s done?!¡± she asked. Hamon nodded. He was an excellent tailor. The dress fit perfectly. Iseut stood in front of the mirror, turning around and examining it from every possible angle. She thought she looked like a bluebird. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± she said. ¡°In my experience,¡± Hamon said, ¡°An outfit is only as beautiful as the person wearing it.¡± Iseut was beaming. Unfortunately, she had to take the dress off. Hamon wrapped it up in paper so she could take it with her. Iseut thanked him profusely, and Hamon insisted that it was his pleasure. She met Stace at the tavern, still clutching the package to her chest gingerly. Stace didn¡¯t ask about the package or Iseut¡¯s bow, which Iseut was grateful for. After the events of the day, she needed to rx and not think too much about anything in particr. ¡°I could use a drink,¡± she admitted, ¡°I¡¯m going to be a hardcore drunk by the end of the month.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let me stop you,¡± Stace replied, taking a bite of her food. Then, in a low voice, she added, ¡°How are you adjusting to thinking of yourself as a real woman?¡± ¡°It¡¯s kind of a relief,¡± Iseut told her, ¡°Everything hasn¡¯t magically fallen into ce, but it¡¯s starting to sink in that this is my life now. I feel like I can hold my head up higher. Did the unicorn do this to me? Change me so I¡¯d want to be a girl? Stace asked, ¡°Do you feel like that¡¯s what happened?¡± Iseut squirmed a little in her seat and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll figure it out.¡± Stace ced a supportive hand on Iseut¡¯s arm and squeezed. Iseut replied with a soft smile, and to her surprise Stace¡¯s expression faltered. She removed her hand and looked down into her food. ¡°There¡¯s something I have to ask you,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Are you¡­ still attracted to women?¡± Iseut¡¯s mouth felt dry. She was pretty sure that she didn¡¯t want this secret to get out. But this was Stace. Stace was trustworthy. And it was clear that she was a little ufortable not knowing if Iseut was attracted to her or not. ¡°See, about that,¡± she said slowly, fiddling with her hands, ¡°The truth is that I¡¯ve¡­ never been attracted to women.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Iseut¡¯s voice was almost a whisper as she concluded, ¡°Because I¡¯ve only ever been attracted to men.¡± Stace¡¯s eyes widened and she gaped, ¡°Oh. Oh¡­ I wish I¡¯d known that earlier. I was worried over nothing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just thought it would make things awkward between me and the other guys, so I never talked about it.¡± ¡°Well, it means we don¡¯t have to worry about making each other ufortable, then.¡± She gave Iseut a toothy grin. ¡°I¡¯ve been holding back a little because I thought you might think I was interested.¡± Iseut chuckled. She hadn¡¯t seen this side of Stace before. ¡°I¡¯m lucky Aldith asked you to shepherd me around for a bit,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯d be lost right now without you.¡± ¡°It turned out better than I thought it would,¡± Stace admitted, ¡°By the way, I spoke to my friends. They want to meet with you, tomorrow.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Iseut cried, nearly jumping to her feet with excitement, ¡°I can¡¯t wait to meet them.¡± ¡°Do you still need that drink, then?¡± Stace asked yfully. Iseut snorted and replied, ¡°Yes, please. I¡¯ve got to talk to Rohesia tonight and I need some courage beforehand.¡± 8. Growing Faun 8. Growing Faun Iseut was alone in the shrine. She was on her knees in front of the altar, praying for strength from whatever gods or spirits might be around to answer. When she got back, she was going to tell Rohesia the truth. Worst-case scenarios yed in her head. Ro might kick her out, might even go to her father and tell him everything. The longer she put off facing Rohesia, the harder things would be. Iseut felt bad. Ro had been counting on Iseut to take over the squad for her. She thought that Iseut could be strong. And now Iseut was going to admit to just being a disappointment. ¡°Hello¡­ Miss Unicorn Lady?¡± Iseut blinked and turned around. Standing there was a small sunburned child with a ribbon in their hair, wringing their hands. When they saw that Iseut was watching, Diot gulped and waved. ¡°Can I talk to you?¡± they asked. ¡°Of course,¡± Iseut said, patting the ground next to her. Iseut let out a long breath. This would be a wee distraction from what she had to do next. And Iseut had promised Diot they could talk whenever Diot needed her. Diot gotfortable on the floor and took a deep breath. ¡°I think I want to be a boy,¡± they said, not looking at Iseut directly. Iseut nodded. ¡°How do I do that?¡± Diot asked. ¡°I don¡¯t really know,¡± Iseut admitted, ¡°How would your parents react to hearing you say that?¡± ¡°They say that they want me to be happy,¡± Diot said, frowning, ¡°But I¡¯m nervous.¡± ¡°I would be too. But if you want people to treat you as a boy, you¡¯ll need to tell people. Your parents will have to get you new clothes, and cut your hair, and tell people to call you a boy¡­ do you think they¡¯ll do that?¡± ¡°I think so.¡± They were quiet for a moment, then Iseut asked, ¡°How do you know that you want to be a boy, Diot?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Diot scrunched up their face, thinking intensely. ¡°I like ying with boys. I want short hair, and don¡¯t like wearing dresses. I don¡¯t really like being called a girl. And when I grow up, I want to be like my dad and not my mom.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Iseut asked. ¡°I¡¯d rather be a daddy and not a mommy,¡± Diot rified. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ quite a lot,¡± Iseut muttered, ¡°It definitely sounds like you want to be a boy. Do your parents know any of this?¡± Diot shook their head. Iseut asked, ¡°If you tell them, will they believe you? Do they usually believe you when you tell them things?¡± ¡°Yeah, they believe me,¡± Diot said, ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll let me be a boy?¡± ¡°I hope so,¡± Iseut said, frowning, ¡°Is that what you really want?¡± Diot smiled broadly. ¡°It is,¡± they decided, standing up, ¡°Thank you, Unicorn Lady.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d I could help,¡± Iseut said, heart melting a little. Diot paused, looking thoughtful, then pulled the ribbon out of their hair. They held it out for Iseut to take it. ¡°Here, you can have this,¡± they said, ¡°I won¡¯t need it anymore.¡± Iseut chuckled and took the ribbon in her own hands. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. Diot nodded and turned around, scampering out of the shrine. Iseut watched them go, grinning stupidly. Then her smile faded and she curled up to think. There had been all sorts of signs for Diot that made them want to be a boy. And Iseut couldn¡¯t help but think back to her own childhood. She¡¯d always preferred to y with girls instead of boys. Iseut would always fight against getting her hair cut. She didn¡¯t remember wanting to dresses and skirts, but a memory surfaced of her envying the other girls and how they got to y with dolls together. At the time, she thought she was just lonely. Nobody ever had to chastise her for wanting to y with dolls; she knew that boys weren¡¯t supposed to. ¡°Have I been a girl all along?¡± she asked the altar. There was no response. She gripped the ribbon in her hands tightly. All this time, and she never realized it? Was that the truth? Had she only gotten to see the unicorn because she was a girl this whole time? ¡°And people still think I¡¯m going to give this up,¡± she remembered, scowling. No, Aldith was on her side. Iseut had the advantage. Even if everyone else in the vige was against her being a girl, she didn¡¯t have to go back to being a man. She¡¯d convince them all, one by one if she had to. Rohesia, Morris, even her own father¡­ ¡°No point in putting it off,¡± she decided, standing up. She hadn¡¯t gotten a straight answer from the altar, but she definitely felt like she got what she was looking for. Iseut stood outside Rohesia¡¯s front door for a while, her stomach in knots. When she entered, Rohesia was at her stove stoking the little fire. Rohesia looked back at her but didn¡¯t say anything. Dinner was meat and vegetables. Iseut poked at her meal, but wasn¡¯t very hungry. Rohesia barely looked at her. She didn¡¯t seem angry with Iseut anymore, she just seemed tired. ¡°Is the squad doing okay?¡± Iseut asked. ¡°They¡¯re fine. How¡¯s the food?¡± ¡°It¡¯s good,¡± Iseut replied, taking a small bite, ¡°I was thinking of finding a new ce to stay.¡± ¡°Randel, you don¡¯t have to do that,¡± Rohesia said, before sighing, ¡°We¡¯re going to get through this.¡± Iseut nodded, pushing food around her te with the fork. ¡°Do you still want me to take over the squad?¡± she asked. Rohesia didn¡¯t answer right away, then responded, ¡°Maybe not as soon as I had nned.¡± ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Iseut told her. Rohesia¡¯s fork ttered on her te when she sat it down. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be more upset,¡± she said. Iseut sighed, then clenched her hands into fists and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a hunter anymore.¡± She held her breath. Rohesia didn¡¯t respond immediately, just drummed her fingers on the table. Iseut started to sweat. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Rohesia finally said, picking up her fork, ¡°Once you¡¯re a man again¡ª¡± Iseut mmed her hands on the table and cried, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a man again!¡± Rohesia pushed her te away and folded her arms on the table. ¡°This isn¡¯t who you¡­¡± Then she sighed. ¡°Why?¡± Iseut started to ramble, ¡°I think I¡¯ve always wanted to be a girl, I just didn¡¯t realize until now. I¡¯m happier like this, even if I can¡¯t ever use a bow again. I like the way I look. I like the thought of people looking at me and seeing a girl. I¡­¡± ¡°Randel¡ª¡± ¡°Iseut,¡± she interrupted, ¡°Like my mother.¡± Rohesia studied her for a moment, then continued, ¡°Randel, think about this. You don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to be a woman. Not really. Trust me, I¡¯ve spent my entire life dealing with it.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Iseut whispered, lowering her watering eyes, ¡°But I love this. I don¡¯t want to lose this. I was talking to one of the kids. He¡¯s like me, but he wants to be a boy instead of a girl. And talking to him reminded me of how much it feels like I¡¯m supposed to be a woman.¡± ¡°It just doesn¡¯t work that way,¡± Rohesia said, her expression softening. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t that easy. Being a woman is really hard, Randel.¡± Rohesia closed her eyes and shook her head. ¡°I had to work twice as hard as any man to get where I am. And people doubt you, constantly. You¡¯ll always be stuck having to prove them wrong. Being a woman requires more strength, not less, no matter what you might have been taught otherwise.¡± Randel lowered her head. ¡°You don¡¯t think I can do it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you understand what you¡¯re asking for.¡± ¡°But this is my only chance!¡± Iseut cried, ¡°If I go back to how I was, I¡¯ll never get to have this body again. I have tomit to it now. I¡¯m strong enough. I know I am.¡± Rohesia sighed and turned away from her. ¡°Maybe you are,¡± she muttered, ¡°It took a lot of strength to tell me how you felt. Being vulnerable isn¡¯t easy for anybody, and for a woman trust is incredibly important. If I¡¯m being honest, Randel¡­ Iseut¡­ I would never have guessed you¡¯d have that kind of strength in you.¡± Iseut¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°So you mean¡­?¡± ¡°You can still be a hunter as a woman, though.¡± ¡°Yeah, I know. I always looked up to you, Ro. But I don¡¯t think I want to do it anymore. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°What else are you going to do?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know yet. But I¡¯ll figure something out.¡± Rohesia nodded. ¡°If you want this, then I¡¯ll support you,¡± she said. ¡°You will?¡± ¡°I will.¡± Iseut sprang up from her chair and darted around the table. Rohesia started in surprise. She wasn¡¯t ready for Iseut to grab her in a hug. ¡°Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you.¡± ¡°Please let go¡­¡± Iseut released Rohesia and sat back down. Rohesia cleared her throat and added, ¡°But I¡¯m going to insist on giving you more training when we have free time. You need to know how to use your bow, just in case you ever need to defend the town one day.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Iseut said, but her heart sank a little, ¡°Do you have to be¡­ so strict about it, though?¡± Rohesia nced away and muttered, ¡°I guess I was being a little harsh. Especially when I used you of thinking that women are weak. I¡¯m sorry for the things I said. It was probably very hurtful. But you¡¯re going to be good by the time that I¡¯m done with you.¡± Iseut chuckled. Iseut slept well that night. In the morning, she opened up her trunk and gingerly removed the special blue dress that Hamon had made for her. For a moment, she just clutched it to her chest and breathed slowly. It fit perfectly. When Rohesia saw Iseut wearing the dress, she chuckled and Iseut blushed fiercely. Iseut mumbled that she had somewhere to go and scrambled to get her boots on. She passed by a lot of people, but the awkwardness that Iseut used to feel around people was gone. Iseut could walkfortably around town in a way she couldn¡¯t before. Something about Rohesia¡¯s eptance of her had given her confidence. ¡°Hello... Randel?¡± someone said, pausing when he saw what she was wearing. ¡°Hello Mr. Wyot,¡± she replied, grinning, ¡°Do you like my new dress?¡± ¡°I¡­ well¡­ you certainly look happy?¡± ¡°I am, Mr. Wyot. Thank you.¡± Iseut left him with her head held high, humming slightly to herself. She was outside of the tavern before she knew it. Inside, Stace was sitting with a group of other women at a table. ¡°There you are,¡± Stace said, ¡°Sit down. These are my friends. This is Eda, Wilmot, and that¡¯s Jocosa.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± Iseut whispered, sitting down and making herself look small. ¡°You¡¯re the chief¡¯s so¡ª um¡­ daughter?¡± Wilmot asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Iseut nodded, smiling softly. ¡°That dress is beautiful on you¡­ Iseut, was it?¡± Eda said. She felt her face start to burn and mumbled, ¡°Thank you.¡± Jocasa added, ¡°You¡¯re very pretty.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Stace said, ¡°She¡¯s already overwhelmed. Are you okay, Iseut?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said quietly, ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you all.¡± Eda asked in a hushed whisper, ¡°So did you really meet a unicorn?¡± Iseut chuckled and nodded, thenunched into the story. The other three women listened attentively. Slowly, Iseut was able to rx. For the first time in a while it felt like she was actually among friends. ¡°Are you really staying like this?¡± Jocasa asked, ¡°Like Stace said?¡± ¡°I am,¡± Iseut admitted, squirming a little. ¡°Have you told everyone?¡± Wilmot asked. ¡°Not yet,¡± Iseut admitted, ¡°I still have to tell my father. It won¡¯t be easy. But if I can convince him most people should follow his lead.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t support you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a shame.¡± ¡°What about your mother?¡± Eda asked. Iseut lowered her head. She heard Stace hiss something, but didn¡¯t pay attention. Even all these yearster it still stung to think about her mother. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Eda said, ¡°I¡¯d forgotten.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Iseut insisted. ¡°But you¡¯re living with your father, right?¡± Jocosa asked, frowning, ¡°You¡¯re not staying in a bunkhouse with a bunch of guys, are you?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m staying with Rohesia. The archery captain. In her little house.¡± The three women exchanged a long nce, before Wilmot said, ¡°You know¡­ we¡¯d have to ask the others sharing the bunkhouse with us, but we still have an extra bed if you¡¯re interested.¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re staying like this anyway,¡± Eda said, ¡°You¡¯ll need a ce to stay.¡± Jocasa finished, ¡°If you¡¯re a friend of Stace, you¡¯re definitely trustworthy enough.¡± ¡°What do you say?¡± Stace asked. Iseut smiled softly and shrank down in her seat. ¡°I appreciate the offer,¡± she said, ¡°But I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea right now.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± She nodded and continued, ¡°People in town still don¡¯t really see me as a woman yet. I just think that it could create some problems. I wouldn¡¯t befortable living with other women until I know that I¡¯m not going to have any problems because of it.¡± Eda shrugged and muttered, ¡°That makes sense, I guess. A shame, though.¡± ¡°So,¡± Wilmot said, ¡°What have you been doing now that you¡¯re a woman?¡± ¡°A little bit of everything,¡± Iseut replied, ¡°I was helping various people around town. Now I¡¯m helping Hamon, the tailor, with some of his projects, and he made me this dress in thanks. And Aldith is also starting to teach me some witchcraft too.¡± The three women shared a nce and snickered. ¡°What?¡± Iseut asked. Wilmot answered, ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just that we tease Stace for that all the time.¡± Stace added, ¡°Hopefully, now I won¡¯t have to bear all the teasing alone.¡± The group burst intoughter, and Iseut joined in. She felt¡­ rxed in a way that she normally wasn¡¯t with her male friends. It had been so long since she had any friends who were women. Iseut hadn¡¯t realized how much she missed it until right now. Eda was the first to leave, followed by Wilmot. Jocosa and Stace carried on talking for a while while Iseut listened in. Jocosa was talking about her parents and Stace was nodding along. Eventually Iseut stood up. ¡°I need to go face my father,¡± she dered. Stace nodded and gave her a firm smile, then asked, ¡°Do you want me toe with you?¡± Iseut thought it over for a moment, then shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s better if I do it alone. I need him to respect me as an equal, and that¡¯s going to be hard enough as it is. If you¡¯re there, he¡¯s going to think I¡¯m leaning on you.¡± ¡°Good luck,¡± Jocosa said. ¡°Thank you.¡± Iseut was wringing her hands as she left the tavern. She took a deep breath and whined. What was she going to do? There was no point in waiting, so Iseut started trudging toward the Grand Hall. He¡¯d hear about her new dress soon enough, the way that gossip spread around this little vige. She was breathing heavily when she entered the front room of the Grand Hall. Iseut¡¯s pulse was pounding in her ears. There were other people here, and they were staring at her. Quickly, Iseut took the ribbon Diot had given to her from her pocket and wrapped it around her hand, clenching it for strength. ¡°Are you okay, miss?¡± someone asked, and Iseut just pushed past them. ¡°Father!¡± she cried, entering the main hall. Several of the chairs around her father were upied by important members of the town, who all looked up at Iseut when she burst in. ¡°What is it, boy?!¡± Hann bellowed, standing up, ¡°You¡¯re interrupting something.¡± She replied in a small voice, ¡°I need to speak with you¡­ alone.¡± For a moment, she thought Hann would send her away. Then he gestured her to follow and headed quickly for a nearby door. Clutching the folds of her dress in sweaty hands, Iseut followed. They entered the empty kitchen and Hann closed the door. ¡°What are you wearing, boy?¡± he growled. ¡°It¡¯s a dress I helped to make, father,¡± she replied, grabbing it tighter, ¡°I like the way it feels to wear.¡± ¡°Return home and put on some normal clothes,¡± Hann said, softer than Iseut had expected. She shook her head. Iseut¡¯s mouth was dry. She tried to swallow and failed. Rohesia had told her that it required a lot of strength to be vulnerable. Iseut needed to be strong to face her father. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back to being a man,¡± she said. Hann opened his mouth to reply, but Iseut continued, ¡°I¡¯m happy now in a way that I wasn¡¯t before. The thought of going back to the way I used to look fills me with dread.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not thinking straight,¡± Hann replied, shaking his head and folding his arms, ¡°You¡¯re mind is addled by the effects of magic. Once you go back to the way you¡¯re supposed to be, you¡¯ll realize that you never truly wanted this.¡± Iseut groaned, then took a seat. ¡°No,¡± she said, ¡°If I change back, I won¡¯t ever have this opportunity again. I¡¯ll still be a woman at heart but stuck with a big, hairy, ugly body I¡¯m not happy with.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t stay like this.¡± ¡°Why not?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not right!¡± Hann cried, turning red in the face, ¡°This isn¡¯t who you¡¯re supposed to be. If you were supposed to be a girl, you would have realized it before now. And in the long run, you won¡¯t be happy with this decision.¡± Iseut protested, ¡°There were always signs. I just didn¡¯t realize them. Remember how I used to always y with other girls?¡± ¡°Other girls? Randel, you¡¯re my son! You always have been. I would know if you weren¡¯t.¡± ¡°I am not your son!¡± Iseut cried, standing back up, ¡°And¡­ I want to be called Iseut. After my mother.¡± Hann paused, as if struck. Then his face contorted in anger. ¡°How dare you disrespect your mother like this, boy,¡± he growled. ¡°You named me after your father,¡± Iseut shot back. Hann turned around and walked away from Iseut. For a moment, he stood just facing the wall. Then he rammed his fist into the wall before turning back to face Iseut. ¡°When the witch figures out how to turn you back, you¡¯re going back to being a man. This fantasy has gone on for long enough. If you try to follow this path, I will not support you.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t do it,¡± Iseut said. She couldn¡¯t look directly at him, but she wouldn¡¯t let him have thest word. ¡°This is who I am now. And I like myself better this way.¡± She opened the door and walked out while Hann seethed quietly. Iseut didn¡¯t look at any of the assembled vigers still sitting at the big table. It didn¡¯t matter what they thought of her. As soon as she was outside, Iseut let go of a deep breath. Every part of her was shaking. Her father was mad at her. Iseut¡¯s life might get a lot harder from here on out. But she¡¯d stood up to her father. She felt good. 9. Canary in the Coal Mine 9. Canary in the Coal Mine It was a warm morning, and sweat ran down Iseut¡¯s face as she took aim. Rohesia¡¯s hands were on her arms, keeping them steady. Iseut took a deep breath and let the arrow fly. Itnded right in the center of the target. ¡°Very good,¡± Rohesia said, patting Iseut on the back, ¡°But go a little faster.¡± Iseut grinned and nocked another arrow. It was a struggle to hold herself steady against the strain of the tense bow. She focused on her breathing and tried to draw forth her hunter¡¯s instincts. Iseut let the arrow fly and itnded close to the first. Rohesia nodded and said, ¡°Your uracy is getting better.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Try to go faster, though. One breath between drawing the arrow and letting go.¡± Iseut frowned. ¡°I used to be so good at this,¡± she mumbled. ¡°And you will be again, with practice.¡± Afterward, Iseut sat down on the steps of the hunting cabin and massaged her sore arms. She rubbed her fingers together, feeling the new callouses finally start to form. Iseut wasn¡¯t as soft as she used to be, and that bothered her, but the familiar callouses were nice to feel. Rohesia sat down next to her, shifting ufortably. A gentle breeze blew hair into her face, and Ro shook her head aggressively. ¡°Should just cut this all off,¡± she said. ¡°I remember you with short hair,¡± Iseut replied, pulling the ribbon out of her own hair and letting it fall, ¡°I was always upset. I thought, if I had long hair I¡¯d never get rid of it.¡± After a moment, Rohesia asked, ¡°How did we not realize you were a girl this whole time?¡± ¡°Hey, guys can want long hair too.¡± Ro chuckled. ¡°How are you fitting in?¡± she asked. Iseut shrugged and replied, ¡°Okay, I guess. People are slow to change.¡± ¡°Have you been talking with other women?¡± Iseut furled her brow. ¡°A little. Why?¡± Rohesia told her, ¡°If you¡¯re going to live like this from now on, you need practice interacting with other women, learning how we behave.¡± ¡°Ever the teacher,¡± Iseut teased. ¡°You were my best student.¡± She paused. ¡°Nobody has been treating you poorly, have they? Because I won¡¯t stand for anybody mistreating one of my own.¡± Iseut chuckled. It looked like there was a bit of momma bear in Rohesia after all. As aggressive as she could be, she had a soft spot for the people who mattered to her. ¡°Ro, why did you never start a family of your own?¡± she asked, ¡°I think you¡¯d be a good mother.¡± ¡°Family isn¡¯t for everyone,¡± Rohesia replied, frowning slightly, ¡°I never wanted children of my own. People gave me a hard time for it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I have you,¡± she insisted, looking away, ¡°Do you want children?¡± After a moment, Iseut nodded. ¡°Yeah, I do. I just didn¡¯t think that I¡¯d be the one to carry them.¡± Rohesia stood up. ¡°Be careful what you say,¡± she said, ¡°People might think you¡¯re starting to regret your decision.¡± ¡°Never,¡± Iseut insisted, standing up as well. Iseut picked up her bow and the two began walking toward town. Rohesia asked, ¡°So what are you nning to do now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Iseut admitted, wiping the cold sweat from her face, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what to do next. But I guess I¡¯m going to need to find a new ce to stay.¡± ¡°Eventually,¡± Rohesia agreed. Iseut continued, ¡°Some new friends of mine said that they have a free bed.¡± ¡°Do you want that?¡± ¡°I¡­ think so.¡± Iseut frowned. ¡°But what if things are awkward between us? I used to be a guy until a week and a half ago.¡± ¡°The only way to make things better is to embrace the new opportunities fully. You need practice being a woman just like you need practice with your bow.¡± Iseut stopped just outside the gate, and Rohesia stopped to look at her. ¡°You think I should take them up on their offer?¡± Iseut asked. ¡°If you don¡¯t take advantage of the opportunities in front of you, they¡¯ll slip away,¡± Rohesia reminded her. Iseut nodded slowly. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said, walking through the gate into town, ¡°I¡¯ll ask them if they¡¯ll let me move into the bunkhouse with them.¡± But her stomach was turning. ¡°If this goes bad¡­ can I move back in with you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help find you a ce where you¡¯refortable,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°But I¡¯m going to ask you to stick it out for a week first. Unless it just doesn¡¯t work at all.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± Iseut murmured. Then she asked, quietly, ¡°Are you upset with me for quitting? I know you wanted me to take over the squad.¡± Rohesia frowned and admitted, ¡°I was a little disappointed at first, but the truth is I just want you to be happy, Iseut.¡± A warm feeling bubbled up in Iseut¡¯s stomach. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°And Judd will just take over the squad instead,¡± Rohesia finished. ¡°Judd?! You can¡¯t be serious!¡± Rohesia threw her head back and startedughing. That afternoon, Iseut returned to Aldith¡¯s hut eager to learn more about magic. But when she knocked and entered the hut, Iseut saw Stace scribbling into arge book. Stace gave her a long re that screamed ¡°run!¡± but it was toote. Aldith closed the door behind Iseut and exined what they were doing. ¡°Some of the old books are fading,¡± she said softly with a smile, ¡°They¡¯re a few generations old. We need to start copying them onto fresh paper. I hope you have good handwriting, deary.¡± Iseut sat down next to Stace and started muttering obscenities under her breath as she worked. Stace would asionally nce her way and smirk at something Iseut said. Sometimes she¡¯d mutter something back and they¡¯d snicker, earning them a re from Aldith on the other side of the room. ¡°Are you children now?¡± she asked suddenly, still keeping her voice even. ¡°No ma¡¯am¡­¡± Stace mumbled. ¡°We¡¯re sorry, owldy,¡± Iseut added, and Stace burst outughing. Aldith was struggling not to grin herself. She told Iseut, ¡°I hope you¡¯re not regretting your decision to ept my offer of apprenticeship.¡± Iseut¡¯s hand was getting sore, but she shook her head. ¡°No ma¡¯am. Learning about magic this past week has¡­ well, it¡¯s really changed things for me,¡± she admitted, ¡°Everything feels a little different now. I think I understand nature better. I want things to be different for me now that I feel like I¡¯m more in touch with my spiritual side.¡± Aldith nodded sagely. Iseut continued, ¡°I really appreciate that you¡¯re doing this for me.¡± She paused to shake out her hand. ¡°If not for you, I would probably have just rushed back into my old life as soon as possible. You really gave me a second chance.¡± She could see Aldith smile softly across the room. The big-eyed witch closed her book and sat it aside, then stood up. Aldith walked over and sat down beside Iseut in order to inspect the work she was doing. ¡°How is your life going to change from this point on, then?¡± she asked. Iseut felt her smile fade. She stopped writing for a moment. Both Aldith and Stace looked up to watch her. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she answered, setting the quill pen down, ¡°I¡¯ve been taking things one day at a time. I¡¯m not sure what I actually want in the long run¡­¡± Aldith nodded, then took Iseut¡¯s hand and started massaging it gently. ¡°If you could have anything,¡± she said, ¡°what would it be?¡± ¡°There¡¯s so much¡­ I wouldn¡¯t know where to begin¡­¡± ¡°Anything, dear.¡± ¡°Anything I want?¡± Aldith nodded, but Iseut squirmed a little and pulled her hand away. ¡°Well¡­¡± She got a faraway look in her eyes. ¡°I guess I¡¯d like to have kids of my own some day. Find a husband, get over my fear of being pregnant. I want to continue learning magic so that I can help the town; hopefully it will help me feel more connected to nature and the spiritual world. And maybe I could one day be as good a tailor as Hamon is. Is that enough?¡± Stace answered, ¡°That sounds perfect.¡± Iseut smiled softly, then picked up her quill pen again to start writing. ¡°I never really felt like I had that kind of freedom,¡± she continued, ¡°I figured that my life was basically decided for me already.¡± ¡°Well, perhaps the unicorn isn¡¯t the only creature that got a second chance at life in those woods,¡± Aldith mused. Iseut felt her cheeks start to get warm. ¡°Yeah, I guess that¡¯s true,¡± she admitted, smiling softly to herself. By the time Stace and Iseut were done for the evening, they had only made a small dent in the work they needed to finish. Both of them had hands that were too cramped to use. By the time they made it to the tavern, they were using their less dominant hands to hold their drinks. ¡°You really don¡¯t regret bing her apprentice yet?¡± Stace asked Iseut. ¡°She won¡¯t scare me off that easily,¡± Iseut replied, grinning stupidly. ¡°At least it¡¯s not as boring with you around.¡± ¡°I do make everything better,¡± Iseut agreed, ¡°But I wanted to ask you something. Can you talk to your friends and tell them that I want to take them up on their offer?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Yeah. I want to try moving in with them.¡± Stace nodded, saying, ¡°They¡¯ll be happy to hear that. Are you sure you¡¯re ready?¡± ¡°I think so. I have to try, anyway.¡± She finished her drink and the green-eyed bartender came by with another one. ¡°You¡¯re starting to get the hang of this, then?¡± Meggy asked. ¡°I think so,¡± Iseut replied as another man walked up beside her to get a drink. Meggy turned back to the keg to pour another drink and continued, ¡°You¡¯re awfully brave formitting to this. I used to see youe in here every couple of weeks, and you¡¯ve never looked as happy as you do now. It warms my heart.¡± Iseut smiled, feeling blush return to her face. But the man who hade up to the counter scoffed. Iseut leaned away, closer to Stace who ced a supportive hand on her arm. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Stace asked. ¡°Hann is right,¡± he said, ¡°He¡¯s a man and he needs to act like it. This behavior is going to confuse people. It¡¯s going to confuse the kids. People can¡¯t go changing between man and woman. It¡¯s not right.¡± Meggy ced the tankard on the counter and said, ¡°Maybe you should take your drink and go.¡± But Iseut wasn¡¯t going to sit silently either. ¡°Maybe the best thing for children is to see that they aren¡¯t stuck with the life that they¡¯ve been given if it¡¯s not right for them,¡± she snapped, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just the first person to try something new and make sure that it¡¯s alright after all.¡± The stranger snorted. ¡°Everybody would be better off if things went back to normal,¡± he said. Iseut just grit her teeth. Meggy pushed the tankard into the man¡¯s arms and ordered, ¡°Leave.¡± He red at Iseut for a moment, then took his drink and walked away muttering under his breath. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that,¡± Meggy said. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t mind him,¡± Stace added. ¡°It¡¯s not a problem,¡± Iseut insisted, ¡°And¡­ I mean that. It doesn¡¯t bother me as much as I thought it would.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Stace asked. Iseut took another drink and nodded, adding, ¡°I guess it¡¯s because¡­ I won. I get to stay like this. Nobody anyone says can take that away from me. I just wish¡­ he shouldn¡¯t have brought in children like he did. It makes me worried for¡­ if any of them decide¡­¡± Meggy replied, ¡°I¡¯ve heard you don¡¯t get along well with your father, kid, but Hann is a good person deep down. If someone¡¯s kid said they¡¯d rather be a different gender or no gender at all or whatever, he¡¯d be understanding. I think he¡¯s just¡­ maybe too close to you to see what¡¯s best for his own kid.¡± ¡°I hope so¡­¡± Stace added, ¡°People will change. They¡¯ll see that you¡¯re happier this way and the world isn¡¯t ending as a result and they¡¯ll just ept it. You¡¯re going to have more than just my friends helping you out before long.¡± Iseut whined a little and clutched her drink close to her. ¡°I really want to believe you,¡± she said, ¡°But I¡¯m nervous. This is all so new.¡± ¡°If nothing else, you have us to lean on,¡± Meggy assured her. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for that much.¡± Meggy had to attend to other patrons, leaving Stace and Iseut alone for the most part. asionally she¡¯d stop what she was doing and listen in, evenugh ordingly. Iseut slowly found her calm again, and by the time she was finished with her second drink she felt fine again. ¡°Randel.¡± The hair on Iseut¡¯s neck stood up and she turned around slowly. A man about her age with a thick beard was standing in front of her awkwardly. She gulped and took Stace¡¯s hand forfort. ¡°Judd,¡± she said. ¡°Hello Randel¡ª¡± ¡°My name is Iseut now,¡± she said. Iseut felt another hand on her shoulder, presumably Meggy¡¯s. Judd took a deep breath and sighed. ¡°Okay,¡± he said quietly, ¡°Morris is looking for you.¡± Iseut felt her stomach turn over, and she wanted to throw up both of her drinks. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see him,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Whatever,¡± Judd said, looking away, ¡°I¡¯ve done my part. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on between you two, but I don¡¯t want any part of it.¡± He turned and walked away. Iseut let out the deep breath she¡¯d been holding. Stace leaned in and grabbed her in a gentle hug. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said, ¡°Just focus on how you¡¯re going to get a new ce to sleep very soon.¡± The next day, as Stace and Iseut were copying down more pages onto fresh paper, Stace confirmed to Iseut that she¡¯d talked to her friends and their offer was still on the table. Iseut was relieved, then nervous all over again. They wanted her to move in that night. In a few hours, she¡¯d be moving her things into an uncertain future. ¡°I¡¯m not ready for this,¡± she told Stace, shaking her sore hand out. ¡°Yes you are,¡± Stace insisted, not looking up from her work, ¡°At every turn, you¡¯ve been ready. You just need confidence.¡± When Iseut found herself standing in front of her packed chest that night, she was shaking. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Rohesia asked. ¡°I have to do this,¡± she replied, ¡°I just don¡¯t know if I¡¯m strong enough.¡± ¡°You are.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d you believe in me. That means so much.¡± ¡°Do you need help moving the trunk?¡± Iseut snorted and grinned. ¡°I guess I¡¯d better get used to being vulnerable,¡± she said, ¡°Please. It¡¯s not¡­ terribly far.¡± Ro chuckled and picked up the chest without any difficulty. She followed Iseut out the door and through town. Iseut kept asking if she was okay. It felt weird not to be helping. ¡°Here we are,¡± she said nervously, stopping in front of an unfamiliar bunkhouse. Rohesia sat the trunk down and turned to face Iseut. ¡°I¡¯ll see you for our next training session,¡± she said. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Then Rohesia surprised Iseut by raising her arms to offer a hug. Iseut chuckled a little and stepped forward. They embraced, and it was tense and brief, and then Rohesia stepped away. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± Rohesia assured Iseut. She walked away, leaving Iseut alone in front of the bunkhouse. She clenched her hands into fists and knocked. For a moment, everything was still. The door opened and Stace¡¯s friend Eda was standing there. Her eyes lit up when she saw Iseut, and she swung the door wide open before stepping forward and grabbing Iseut¡¯s hands. ¡°Come on in!¡± she cried. The bunkhouse was nearly full. Wilmot and Jocosa were also there, sitting on a bed together. There were two other women in there, and when Iseut counted the beds there was one empty. Iseut tried to make herself a little smaller. ¡°I¡¯m happy to be here,¡± she mumbled. ¡°d you agreed to move in,¡± Jocosa said. She briefly introduced Iseut to the other two women, who nodded curtly but said nothing. Wilmot leaned over and rested her head on Jocosa¡¯s shoulder, adding, ¡°We promise not to be too loud while you¡¯re trying to sleep.¡± Iseut chuckled and sat down on the unupied bed while Eda dragged her trunk inside. ¡°So you¡¯re the girl who used to be a guy?¡± one of the other women asked. Iseut nodded. ¡°And you¡¯re going to be staying here from now on?¡± Iseut groaned, but Jocosa quickly shot back, ¡°We asked her to move in, remember?¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Iseut muttered. ¡°What¡¯s it like, though?¡± Eda asked, sitting down next to Iseut on the bed, ¡°And do you really like it better than being a guy?¡± Iseut sighed and replied, ¡°Yeah, I like it better. But I think I was always supposed to be a woman.¡± ¡°How do you know?¡± Wilmot asked earnestly. ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m actually pretty tired. I could use a nap before dinner.¡± ¡°Oh, of course,¡± Eda said, standing up, ¡°We can talkter.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Iseut replied, but her heart sank. She just wanted to put this behind her. Now she really did feel exhausted. The next time she was at the shrine, she was going to need to pray for strength. Iseut pulled her nket from her chest and curled up on the straw mattress. She closed her eyes and tried to shut out the mutters around her. ¡°Is she really going to stay here permanently?¡± ¡°Should we even be calling them ¡®she¡¯? They weren¡¯t raised a girl like we were.¡± ¡°Are youfortable with this?¡± ¡°Rx. Stace vouches for her.¡± ¡°Stace is kind of weird, too. I don¡¯t know how you three are friends with her.¡± ¡°At least she doesn¡¯t live with us. This girl is probably weird too.¡± ¡°Yeah, okay, she¡¯s a little weird, but it¡¯s not her fault.¡± Iseut shut her eyes tight to try and stop the flow of tears. This would get better, right? If she was patient, this would all pass. She had to believe that. 10. Facing the Wolves 10. Facing the Wolves Hamon¡¯s house was dim inside and a faint pleasant smoke wasing from the stove. Iseut watched from the doorway as Hamon walked up to the woman preparing a meal and kissed her briefly on the cheek. A tall young man about Iseut¡¯s own age was setting wooden tes on a table. A small boy was running around with a little barking dog, getting in everyone¡¯s way. ¡°Iseut,e in,¡± Hamon insisted. All eyes were on Iseut as she took a few tentative steps inside. ¡°Hello,¡± she managed to stammer out. ¡°Hello dear,¡± Hamon¡¯s wife said, ¡°Dinner is almost ready. I hope you like chicken.¡± ¡°I love chicken,¡± Iseut mumbled, slowly walking into the room, ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet everybody.¡± Hamon¡¯s wife stepped away from the stove to take Iseut¡¯s hands. ¡°My name is Amice. This is my older son, Wybert.¡± The young man waved. ¡°And my younger son Jankin.¡± The smaller child hid nervously behind his mother. Iseut could rte to the impulse. ¡°Sit down,¡± Amice told Iseut, ¡°You¡¯re our guest. Rest up before dinner.¡± Iseut bit her lip and nodded, then sat down at the table. Shouldn¡¯t she at least be helping out? After a moment, the older son Wybert sat down across from Iseut. She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. ¡°Hello,¡± he said, ¡°So you¡¯re working with my father?¡± She nodded, managing to respond, ¡°I¡¯m trying to be helpful. It¡¯s enjoyable work. What do you do?¡± ¡°I work at the stables with the horses. Jankin talks about how he¡¯s going to grow up and make pretty dresses like our father.¡± ¡°He does make pretty dresses,¡± Iseut admitted, clutching at the folds of her own outfit. ¡°And you look very pretty in one,¡± Wybert said. Iseut felt the heat rising in her cheeks and she had to look away. When she nced back at Wybert, he was grinning. There were butterflies in Iseut¡¯s stomach. What was she doing? Iseut barely knew this guy. Why was she feeling this way? Was she just going to feel this way around every guy from now on? The thought made her shiver. She wanted to have guy friends too. ¡°Um¡­ excuse me,¡± she said, standing up, ¡°I just need some fresh air.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Wybert replied, a little surprised. Iseut wrapped her arms around her stomach and rushed outside into the fresh evening air. She stopped and took a few deep breaths, listening to the sounds of the kitchen inside. Then she leaned up against the stone wall of therge wooden house and closed her eyes. Were she and Morris even still friends? She still felt the same way about him. Didn¡¯t she? And she wanted to believe things would work out between them. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Hamon had stepped outside to check on her. ¡°Yeah. Sorry. I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Is there anything you want to talk about?¡± Iseut nodded, replying, ¡°Actually, yes. I had a talk with my squad leader. I¡¯m not going to be a hunter anymore.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Hamon asked, leaning up against the wall, ¡°What will you do now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Iseut admitted, ¡°Beforeing to help you, I tried a few different things. The furrier. The fishery. The bakehouse. I wasn¡¯t very good at any of them, since I didn¡¯t know what I was doing. You put a lot of care into showing me what to do. When I¡¯m done helping you, I can keep looking around for a new job, but I don¡¯t know what I want to do except¡­¡± Hamon smiled softly, then said, ¡°You¡¯d need a lot of training, but you could very well made a tailor one day. If you had someone to take you on as an apprentice, that is.¡± He was teasing her! How unfair! ¡°I¡¯m getting on in years,¡± Hamon admitted, ¡°My fingers aren¡¯t as nimble as they used to be. An extra set of hands would be invaluable. Do you want to be my apprentice until you can stand on your own?¡± Iseut should have yed coy and pretended that she needed time to think it over. But instead she sighed in relief. Her knees were weak. Iseut had been more nervous than she realized. ¡°I¡¯d love to,¡± she said. Hamon grinned and replied, ¡°Then I¡¯d better make a good teacher. Come on inside. Dinner is ready.¡± Iseut grinned and followed him inside. Dinner was wonderful, even if Iseut couldn¡¯t look at Wybert without a bubbly feeling in her gut. Amice kept asking Iseut questions about her life. Hamon hadn¡¯t told her who Iseut really was, for which Iseut was grateful. It meant a lot that he would respect her privacy, even from his own family. The next day, Iseut made sure to visit the shrine as soon as she had the opportunity. Another night in the bunkhouse had left her feeling drained and in need of spiritual rejuvenation. It was a relief to fall to her knees and let the tension wash off of her. ¡°Despite everything, thank you,¡± she began, slipping into a meditative trance, ¡°Thank you for how much my life has changed. As hard as it is, I appreciate the opportunity.¡± Iseut took a deep breath. ¡°Now I plead with you, spirits: give me strength. Lead me to people who can help me. I won¡¯t be able to do this all on my own.¡± There was no immediate answer, but Iseut felt better. The atmosphere in the shrine had changed too, ever so slightly. Was that something she would have even been able to notice before she started meditating? Iseut felt more aware than she used to. At the very least, she was aware that someone had quietly entered the shrine behind her. Iseut turned around and smiled at the short-haired boy who had found her. He grinned in return. ¡°Hello Diot,¡± she said, ¡°Do you want to sit down?¡± He nodded, then sat down cross-legged next to where Iseut was kneeling. ¡°You got your hair cut,¡± she noticed. ¡°My father did it for me,¡± Diot replied, blushing, ¡°when I told him that I wanted to be a boy. I like it. It¡¯s not getting in my face anymore.¡± Iseut chuckled and ran her hands through her own long hair. She barely remembered it being short. And she would absolutely hate it now. She and the kid were so simr and yet so different. Diot was squirming. There was clearly something he wanted to say but wasn¡¯t finding the words for. This time, though, Iseut didn¡¯t actually have any idea what he wanted to say. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± she asked. ¡°Um¡­ I need a new name,¡± he replied very quietly. ¡°That makes sense. Did you ask your parents toe up with one?¡± Diot blushed harder. ¡°I know what name I want¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°Okay, what is it?¡± Diot looked away, then said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to say.¡± Iseut was perplexed. ¡°Why not?¡± she asked. ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing!¡± ¡°How could it be embarrassing? What¡¯s the name?¡± Diot mumbled something under his breath that Iseut couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°¡­you don¡¯t have to tell me if you don¡¯t want to,¡± Iseut told him. ¡°I¡­ um¡­ it¡¯s just¡­¡± Then, very quietly, he asked, ¡°Can I have your old name?¡± Iseut blinked. ¡°My old name?¡± He nodded. Iseut felt her cheeks start to burn. That was¡­ surprising, to say the least. She hadn¡¯t even considered the possibility¡­ ¡°Of course you can,¡± she said, ¡°That¡¯s absolutely okay.¡± The kid¡ªRandel¡ªwas beaming. He reached over and grabbed Iseut in a tight hug. She couldn¡¯t fight a grin. ¡°Thank you!¡± he cried, ¡°Thank you so much!¡± ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy, Randel,¡± she replied, patting him softly on the back. He sprang to his feet and turned toward the doorway of the shrine. ¡°I¡¯m going to tell my parents!¡± he cried. He ran out of there with his head held high. Iseut couldn¡¯t help but chuckle a little as she watched him go. She sincerely hoped he¡¯d have an easier time than she was. Because of that meeting, Iseut was going to bete for her magical training. She really hoped Aldith was in a forgiving mood. The memory of her lecture about the importance of timeliness was at the front of Iseut¡¯s mind. Surely. Aldith would understand that helping the kid was important, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to get an earful,¡± Iseut realized. She rapped on the door and opened it slowly. ¡°Aldith? I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Good. Come in and shut the door, quickly.¡± The scolding wasing. Iseut gulped and followed her orders. Aldith and Stace were sitting by the cold firece, haunched over arge book. Both looked perturbed. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Iseut asked. ¡°Nothing is wrong,¡± Aldith insisted, ¡°But you¡¯ll want to sit down.¡± Iseut took a ce on the bed and furled her brow. Aldith continued, ¡°A week ago, I sent a letter asking for help from one of my old colleagues. He sent back a book that has info on how to magically lure a unicorn. It just arrived.¡± Iseut¡¯s mouth was dry. ¡°If you want, we can still hide this. It¡¯s you¡¯re choice what to do.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Iseut sprang to her feet. ¡°We have to hide this! Nobody can know. They¡¯ll force me to go back. I can¡¯t go back to who I was, Aldith.¡± ¡°I know, Iseut. I won¡¯t tell anyone. But we do need to tell your father something. He¡¯s been banging on my door demanding answers.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Iseut muttered, sitting back down and curling up on the bed, ¡°Do I have to be there?¡± ¡°It would help,¡± Aldith admitted, ¡°If you can show him that you¡¯re at ease with your fate, he¡¯ll be more likely to ept that there¡¯s nothing to be done. If he has any reason to believe that you¡¯re unhappy, he¡¯ll move heaven and earth to find a cure.¡± Iseut nodded. She saw the logic in Aldith¡¯s words. But even after standing up to her father, she didn¡¯t really want to face him again. He was still an aggressive, intimidating figure. ¡°If I must go, I will,¡± she decided. ¡°We¡¯ll be there too,¡± Stace reminded her. Aldith stood up and said, ¡°We should do it now. We can return to your training when it¡¯s done.¡± Iseut trailed after Aldith and Stace as they walked through town. She took her ribbon out of her pocket and tied it loosely around her wrist. It was something she started doing to calm and center herself, and she definitely needed that right now. The Grand Hall loomed over Iseut, making her feel even smaller than she normally did. She gulped and followed herpanions through the front doors. Hann was sitting at therge table where several other people were sitting around him. As soon as he saw Aldith, Iseut, and Stace, though, he dismissed everyone immediately. Soon the four of them were alone, and Iseut found herself trying to hide behind Aldith. ¡°I hope you have answers,¡± Hann said, folding his arms on the table. ¡°I¡¯ve checked all my reference materials,¡± Aldith said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ve even sent letters to my colleagues in other towns and cities. The unanimous conclusion is that a unicorn cannot be lured anywhere by mundane or magical means. They also don¡¯t return to areas they¡¯ve already been. There¡¯s nothing that can be done.¡± Hann swore loudly, banging his hand on the table and making Iseut flinch. ¡°There is something!¡± he cried out, standing up and beginning to pace, ¡°You need to keep looking.¡± Aldith kept her voice level and emotionless as she responded, ¡°Hann, this is a hunt for nothing. You need toe to terms with the fact that there¡¯s nothing more to be done. The opportunity to undo what happened to your child is long gone.¡± Hann focused his gaze on Iseut, who gulped and started fiddling with her hands. ¡°So this is the way that things are going to be from now on?¡± he asked. Iseut nodded, though she wasn¡¯t sure if he was actually speaking to her. After a moment, Hann sat down and pressed his hands against his forehead. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. ¡°Are you really okay with this?¡± he asked. ¡°I am, father,¡± Iseut replied weakly. Stace took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. Iseut continued, more firmly, ¡°I¡¯m happier now than I have been for a very long time. I know you don¡¯t believe it, but I was always supposed to be a woman and didn¡¯t realize it. If anyone else had been transformed in my ce, they would be miserable. I¡­ wouldn¡¯t go back even if I could.¡± Stace squeezed her hand more firmly. Hann wasn¡¯t paying attention to them. He had bowed his head and was muttering to himself. Finally, he raised his head and sighed. ¡°Then I suppose there¡¯s nothing to be done,¡± he said, ¡°Very well. The town will just have to ept you as a woman from here on out. There is no other option.¡± Iseut could breathe easy again. She let go of Stace¡¯s hand and ran her fingers through her hair. It wasn¡¯t the total eptance that Iseut hadn¡¯t even dared to dream of, but it was a start. A huge weight had been lifted from her back and she could breathe easily again. ¡°My child,¡± Hann said quietly, finally addressing Iseut. He got out of his seat and walked up to her, but refused to look at her directly. ¡°Two days ago, a couple came by to tell me that their child had told them he wanted to be a boy instead of a girl. They were seeking my blessing. It would be hypocritical of me to grant them my assurance of help and not offer the same thing for my own blood.¡± Iseut nodded. ¡°Thank you, father,¡± she said quietly. ¡°I hope you have a n for what to do next,¡± he replied. ¡°I do.¡± But it was a struggle not to bite her lip. Stepping out of the Grand Hall was a relief for Iseut. She sighed happily. But then Aldith stopped and turned to face Iseut. ¡°Is it too much to assume that you had something to do with this child in question?¡± ¡°He came to me,¡± Iseut defended herself, ¡°I just helped him figure out what they wanted.¡± Aldith grinned. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re already helping the town, then,¡± she said. Iseut¡¯s heart fluttered and she smiled softly. Aldith continued, ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready to get back to writing.¡± Iseut groaned, but nodded. By the time they were done for the evening, Iseut¡¯s hand hurt. How many more days of this were left? If this went on for much longer, her hands would be too messed up to effectively help Hamon. Iseut was so upied with her pain as she walked home that she almost didn¡¯t notice him. When she did, her heart nearly stopped. A burly young man was standing just a short ways ahead, and was looking right at Iseut. She turned and started walking down a different road. Iseut couldn¡¯t face Morris. There was no way she could make him understand. ¡°Randel!¡± Iseut broke out into a run. ¡°Randel! Stop!¡± Her knees buckled and Iseut went tumbling. She managed tond on her hands and knees, but was shaking. Iseut kept her eyes closed but could tell when Morris¡¯s shadow fell over her. ¡°Go away,¡± she begged. ¡°Stand up,¡± he ordered. Iseut was still trembling, but managed to get to her feet and turn towards him. Iseut kept her eyes down so she couldn¡¯t see his expression. Her breathing was shallow. ¡°What is going on?¡± Morris asked. She chanced a nce upward. Morris didn¡¯t look angry; he looked confused. Iseut tried to swallow the lump in her throat and failed. ¡°People are saying that you¡¯re going to stay like this?¡± Morris continued, ¡°Why do they think that? Who¡¯s been telling them that?¡± ¡°Morris, I¡­ I wanted to tell you¡­¡± Morris flinched, as if struck. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± he said darkly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, Randel?!¡± ¡°Nothing is wrong with me!¡± Iseut cried, curling her hands into fists, ¡°I want to stay like this. I¡¯m supposed to be a woman after all.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± Morris replied, ¡°You¡¯re my best friend, Randel. I know you better than anybody. If you were a girl I would have figured it out by now.¡± Iseut took a step back and turned to the side, exining, ¡°I didn¡¯t even know, Morris.¡± ¡°Then how do you know now?¡± he demanded, ¡°How can you be sure you didn¡¯t talk yourself into believing something that¡¯s not true. Or¡ª¡± his eyes narrowed ¡°¡ªmaybe it¡¯s that witch whispering things into your ear. People have said you¡¯ve been spending an awful lot of time with her.¡± Iseut sighed and threw up her hands. ¡°She¡¯s teaching me to use magic, Morris.¡± ¡°What?! Why?¡± Morris looked pained. ¡°What good could that possibly do? And you already have a job!¡± Iseut took in a sharp breath. ¡°She didn¡¯t tell you yet?¡± she asked. ¡°Who? Tell me what?¡± ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Iseut started pulling at her hair and groaned. ¡°I thought Rohesia had told you. I¡¯m quitting my job as a hunter. I¡¯m going to be a tailor from now on.¡± Morris was stunned. Iseut couldn¡¯t look at him for more than a second before turning away. ¡°What?¡± Iseut nodded. ¡°How¡­ you can¡¯t¡­ Randel¡­¡± ¡°My name is Iseut, now,¡± she replied firmly, ¡°Respect that or don¡¯t use my name.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe this,¡± Morris muttered, ¡°I¡¯m losing my best friend and nobody cares.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Morris, but you¡¯re not losing me. I¡¯m just changing.¡± ¡°Into an entirely different person!¡± Morris cried, ¡°I¡­ I need to go.¡± ¡°Morris!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me!¡± He started to walk away, and Iseut started to follow him. ¡°Stay away from me!¡± ¡°I still want to be friends!¡± Morris turned around and bellowed, ¡°I don¡¯t know you!¡± ¡°Yes you do!¡± Iseut cried, grabbing onto his arm. It was so much biggerpared to her now than it used to be. Morris flinched as if her mere touch burned. She continued, ¡°I¡¯m the girl who saved your ass when you got into a fight with a bear that one time. I¡¯m the girl who stayed up all night with you when we got lost in the woods. I¡¯m the girl who helped nurse you back to health when you were sick for an entire month. And I¡¯m the girl who trained with you when you were recovering.¡± ¡°Randel did those things with me,¡± Morris replied, pulling his hand away, ¡°Not you.¡± ¡°I still want to be friends,¡± Iseut repeated. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you again.¡± Morris continued walking away. Iseut blinked through the tears forming in her eyes and started to sniffle. Her heart was breaking. ¡°I love you!¡± she cried, getting Morris to stop in his tracks, ¡°I never wanted to hurt you!¡± Then Morris said, ¡°No. No, that can¡¯t be true. Stop talking.¡± ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Iseut said, ¡°I¡¯ve been in love with you for a long time. Think about it.¡± She took a step forward and reached out with her hands. Morris flinched and stepped back. Iseut paused, her expression falling. ¡°We were best friends for so long,¡± she continued, ¡°I knew I couldn¡¯t say anything, but you must have known.¡± ¡°Shut up, Randel!¡± Iseut was on the verge of tears now, but continued, ¡°You were just always so kind to me. You¡¯ve got a perfect smile andugh, and you care about others¡ª¡± ¡°Randel, stop!¡± Morris cried, turning away, ¡°Go away. I¡­ I can¡¯t deal with this.¡± He left, and Iseut was left alone. She couldn¡¯t see through her tears. Then her knees gave out and Iseut copsed to the ground. 11. Pack Animal 11. Pack Animal Iseut was grinning from ear to ear when she left Hamon¡¯s workshop. He was such a patient teacher, knew how to crack a joke, and she always felt at ease working with him. Hunting was often tense and fast. Working with the needle was more cerebral, like a puzzle. She wasn¡¯t good yet, but she was getting better. A week had passed since she and Aldith confronted Hann, and now that Iseut was officially Hamon¡¯s apprentice, she spent most of her days working alongside him. But every other day she left early to return to Aldith¡¯s hut and continue her magical training as well. ¡°Good, you¡¯re here,¡± Stace said, letting her into the hut. Aldith was gone, probably to attend to some medical matter within the vige proper. ¡°Today we¡¯re learning more about the moon phases and what kind of spells are appropriate for each. Then we¡¯ll practice herb identification and animal correspondence.¡± ¡°Nice to see you too, Stace,¡± Iseut replied, sitting down at the wooden table in a wicker chair. ¡°Always a pleasure to have you here,¡± Stace told her, pulling a heavy book off of a dusty shelf. Stace had been taking a lot of responsibility the past week, helping teach Iseut the basics of witchcraft while Aldith worked on her own projects. Aldith had insisted that it was important for Stace¡¯s own education. Iseut was just grateful to have more time together. ¡°Last time, we went over the names of the full moons,¡± Stace said, dropping the book on the table with a thud, ¡°What do you remember?¡± Iseut struggled to recall the names of the moons. After the first six or seven, Stace opened the book up to the correct page and pointed to the list of moons and their names. Iseut blushed and buried her nose in the book to read them again. Days with Stace always passed slowly. By the time they were halfway through herb identification, Stace stepped away to start the fire and start preparing dinner. They weren¡¯t even close to done and it was almost time to eat. ¡°I¡¯m never going to get this,¡± Iseut whined. ¡°You will,¡± Stace insisted, not looking up from the meat she was tenderizing, ¡°I know that hunters don¡¯t have to use their brains, but that doesn¡¯t mean you don¡¯t have one.¡± ¡°You¡¯re mean,¡± Iseut told her. ¡°You¡¯re just not quick-witted enough to keep up with us yet,¡± Stace retorted, grinning. ¡°I will be one day, and then you¡¯ll be sorry.¡± Stace chuckled, and Iseut smiled softly. She turned the page and continued, ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re helping me with this.¡± Stace started dropping ingredients into the pot, then turned to Iseut and said, ¡°Truth be told, I¡¯ve always kind of felt like a bit of an outcast. I know that people talk about me, the witch¡¯s apprentice, behind my back. It means a lot to me that you¡¯re here.¡± Iseut felt her heart melt a little. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, ¡°I¡­ have heard people gossiping about you. And myself, too. They aren¡¯t as subtle about it as they think they are. It really makes me appreciate having someone who epts me unconditionally.¡± Stace locked eyes with Iseut and smiled. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a break and help me get dinner ready?¡± she asked. ¡°Oh, no,¡± Iseut replied, ¡°I only hunt the meat. I don¡¯t know how to prepare it.¡± Stace snickered and retorted, ¡°Useless hunter.¡± ¡°Is that a challenge?¡± Iseut asked, standing up. There was a gleam in Stace¡¯s eye, and she gestured at the pot. Iseut grinned and walked over. ¡°What do I have to do?¡± she asked. Stace walked her through the process. Iseut found amazing new ways to mess it up and Stace had to constantly step in and ix her mistakes. The two wereughing tremendously at Iseut¡¯s attempt by the time Aldith finally stepped through the door. ¡°Did you finish your training for the day?¡± she asked knowingly. Iseut and Stace exchanged a nce, then burst out intoughter. Dinner was served on time despite Iseut¡¯s attempts to mess it up, and it tasted just fine. Aldith gave them both an earful for not focusing on Iseut¡¯s studies, but let them enjoy themselves nheless. Iseut felt good. The past week she¡¯d felt kind of lost after her fight with Morris. But it was clear that she had a new best friend, and when she went to bed that night it was with a warm stomach and warm heart. In the morning, Iseut got dressed in a colorful blue skirt and loose-fitting wool shirt. After nearly a week of facing the wall to get dressed out of difort, her new bunkmates had convinced her that it would be okay if she just dressed openly with the rest of them. She still kept her head down for the most part, but she didn¡¯t blush as much as she used to. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Wilmot asked. ¡°Absolutely,¡± Iseut replied, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She followed Eda, Wilmot, and Jocosa out of the bunkhouse and down the road. It felt weird to be part of a group of girls again. Iseut hadn¡¯t had any female friends since before she started hunting. It was weird how normal it all felt even after all this time. Iseut felt better. She didn¡¯t feel like a hawk anymore. She was a pretty little bluebird now, and it had brought so much color into her life. ¡°Can you get me an outfit like that?¡± Wilmot asked her. ¡°I can try,¡± Iseut replied. ¡°How is Stace?¡± Eda asked, ¡°You see her most days, right?¡± ¡°She¡¯s doing well. Her studying takes up a lot of time.¡± Jocosa said, ¡°We really need you to get your hair cut, Iseut. It looks like you¡¯ve never had it done properly.¡± Iseut hummed in reply. The tavern didn¡¯t open this early to get a drink, but Meggy liked to get up early some days to wee her friends in. Iseut was apparently a part of that group now. It made her heart swell up a little. By the time they arrived, there were already three guys sitting at a table. As soon as Eda saw her boyfriend Amis, she ran up to him and he stood up to grab her in a hug. Firmin and Noll stayed sitting, holding each other¡¯s hands on the table. ¡°There you girls are,¡± Noll said, ¡°We were waiting.¡± The smell of breakfast wafted in from the kitchen as Meggy opened the door to check on them. She smiled and waved at the girls, and Iseut waved back as she took a seat between Eda and Jocosa. ¡°I missed you,¡± Amis told Eda. The conversation settled into a familiar routine. Iseut asionally got a word in here or there, mostly when someone asked her a question, but for the most part she was content just to nod along. ¡°Do you have a significant other?¡± Firmin asked her. ¡°No,¡± Iseut replied, fidgeting a little, ¡°Since the transformation, I haven¡¯t really talked to a lot of people except for you guys and my teachers.¡± Jocosa asked, ¡°Did you really not have one before you changed?¡± She shook her head, admitting, ¡°There was one person, but I didn¡¯t have the courage to ask them. And it¡­ wouldn¡¯t work now.¡± Nobody pressed her for more information, which she was d about. Talking about what had happened to her had be easier after learning more about her new friends. Jocosa and Wilmot were together, Noll and Firmin were together, and Amis was in a rtionship with both Eda and Stace. She could be the woman who used to look like a guy. In some way it made her feel more at home than if she was just normal byparison. Meggy returned from the kitchen with arge tter of bread and tes of stew. Iseut¡¯s stomach growled in anticipation as Meggy ced the bowls down in front of them. Setting the tter aside, she stopped to kiss Amis on the cheek and ruffle his hair before sitting down beside him. ¡°Love you,¡± she muttered, before turning to Eda and asking, ¡°How are things going with that sheep you were telling us about? The one that was ill?¡± The conversation continued. Iseut ate her breakfast slowly, trying her hardest to cherish the time she had with her new friends. These mornings were always over too soon, but she was looking forward to many more of them toe. ¡°By the way, Iseut,¡± Meggy said, ¡°I love that outfit you¡¯re wearing. Who made it for you?¡± ¡°I made it with help from Hamon, actually,¡± Iseut admitted. ¡°Do you think I could get a special order done? I want to look nice for my guests and I think my regr outfits are wearing thin.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask,¡± Iseut promised. It was good to have friends again. The connections she was making felt different from the rtionships she used to have with the guys she knew. This was¡­ more authentic. Maybe it was just that she was more of herself now. She couldn¡¯t be sure. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte,¡± Firmin finally said, pulling himself away from Amis, ¡°I need to get back to the tannery.¡± ¡°I think we all need to go,¡± Wilmot admitted, standing up. ¡°Until next time,¡± Iseut said, following their lead. Hamon was already working by the time Iseut arrived, as she expected of him by now. He greeted her warmly and invited her inside. Iseut was ready and eager to get started. Hamon already had a dress on a mannequin that he was working on. ¡°Why don¡¯t you finish this?¡± he asked, ¡°All that¡¯s left is the sleeves. You can do that.¡± ¡°Yeah, I think so,¡± Iseut said, her stomach in knots. It was like a puzzle. If she stayed calm and moved methodically, Iseut would be done in no time without any mistakes. She could feel Hamon¡¯s gaze on her asionally as she worked, but for the most part it looked like he was going to trust her to do it right. ¡°The tavern owner,¡± she said suddenly, ¡°asked me if we could make her some new outfits to rece the ones she has now. Do you think we¡¯ll have time to do that?¡± ¡°If we work together,¡± Hamon replied, ¡°Are you already taking orders?¡± Iseut chuckled. ¡°I guess I¡¯m good at this,¡± she suggested. Hamon leaned over to inspect her work. ¡°I am impressed,¡± he said, ¡°You¡¯vee a long way in a short amount of time.¡± Iseut smiled softly. A warm feeling welled up inside of her. If she could make Hamon proud of her, it would mean a lot. asionally Hamon would give Iseut notes but for the most part he allowed her to take the lead. She worked diligently, moving her hands as fast as she could without making a mistake, and cursing the few that she managed to make anyway. Then came a knock at the door and Iseut stepped away to let in the visitor. She expected someoneing to pick up an order. Instead it was Hamon¡¯s older son Wybert, whom Iseut had met when she stayed for dinner the week prior. As soon as she saw him smile, Iseut felt her face turn a little red. ¡°Hello, Wybert,¡± she mumbled, stepping aside to let him in, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you too, Iseut,¡± he said, nodding politely. He turned to his father to continue talking, but Iseut wasn¡¯t paying attention. Iseut could barely focus on him without getting all flustered. She felt stupid for getting this worked up over a guy she didn¡¯t even know. ¡°How are you doing, Iseut?¡± Wybert asked, snapping her back to attention. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said, walking over to the mannequin she was working on, ¡°I¡¯m still learning, but your father has been a lot of help.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not working you too hard, is he?¡± Wybert asked, shing her his charming smile. ¡°Not at all,¡± she managed to stammer out, looking away and biting her lip. She definitely had a crush on Wybert. And the bastard didn¡¯t even seem to notice the effect he had on her. And what would Hamon think if she were to ask him out? It would feel like a betrayal of his trust. Wybert said, ¡°I have to go. But it was nice talking to you. We should hang out more often.¡± ¡°What day are you free?¡± Iseut asked, heart thumping in her chest. She could feel Hamon¡¯s eyes on them. ¡°Oh? Well, I¡¯ve got the evening off in a couple of days. Do you want to get a drink?¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to,¡± Iseut cooed. ¡°I¡¯ll see you then,¡± Wybert said, smiling softly and turning a light shade of red, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡± He bid her and his father goodbye. Once she was gone, Iseut returned to her work, but kept her eyes down so she wouldn¡¯t have to look at Hamon. He was going to be upset with her. She knew it. ¡°You know, he¡¯s been talking about you at home,¡± Hamon told her, ¡°Keeps asking how you¡¯re doing. I think he was hoping you¡¯d be here.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tease me,¡± Iseut pleaded. ¡°I¡¯m telling you the truth,¡± Hamon insisted. Iseut felt her face burn even harder and she bit her lip. Hamon didn¡¯t say any more after that, clearly aware of how flustered she was. She appreciated that he hadn¡¯t bitten her head off. Still, Iseut had to sigh. She¡¯d spent so many years pining after Morris, and then he turned on her so easily. It was time to admit that he was never going to reciprocate her feelings. This was a great chance to move on and meet someone new, as much as it hurt her to do so. ¡°Maybe Wybert and I will have the same spark,¡± she thought to herself, ¡°I just hope that he recognizes it if we do.¡± That evening, Iseut had to leave Hamon early. She would have loved to stay until thest possible minute, but there was a prior arrangement that needed her attention. She had to get back to her bunkhouse and change into her nicest outfit, the original blue dress that Hamon had made for her. By the time Iseut found herself standing outside the Grand Hall, her hands were sweaty and her stomach was in knots. With a gulp, she opened the door and stepped inside. Her father was waiting in his private dining room, already sitting. ¡°Please sit down,¡± Hann said quietly, gesturing to a seat beside him. Iseut nodded and walked over. She took the seat, but refused to look Hann directly in the eye. Being this close to her father made Iseut tense. It was going to take some time for her to rx. ¡°I¡¯m d you decided toe,¡± Hann told her, but Iseut hadn¡¯t felt like she could actually turn down the offer. ¡°Of course,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Speak up,¡± he told her. ¡°Is it just the two of us?¡± she asked, more loudly. Hann nodded, exining, ¡°I wanted us to have the opportunity to talk. Except for the chef, it¡¯s just the two of us.¡± ¡°Is the food almost ready?¡± Iseut asked. She was squirming in her seat. Iseut would rather eat than talk. Maybe if she could keep her mouth full and nod in response to everything her father said, she¡¯d be able to get out of there without bursting into tears. ¡°Yes¡­ it shouldn¡¯t be much longer.¡± Hann looked ufortable too. Iseut chanced a nce upward, and he wasn¡¯t looking directly at her. He took a deep breath and sighed. ¡°How are you getting along?¡± ¡°Pretty well,¡± she admitted, ¡°Everyone has been a big help, and I have new friends. I¡¯m working again.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. You need to contribute to the town.¡± Iseut added, ¡°I¡¯m happier now, too.¡± Hann grunted in reply. Iseut scowled. At that moment, though, the chef entered with arge wooden tray with two tes and a pitcher of wine. Iseut thanked the spirits under her breath for intervening. Maybe she could get through this night without too much difficulty. Hann¡¯s chef was the best in the town. Rohesia had been pretty good, but thismb was some of the best Iseut had ever had. Growing up, she had always had ess to mouthwatering food at a moment¡¯s notice. It was the only thing from her childhood that she regretted losing. ¡°It¡¯s a shame that you can¡¯t go back to the person you used to be,¡± Hann said. Iseut frowned through her mouth full ofmb, and she focused on her te. ¡°But it is what it is,¡± Hann continued, ¡°As long as you¡¯re able to live as normal, we¡¯ll just make do with the situation.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Iseut replied tersely. The wine helped to calm her down and ease Iseut¡¯s shaking hands. She could breathe easier now. The things her father said didn¡¯t seem to bother her as much after two or three cups. ¡°My new friends are great,¡± she said, ¡°They¡¯re all very loving people. I¡¯m lucky to have them.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that,¡± Hann said, ¡°I¡­ was worried you wouldn¡¯t have anyone to support you.¡± Iseut could have sneered, but kept her expression steady. She continued, ¡°Hamon has been very helpful teaching me how to be a tailor. I would have never thought I¡¯d be good at anything except hunting, but he¡¯s been incredibly patient with me and it¡¯s been a lot of help. I really believe that I have a future with that profession.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good to have aspirations,¡± Hann said, ¡°I thought that I wouldn¡¯t have a meaningful future when I was working the fishery. But when my aunt took me under her wing and taught me how to run the vige, I knew that I had found something for me.¡± ¡°You never told me about that,¡± Iseut said. ¡°You never seemed particrly interested in my life,¡± her father replied. After a moment, Iseut mumbled, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, girl,¡± Hann insisted, ¡°You have your own life to lead.¡± Iseut nodded slowly. She focused on her meal for a bit, and the only sound between them was the scraping of forks on metal tes. When he was done, Hann stood up. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You should return home now.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Iseut said, ¡°But¡­ if you want to do this again¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll send for you,¡± Hann said, nodding before leaving the room. Iseut finished her te alone, then stood up and headed outside. It was getting dark. The evening hadn¡¯t gone nearly as bad as she feared. Maybe one day she could even look her father in the eye without a twinge of anxiety. 12. The Snake 12. The Snake ¡°Thanks, Meg,¡± Iseut said, taking the tankard from the bartender. The tavern was mostly full and bustling with activity, but Iseut was alone this evening. That was fine. She needed at least a little bit of time to herself once in a while. Iseut took a moment to breathe. Her meeting with Wybert was in just a few days. She couldn¡¯t keep her mind off of it. Her insides were turning in anticipation. What was she going to say? They¡¯d never had a long and proper conversation before. ¡°Randel, there you are.¡± Her heart sank. ¡°What do you want, Morris?¡± she asked, not turning around to look at him. ¡°We need to talk.¡± ¡°I told you already, if you won¡¯t use my name I won¡¯t talk to you.¡± Morris growled, ¡°I¡¯m not giving up on you, Randel.¡± Iseut sighed and nced down at her half-finished drink, then up at the bartender. Meggy gave her a firm nod, then walked out from behind the bar. Iseut stood up and started to walk past Morris without looking at him. ¡°Randel¡ª¡± Morris reached out with a hand, but Meggy grabbed him by the arm and asked, ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, big guy?¡± Morris resisted, but Iseut got out of there quickly. Once outside, she stopped and took a deep breath, folding her arms and trying not to cry. Now he wouldn¡¯t leave her alone? ¡°Randel!¡± Iseut swore and turned around. ¡°What do you want?!¡± she cried, ¡°You made it clear you won¡¯t ept me!¡± ¡°I just want to talk.¡± ¡°Well talk, then!¡± she told him, scowling. Morris seemed to dete. He told her, ¡°I know that you can¡¯t go back to being a guy. Maybe¡­ maybe you really were a woman all along and I just didn¡¯t realize. But that doesn¡¯t mean you have to throw your old life away.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡± ¡°Please let me finish.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk over me!¡± Iseut cried, curling her hands into fists. ¡°You can still be a hunter,¡± Morris said, ¡°We can talk to Rohesia. You don¡¯t have to sew clothes and spend time with witches and be a different person if you don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°I do want to,¡± Iseut replied, ¡°This is what I want. Why don¡¯t you understand that?¡± ¡°Because it¡¯s not you!¡± Morris cried, ¡°None of this is you!¡± ¡°It is now!¡± Her fists were clenched so tightly that she could feel her nails biting into her skin. ¡°Don¡¯t throw your old life away, Randel!¡± Iseut stepped forward and swung. Morris dodged easily, and Iseut stumbled, just barely catching herself before falling to the ground. She started wiping the tears from her eyes. After a moment, Iseut could feel Morris ce a hand on her shoulder. She bat him away and stood up, turning away. ¡°Randel¡ª¡± ¡°This is my life, Morris,¡± she spat, ¡°I get to make my own choices. Not you.¡± Morris pleaded, ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to get you to see! You can still choose to be yourself, even after all this. You don¡¯t have to be a woman, and we can still be friends without having a rtionship.¡± Iseut sighed and took a few steps away, rubbing her arms for warmth. ¡°Morris,¡± she said slowly, ¡°I want you to leave me alone. Don¡¯t talk to me any more. Don¡¯t seek me out. If you do, I¡¯m going to my father and he¡¯ll find a way to stop you from harassing me.¡± When she nced over, Morris was standing with his arms hanging limply. Iseut had never seen him look so defeated. He swallowed and nodded. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, ¡°I guess I¡¯ve lost you for good, then.¡± ¡°I gave you the chance to ept me for who I am,¡± she replied, turning away. Morris didn¡¯t respond. She heard his footsteps as he started walking away, and stood still until they faded below the sound of revelrying from inside the tavern. Then Iseut sighed and headed for the door. She needed the rest of her drink. Iseut¡¯s mood was ruined for the rest of the evening. She wasn¡¯t feeling any better the next morning, either. Being out at the hunting cabin with Ro made her incredibly nervous, as if Morris were going to walk out and confront her at any moment. ¡°You¡¯re getting better,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°Take a few steps back,e at it from an angle.¡± Iseut obeyed, walking back and to the side so she was no longer directly facing the target. She nocked an arrow, took a deep breath, and let the arrow fly. Her precision was off, but she did hit the target. ¡°Very good. Keep going.¡± Rohesia pushed Iseut for a little while longer, until her arms were sore. Iseut wanted toin¡ªshe had to work with Hamonter¡ªbut knew better than to moan to Rohesia. When she was done, Iseut sat her bow down and started massaging her arms. Iseut took a seat on the steps of the hunting cabin, and Rohesia sat down next to her. ¡°Something is bothering you,¡± Rohesia said. ¡°I had a big fight with Morris,¡± Iseut admitted, ¡°I told him to stay away, but I can¡¯t get him out of my mind.¡± ¡°If I need to confront him, I will.¡± Iseut shook her head. ¡°That will probably just make him bolder. He already thinks everyone else is controlling me. I just need to be firm with him.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re sure.¡± ¡°I am,¡± Iseut insisted. Rohesia nodded, thenced her fingers together and started shaking her leg. She looked down, avoiding Iseut¡¯s gaze. She told Iseut, ¡°You have to admit, though, you¡¯ve changed a lot in such a short amount of time.¡± ¡°I guess. But it¡¯s still my decision.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°I¡¯m happier this way,¡± Iseut reminded Rohesia, ¡°I tried to pretend I could stay the same person. But you saw how miserable I was.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Rohesia said again, ¡°But Iseut, I¡¯ve known you for most of your life, and I struggled with epting this. It¡¯s going to be difficult for people to adjust to you being a new person.¡± Iseut stood up and clenched her hands into fists. ¡°So what?¡± she asked, ¡°Am I just supposed to put up with everyone telling me I¡¯m wrong for the rest of my life?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Rohesia insisted, standing up and cing her hands on Iseut¡¯s shoulders, ¡°But people are going to be slow to ept. It¡¯s¡­ no, never mind.¡± ¡°What?¡± Iseut demanded, clenching her bow tighter. Rohesia sighed. ¡°You underwent a massive change,¡± she said, ¡°For some people¡­ it feels like the person they knew is de¡ª um¡­ gone forever, and you¡¯re just taking his ce.¡± Iseut¡¯s jaw tightened and she pulled away from Rohesia. ¡°That¡¯s not fair!¡± she cried, ¡°I¡¯m the same person! Everyone else is allowed to change except me?!¡± ¡°I know it¡¯s not fair,¡± Rohesia replied, ¡°But that¡¯s how people feel.¡± ¡°No!¡± Iseut started walking away. After a moment, she heard Rohesia¡¯s footsteps. ¡°Don¡¯t you have to wait for the other hunters to get here?¡± Iseut snapped. ¡°No hunting today,¡± Rohesia replied, ¡°I just came out here for you.¡± ¡°Well¡­ thanks.¡± Iseut stopped walking and bowed her head. ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± she mumbled, tears welling up in her eyes, ¡°I just want to be myself.¡± ¡°I know, honey,¡± Rohesia replied, walking up and grabbing Iseut in a weak hug. ¡°I¡¯m crying,¡± Iseut mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Rohesia said, rubbing her on the back, ¡°Go ahead and cry.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s no crying on the archery range.¡± ¡°That was a stupid rule. It doesn¡¯t apply here.¡± Iseut sniffled. ¡°I should be allowed to live my life how I want,¡± she managed to choke out, ¡°Why won¡¯t people ept me?¡± ¡°They will. With time. I promise.¡± Iseut felt her knees buckle, and she copsed into Rohesia¡¯s arms. ¡°Will I be okay?¡± she asked. ¡°You will,¡± Rohesia cooed, ¡°You have me.¡± Iseut nodded. She had Ro. She had her father, and Aldith too. Plus Stace and all her friends. She returned the hug, perhaps a little tighter than she needed to. ¡°I¡¯m a mess,¡± she mumbled. ¡°You¡¯re just struggling with something difficult. But you will be okay, Iseut.¡± ¡°I know. Thank you.¡± Once Iseut hadposed herself again, Rohesia let go of her. Iseut wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt a little silly now. ¡°I¡¯d better get going,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, then,¡± Rohesia replied. Iseut felt moreposed by the time she arrived at Aldith¡¯s hut. Hopefully the witch wouldn¡¯t be able to tell that anything was wrong. She took a long, final breath before knocking on the door, and Aldith invited her inside. ¡°We¡¯re going into the woods today,¡± Aldith told Iseut, grabbing a small bag of supplies, ¡°You need some practice connecting with nature.¡± Iseut nodded and followed her into the forest. It was alive with the sound of bird calls and bustling underbrush. Already, Iseut was soaking up the vibrant energy of the woods in a way that she never used to. It was such a different experience than walking through the woods as a hunter. ¡°We¡¯ll stop here,¡± Aldith said, breaking into a small clearing, ¡°Take a seat in the middle.¡± Iseut obeyed, sitting down and crossing her legs. She let the warm sunlight cascade over her. Briefly, Iseut tied her hair back with her ribbon so it would stay out of her eyes. Following Aldith¡¯s instructions, Iseut opened up her mind and slid into a meditative state. Her daily meditation practice had made it so easy for her to do. ¡°Today I¡¯m going to teach you how to interact with animals,¡± she heard Aldith say, ¡°Focus on reaching out as far as you can and brushing up against the living things in the forest.¡± She could feel it, like a tingle at the edge of her consciousness. Small animals, scurrying about, barely aware of her. Faraway, Aldith¡¯s voice continued. ¡°You need to reach out and call one to you,¡± she said, ¡°Summon it forth to your hand.¡± Iseut started probing at some of the entities in her mind. Some of them pulled away form her. One didn¡¯t. She pulled at it gently, and the image of a small bird came into focus in her mind¡¯s eye. Without opening her eyes, Iseut held out her hand and felt the birdnd in her palm. ¡°Very good,¡± Aldith said tly, ¡°Now tell it to retrieve something for you.¡± Iseut took a deep breath and nodded. The bird was starting to fidget in her hand. She couldn¡¯t lose control of this. Holding on to the bird with her conscious mind, she tried to bring up an image of an acorn. Gently, she pushed the image of the acorn onto the bird. It paused, then flew off from her hand. ¡°Did it work?¡± she asked, opening her eyes. ¡°Give it a moment to search,¡± Aldith said, ¡°Focus on your meditation.¡± Iseut nodded and closed her eyes again. She focused on her breathing and kept her mind open, waiting for the bird to return. Her legs and back were tense from her sitting still. Then she felt it return. The same bird tugged at the edge of her consciousness and she called it forward silently, raising her hand. Itnded softly and dropped something into her palm. Iseut opened her eyes. It was an acorn. ¡°Yes!¡± Iseut cried, sending the bird flying away in fear. But Aldith was shaking her head. ¡°You broke your concentration,¡± she said. ¡°Right, sorry, but I did it!¡± Iseut cried, standing up and holding out the acorn for Aldith so see. ¡°Yes, you did. Now close your eyes and do it again.¡± ¡°Again?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like a muscle, girl. You need to train it before you get good.¡± Iseut nodded, then sat back down. She continued the practice, having birds and chipmunks and squirrels bringing her small leaves and rocks and stones. In her meditative state, there was no telling how much time had passed, and eventually Aldith had to draw her back to reality. ¡°You¡¯re making good progress,¡± Aldith told Iseut as they started the walk back, ¡°considering that you¡¯re practicing less than would be ideal.¡± ¡°I must have a talent for this,¡± Iseut suggested. ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Aldith replied. ¡°Aldith?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not upset with me, are you?¡± Aldith stopped, confusion stered on her face. ¡°Why would you think that?¡± she asked. Iseut gulped, then responded, ¡°It¡¯s just that, more recently, you¡¯ve been a little¡­ terse? Not as kindly as before.¡± ¡°You¡¯re my student, that¡¯s all,¡± Aldith said, ¡°I have to be stern. This is a serious subject to study and you need a firm hand to guide you.¡± ¡°Ah. I understand.¡± They continued walking, and Iseut added, ¡°I was just worried that you were upset with me because I asked you to lie to my father. I know you swore an oath to the vige.¡± ¡°I did,¡± Aldith admitted, ¡°But I promised you that your well-being woulde first.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Iseut said. ¡°Of course.¡± Aldith got a faraway look in her eyes. ¡°If I¡¯m being entirely honest, I¡¯ve always seen myself as a bit of a godmother to Stace since she came to study under me. And I see no reason why I shouldn¡¯t feel the same way toward you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡± Iseut paused. She spun around and caught sight of something on the ground. The tail of a snake quickly vanished into the underbrush. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Aldith asked. ¡°Yeah¡­ must have been nothing.¡± Aldith raised an eyebrow, though. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of these woods,¡± she said, picking up her pace. Aldith invited Iseut to stay for dinner that night. Iseut felt obliged to stay, and helped Stace prepare the meal. The hut feltfortably warm that evening. Iseut returned to her bunkhouse that night, but in the morning was awoken by a loud banging at the door. ¡°What is that?¡± Jocosa asked, struggling to keep her eyes open. Eda got out of bed and opened the door to reveal a man none of them recognized. ¡°The vige chief is requesting the presence of Iseut at the Grand Hall. Immediately.¡± Everyone gave Iseut a curious look while her heart sank. If her father was demanding her presence, it couldn¡¯t be for anything good. But she couldn¡¯t very well ignore him, either. Quickly, she dressed in somethingfortable for the day and shoved her feet into her boots. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in time for breakfast, hopefully,¡± she told the others still in bed. The sun wasn¡¯t fully up yet, and it made the walk through the empty town somewhat eerie. Iseut couldn¡¯t help but shiver and had to rub her arms for warmth. It was almost a relief to finally arrive at the Great Hall. To Iseut¡¯s surprise, though, there were quite a few people in the Grand Hall. Hann was there, sitting in his big chair and scowling at Aldith, who was standing firm. Standing by Hann¡¯s side was Morris, trying not to look too smug. Several other vige elders and leaders were gathered around, all of them looking a little confused at what was going on. ¡°This is bad,¡± Iseut thought to herself,ing to stand next to Aldith. She cast a questioning nce to the older woman, who responded with a re that said to stay quiet. ¡°Good,¡± Hann said, ¡°You¡¯re both here. Now you can exin something to me.¡± He leaned back in his chair and gestured for Morris to speak. Morris nodded and began, ¡°Yesterday, I was out hunting on my own. While I was, I came across two people wandering in the woods. Curious, I got closer and discovered these two¡±¡ªhe pointed at Aldith and Iseut¡ª¡°talking about how they had deceived the vige chief together.¡± ¡°You little¡ª!¡± Iseut cried, before Aldith brought up a hand to stop her. ¡°Girl,¡± Hann said darkly, leaning forward in his chair, ¡°Did you lie to me?¡± ¡°No!¡± she cried, ¡°There¡¯s no way to lure the unicorn back!¡± ¡°So that¡¯s what you¡¯re lying about?¡± Iseut¡¯s voice died in her throat. Beside her, Aldith sighed. Hann stood up. ¡°Aldith, I invoke your oath to me and to this vige. Speak the truth. Is there a way to lure the unicorn back to the vige so we can kill it?¡± Aldith took a deep breath and spoke clearly, ¡°There is a spell.¡± ¡°Can you cast it?¡± ¡°Yes, I can.¡± Iseut stared at Aldith. Her expression was pained, and she refused to look at Iseut. Iseut¡¯s own heart was breaking. Aldith had sworn to help her. Her vision went blurry. This was it. Her life was over. Everything she¡¯d fought for was going to be taken away from her. Iseut had to do something. Stepping forward, she dered, ¡°Father, I asked her to¡ª¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Hann bellowed. Pointing a finger at the two of them, he cried, ¡°You two have been lying to me. My own child disrespected me in my home. Neither of you have anything more to say.¡± He started walking around the table. Iseut felt her knees go weak and took a step back, but her father was swift and grabbed onto her arm tight enough for her to cry out. She sent a pleading look at the other assembled vigers, but while they were shuffling ufortably nobody said anything. ¡°Let go of me!¡± she cried. Iseut nced at Aldith, who had her head down and eyes closed. ¡°You¡¯reing with me,¡± Hann dered, dragging her across the room. Iseut struggled, but his grip was strong. She twisted her arm and pulled, digging her feet into the ground, but her father dragged her with ease. He brought her to a door and unlocked thetch, swinging the door open, and then with a heave threw Iseut through the door. Shended hard on her arms and knees and rolled over. The door mmed closed before she could look up, and she heard thetch lock in ce. Iseut sprang to her feet and started banging on the door. ¡°Let me out! Let me out, you monster!¡± She banged on the wood until her hands hurt and she was openly sobbing. Then Iseut copsed against the door and slid down. She pulled her legs to her chest and cried. After a while, she was reduced to sniffling. She was stuck in a pitch ck room with only the faintest sliver of candlelighting from under the door. Reaching out, Iseut managed to find arge wood box and leaned up against it. Finally, she heard thetch open and sprang to her feet. The door started to swing open she rushed for the doorway, intent on shoving her way out. But Iseut ran right into her father, who knocked her back with a shove and sent her toppling to the floor again. ¡°Ow!¡± ¡°This is for your own safety, Randel,¡± Hann said, while she rubbed the spot she¡¯dnded on, ¡°You¡¯re not thinking straight. You¡¯re safer in here while we take care of this.¡± ¡°Take care of what?¡± she demanded. ¡°I¡¯m going out with a group of hunters to lure the unicorn back and kill it, so that you can go back to being the man you were supposed to be.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to be a man,¡± Iseut cried, tears streaming down her face, ¡°I¡¯m happier like this!¡± ¡°You only think you are,¡± her father replied sternly, ¡°But you¡¯re not like that other child. You¡¯re my son and I know what¡¯s best for you and for this vige. One we¡¯re rid of the unicorn¡¯s magic, everything will be back to normal.¡± He pulled the door shut before she could respond, leaving Iseutying sprawled out on the floor with her mouth agape. She clenched her jaw tight, trying to hold back tears. Then Iseut started to sob again. 13. The Bluebird and the Unicorn 13. The Bluebird and the Unicorn Iseuty crumpled on the floor, curled up as small as possible and weeping openly. She gave long, heaving sobs in between her sniffles. Her eyes stung. How long had Iseut been there? She wasn¡¯t sure, but her tears weren¡¯t stopping. ¡°I¡¯ll never be happy again,¡± she thought, ¡°It¡¯s not fair! How could they do this to me?!¡± She was going to lose her body. It had taken Iseut weeks to learn to love and embrace herself like this. And it was going to be taken away from her. By the end of the day, she¡¯d be a man again and there was no way to stop it from happening. Then Iseut heard the sound of thetch moving and her breath caught in her throat. She scrambled away from the door, knocking against some wooden crates in the dark. Iseut curled up and shrank down. The door opened to reveal Stace, sweating and out of breath. ¡°Iseut!¡± she cried, running forward and kneeling down, ¡°I¡¯m here! Are you okay?¡± Iseut shook her head. ¡°They¡¯re going to do it. They¡¯re going to kill the unicorn, Stace. My life is over.¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± another voice said. Iseut looked up to see Rohesia standing in the doorway. One of herrge bows was strung across her back with a quiver of arrows and Iseut¡¯s own bow was in her hands. She also held a quiver for Iseut to use. Stace said, ¡°They stopped by the hut and Aldith warned me what was going on. She also told me to give you this.¡± She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small talisman hanging from a leather cord. ¡°For speed and good luck,¡± Stace said, ¡°She wants us to follow them. We can do this, Iseut. We can still stop them.¡± Iseut sniffed again, then took the talisman from Stace and tried to smile. Rohesia stepped forward and offered a hand for Iseut to take. She heaved Iseut to her feet and held out her bow. ¡°Thank you,¡± Iseut said, taking her bow and holding it limply, ¡°Why do I need this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m worried that the hunters won¡¯t give up just because we ask nicely,¡± Rohesia admitted, ¡°We might need to get a little aggressive. Are you okay with that?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡­ it¡¯s toote¡­¡± ¡°Iseut,¡± Stace said, grabbing her by the shoulders, ¡°We¡¯ve got to chase them down and stop them. I¡¯ve seen you grow so happy over these past few weeks. You nee to show them that you¡¯re not going to let anyone make this decision for you.¡± ¡°And we¡¯re going with you,¡± Rohesia added, ¡°You¡¯re not doing this alone.¡± Iseut sniffed one more time and nodded. ¡°Thank you both,¡± she said again, tightening her grip on her bow. She took the spare quiver from Rohesia and slung it across her back. ¡°I¡¯m going to stop them. Did Aldith say where they were going?¡± ¡°No, unfortunately,¡± Stace admitted, frowning, ¡°I haven no idea where to start.¡± ¡°But they were moving in a group,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°They shouldn¡¯t be too hard for the two of us to track down.¡± ¡°Then what are we waiting for?¡± Iseut asked, wiping her tears off on her sleeve, ¡°Let¡¯s go already.¡± Iseut had lost quite a bit of muscle after her transformation. She couldn¡¯t run like she used to. But she knew that she had to pace herself. They weren¡¯t even out of town yet and she was breathing a little hard. But Stace was trailing a little behind her, and Rohesia kept pace with them instead of leaving the two behind. Aldith¡¯s talisman bounced up and down as Iseut ran, constantly reminding her of Aldith¡¯s presence. People stopped in the streets to stare at the three running through, but they made it to the gate without being stopped. Rohesia paused briefly at the edge of the woods and nced down. Once she found tracks, she gestured for the other two to follow at a quick pace. ¡°Where would Aldith lead them?¡± she asked Stace. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Stace replied, ¡°She said they¡¯d find a clearing near the town, but that could be in any direction.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll find them,¡± Rohesia said, then nced back at Iseut, ¡°I promise.¡± Iseut held her bow tight enough for her knuckles to turn white, but her hands were still shaking. She couldn¡¯t trust herself to speak without throwing up. What was she going to do if they even got there in time? There was no way Iseut would be able to stand up to her father. Not after what he did to her. The group stopped for a few moments while Rohesia scanned the ground and nearby shrubbery. She was muttering to herself hastily and scanning around. Since they were paused, Stace stepped forward and ced a warm hand on Iseut¡¯s shoulder, squeezing gently. Rohesia swore. ¡°What is it?¡± Iseut asked, her heart sinking. ¡°I can¡¯t find the trail,¡± she admitted, ¡°It¡¯s too faint. I¡¯m not sure where they went.¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s over,¡± Iseut muttered, hanging her head and beginning to cry. ¡°No, it¡¯s not.¡± Rohesia took Iseut by the shoulders and locked eyes with her. ¡°Iseut, you were the best student I ever had. I need your help.¡± ¡°Ro¡ª¡± ¡°Listen to me. You¡¯re not the same person you used to be. But your past? It¡¯s still a part of you. You haven¡¯t lost the ability to track, and right now I need you to tap into that skill and help us save your new life. Can you do it?¡± Iseut took a deep breath and blinked away her tears. ¡°I can,¡± she decided, nodding. Rohesia grinned and let go of her. Iseut shook her head and started scanning the ground. Crumpled grass, faint footsteps, trampled underbrush¡­. Anything at all would be a useful clue. But there wasn¡¯t anything. Not even the slightest trace. ¡°How many of them were there?¡± she asked suddenly. ¡°Hm?¡± Stace asked. ¡°How many people were going with Aldith and my father?¡± she rified. ¡°Like¡­ six or seven?¡± ¡°Then they can¡¯t have disappeared without a trace.¡± Iseut started backtracking a few meters, paying close attention to where the faint footsteps led. Her stomach was turning. With a quivering hand, she grabbed the talisman hanging from her neck and gave it a little squeeze. She took a deep breath, then let it go as she slid into her hunter mindset. Her vision and hearing heightened and became clearer. Her mind was sharper as a result. Iseut started picking up on trace details that she had missed before. ¡°Here we go,¡± she said, pointing at an upset part in the underbrush, ¡°They veered off this way. Let¡¯s go.¡± Iseut took the lead, keeping her head held high. Her movement was smooth and swift. There was a twitch in her hand where instinct told her to draw an arrow from her quiver. ¡°Stay silent and keep your ears open,¡± she told the others, ¡°Don¡¯t move too fast.¡± Rohesia didn¡¯t seem to need the warning, but Iseut could hear Stace slow down a little. It was hard to focus over the sound of Stace thrashing around, even if it wasn¡¯t her fault. Every sound felt magnified. ¡°I think I hear something,¡± Rohesia whispered. ¡°I hear it too,¡± Iseut replied. ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Sh!¡± Iseut interrupted Stace, ¡°It sounds like quite a few people. Can you hear a horse?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± Rohesia replied quietly. Iseut¡¯s stomach was turning. Were they toote? She felt fine, but how long would it take for the magic to start to wear off? Then she heard it: a strained whiny. Iseut¡¯s heart skipped a beat and she picked up her pace. She wasn¡¯t paying attention to the trail anymore. She knew where she was going. Iseut could hear thrashing behind her as Stace picked up her pace to match Iseut¡¯s. Her father would hear theming, but it didn¡¯t matter now. They were close. The sounds were getting louder. Then they broke out into a clearing. One one side was Hann and a random assortment of hunters with their bows drawn. Iseut recognized Morris immediately standing next to Hann. In the middle of the clearing was Aldith, sitting on her knees and staring at the unicorn at the other end. The poor creature was thrashing as if against invisible bindings. Once it saw Iseut enter the clearing, it immediately seemed to calm. ¡°Boy!¡± Hann cried, finally noticing Iseut. Thinking fast, Iseut took off at a run, stopping right in front of the unicorn and nting her fee. She stared down the line of archers poised to attack. The look on her father¡¯s face was one of uncertainty and fear. ¡°Hold your fire!¡± he told the archers, before taking a step forward and shouting, ¡°Boy! Randel! Step aside.¡± Instead, Iseut took a deep breath and grabbed an arrow from her quiver. She drew the bow and pointed it at the line, careful to keep her aim at the empty space between the hunters. Then she shook her head. Blood was pounding in her ears. Every hunter was still aiming at her, sunlight glinting off the metal arrowheads. If even one of them slipped¡­ ¡°Iseut¡­¡± she heard Stace cry softly. Iseut nced over. Rohesia looked like she was gently holding Stace back from running out to the middle of the clearing. Then she nced at Aldith, who hadn¡¯t gotten up but was watching Iseut carefully. Very softly, Aldith nodded at Iseut. ¡°I¡¯ll fire!¡± Iseut lied, ¡°Tell them to put their weapons on the ground or I¡¯ll end their hunting careers!¡± She knew most of these hunters, if only barely. And now she was threatening them. The hair on the back of Iseut¡¯s neck stood up. What was she doing?! Hann didn¡¯t say anything, but one of the hunters removed their arrow and knelt down to drop their bow. Several others watched, then one by one lowered their weapons and dropped them on the ground. All except for one. ¡°Morris, don¡¯t do this,¡± Iseut pleaded, ¡°You were my best friend. Just lower your weapon.¡± ¡°Never!¡± Morris replied, ¡°You¡¯re my best friend, Randel, and I¡¯m not going to lose you no matter what. Step out of the way.¡± ¡°I will shoot!¡± Morris didn¡¯t respond. Iseut¡¯s heart was beating in her ears. She couldn¡¯t release an arrow on her best friend. But if they knew she wouldn¡¯t follow through with her threat, the hunters would just move her by force and kill the unicorn anyway. She heart a snort behind her from the unicorn. Aldith was watching Iseut intently. Judd leaned in and whispered something to Morris, who muttered something back. Hann raised his hand, seemingly to stop Morris, but hesitated. He too wanted to see if Iseut would follow through with her threat. Iseut took a deep breath. Then she aimed her bow right at Morris¡¯s ear. She wasn¡¯t a good enough shot to pull this off without identally hitting him. Hann took a step forward. Iseut released the arrow. It flew right at Morris, then missed him by a hair. It was over in the time it took everyone¡¯s breath to catch in their throat. For a moment, everything was still. Then Morris¡¯s expression fell and he lowered his bow with shaking hands. He finally seemed to understand that his friendship with Iseut was over. The tension had been broken. Iseut took a deep, shaky breath. Laying her bow down, she turned around to face the unicorn. Immediately, she heard shuffling behind her. ¡°Stop moving!¡± Rohesia barked. Iseut turned back around. Rohesia had drawn her bow and was walking toward the middle of the clearing where Aldith was still sitting. The hunters, who had begun to move in to grab Iseut, stopped in their tracks at the sight of her gargantuan bow. Stace was walking up behind her. Rohesia and Stace came to a stop in the middle of the clearing, then Rohesia craned her neck back to look at Iseut. ¡°Go on,¡± she told Iseut, ¡°We¡¯ll keep you safe.¡± Iseut nodded and faced the unicorn again. It was staring right at her without any visible emotion. She reached out and ced her hands on the side of its head, and it didn¡¯t resist. Iseut closed her eyes and tried to push herself into a trance state. The clearing was busy. She could feel a lot of creatures at the edge of her consciousness. But she focused on the one in front of her. It was stuck in ce by magical bindings like ropes all across its body. She prodded at the bindings with her mind and they slid off, as if Aldith had been waiting for her to give the signal before releasing it. The unicorn shuffled now that it was free but did not pull away from Iseut. Rather, it pushed back with its own consciousness, and Iseut felt a sense of gratitude. For a moment, it was just the two of them in the entire world. ¡°You have to go,¡± Iseut muttered, trying to push the idea into the creature¡¯s mind. ¡°Leave and nevere back. For your own safety.¡± She felt the unicorn push back, and she got the impression that it understood. Iseut opened her eyes and locked gazes with the magnificent creature. Then it whinnied and pulled away from Iseut. It took one longst nce at Iseut, then bound away into the woods without hesitation. ¡°Goodbye,¡± Iseut said, as a profound sense of loss fell over her. Then she turned to face everyone else. Aldith had stood up and was leaning on Stace for support. Rohesia had lowered her bow and was grinning widely at Iseut. Hann stood with his arms folded. Iseut picked up her bow, then walked up to her friends and faced her father. These were her woods. He was on her turf now. She would look him in the eye and stand her ground this time. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± she said, ¡°The creature isn¡¯ting back. You¡¯re stuck with me now.¡± ¡°Boy¡ª¡± ¡°Do not call me boy!¡± she shouted, curling her hands into fists, ¡°My name is Iseut! Either I can be Iseut here, in the vige that has been my home for my entire life, or I can be Iseut somewhere else in the world, but I am staying a woman and nothing will ever be able to change that!¡± She felt someone¡¯s hand on her shoulder, and she reached up with her own to sp it. ¡°Well?!¡± she demanded. Hann looked away and sighed deeply. Iseut chanced a nce at Morris, who also wasn¡¯t looking at her, and at Judd, who was at least watching her but looked frightened. She grit her teeth. Whatever happened, she needed to stand her ground on this. Then Hann mumbled something. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear that,¡± Iseut told him. ¡°You¡¯d really speak to your father this way, girl?¡± he asked, ring darkly at her. ¡°If you won¡¯t treat me with any respect, I¡¯ll respond in kind,¡± she dered. Hann was quiet for a moment, then took a few steps forward and replied, ¡°Very well. You won¡¯t have to leave. I¡¯ll ept that you¡¯re living as a woman now, if that¡¯s what you really want.¡± Iseut nodded. Then she turned away from her father to face Aldith. Aldith looked down to see the talisman hanging from Iseut¡¯s neck, and she smiled sadly. Iseut took a step forward and grabbed Aldith in a hug. After a moment, Aldith returned the gesture. ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± she told her friends. 14. Free Bird 14. Free Bird ¡°Alright, Iseut. We¡¯re all here. Now tell us what happened yesterday.¡± Iseut clutched her warm milk in her hands tightly and started to ry the story. She and her friends were having their usual weekly morning meeting in the tavern. Everyone around the table leaned in, save for Stace who was sitting back in her chair with her arms folded. Eda was sitting on one side of Amis, and Stace on the other, each holding one of his hands. Firmin and Noll were sitting together, watching Iseut with wide eyes and holding tightly onto each other. Wilmot, Jocosa, and Meggy all sat off to the side, listening intently. When Iseut was finished, she sighed and sank down in her seat. ¡°Wow. How are you feeling?¡± Wilmot asked. ¡°I¡¯m d it¡¯s over. Otherwise I¡¯m fine. I got what I wanted all along.¡± ¡°We¡¯re just grateful you¡¯re okay,¡± Jocosa said quietly, ¡°That sounds like a dangerous situation.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to just put it behind me,¡± Iseut admitted. Several of her friends nodded. ¡°I can get you a drink if you want,¡± Meggy offered, gesturing back toward the kitchen area. Iseut replied with a hollowugh and said, ¡°Thank you, but no. I¡¯d appreciate it if we just moved on.¡± ¡°Can do,¡± she said, ¡°Eda, I think I have your boots.¡± ¡°Is that where they went?¡± Eda asked, frowning, ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for them for days now.¡± ¡°Yeah, it took me a while to figure out why I had so many pairs of shoes. Then I actually put them on and realized ¡®oh no, these are way too small for me.¡¯ I can drop them offter.¡± Noll turned to Stace and asked, ¡°You and Aldith didn¡¯t get into any trouble, did you?¡± Stace shook her head. ¡°No, everyone just wanted to forget the entire thing. And Aldith really chewed the chief out when it was done. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s going to be overstepping his boundaries with her again any time soon.¡± Firmin asked Iseut, ¡°So you still get to learn magic from her too, then?¡± ¡°I am,¡± Iseut replied, ¡°But less often. I¡¯m trying to better bnce all the different things in my life, so my training is going to go a lot slower from now on.¡± Conversations continued around the table while Iseut watched. Firmin and Noll were admitting to Jocosa that the two of them wanted to get a pet. Eda was leaning up against Amis while Meggy and Stace talked magic. Wilmot was just staring off into space and yawning asionally, clearly still tired from the day before. Iseut started to chuckle. Everything felt right. Everything was¡­ perfect. ¡°Iseut? You¡¯re crying,¡± Firmin said suddenly. Iseut reached up and wiped away a few tears. ¡°Oh, honey,¡± Wilmot said, ¡°You must still be shaken from the events of yesterday. We understand. It¡¯s okay to cry.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± Iseut said, sniffling, ¡°I mean, maybe. But really I¡±m just so grateful to be here.¡± ¡°You know we would have stayed friends with you no matter what, right?¡± Stace asked. ¡°Yeah, I know, it¡¯s just¡­¡± she took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯m d I get to be here as myself. I¡¯m so happy for the life I get to live now.¡± Everyone around her was smiling now. Slowly, Stace got up from her seat and sat down next to Iseut, then grabbed her in a gentle hug. ¡°We¡¯re d for you too,¡± she said. Iseut sniffed and nodded, leaning into the hug. After a moment, everyone else started to stand up too. They gathered around Iseut and joined in the hug. She was surrounded by the warmth of her friends. ¡°I really need to go,¡± she told Stace, ¡°Ro is expecting me.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush.¡± Everyone sat back down to continue talking. But Iseut did have ns that morning and had to leave early. She gave them onest tearful goodbye and started walking toward the edge of town. Iseut had to stop at her bunkhouse to pick up her bow. When she arrived at the hunting cabin, Rohesia was already there with a group of eight young men and women. The new recruits were a few years younger than Iseut was, and held their weapons uncertainly in her hands. ¡°d you could make it,¡± Rohesia told Iseut, ¡°We were about to start without you.¡± ¡°Sorry about that.¡± ¡°You ready to show them how it¡¯s done?¡± Iseut grinned and picked up a quiver of arrows. She took a spot in front of a target and nodded at Rohesia. The recruits were watching, still muttering among themselves. ¡°Alright!¡± Ro cried, getting their attention, ¡°Now I¡¯m going to show you what my very best student can do. If you put your very all into practicing, you might one day be half as good as she is.¡± It was ttering, but also a little nerve-wracking for Iseut to hear. She wasn¡¯t nearly as good as she used to be, and now she had to show off for a bunch of neers who had never used a bow before. Iseut could feel the sweat already forming on her forehead. ¡°Iseut, whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± She nodded and took a deep breath. Time to put on a show. In one swift movement, Iseut pulled an arrow from her quiver, nocked it, and released the bowstring. The arrow pierced the air andnded in the dead center of the target. Without pausing, Iseutunched another arrow, and another. Her uracy was strong, and all her shots ended up clustered toward the center. Then she turned slightly and fired another arrow at a different target,ing at it from an angle. Her shot came close to the center of the target. Without breaking her flow, Iseut drew another and aimed at a different target, at an even sharper angle and slightly further away. It too found its mark at the center of the target. ¡°Very good, Iseut,¡± Rohesia said, ¡°Go and collect your arrows. Everyone else, grab a quiver.¡± Iseut could breathe easily. She quickly retrieved her arrows and sat the quiver down against the wall of the hunting cabin with her arrows. While Rohesia was giving instructions to her new students, Iseut sat down and tried to rx. Once the trainees were all firing, Rohesia took a few steps back to stand next to Iseut. Still watching her students, Ro asked Iseut, ¡°How are you feeling after what happened yesterday?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Iseut assured her, ¡°It¡¯s going to take a while for things to feel normal again, but I¡¯m going to be alright. Thanks for asking.¡± Rohesia nodded curtly, then said, ¡°I¡¯m d. You¡¯re really important to me, Iseut. I want you to be happy.¡± ¡°Am I the daughter you never had?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let it go to your head,¡± Rohesia snapped, but Iseut could see her cheeks flush. ¡°Help me with these trainees. Their form is terrible.¡± Iseut chuckled and stood up. They went between the different students, helping to adjust their stance and form. A couple of times, Iseut had to demonstrate again, telling them to focus on one or two things about her posture in particr. After about an hour, most of them had shown clear improvement. One in particr, though, was still struggling. Rohesia barked at him a few times, and Iseut winced. She gestured for Ro to ease off, then walked up to talk to the young man. ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± she told him, when she saw that he was struggling not to cry. ¡°I¡¯m not good at this,¡± he muttered. His arms were shaking and he was holding his bow limply. ¡°Nobody is when they start. But Rohesia is the best teacher there is. Now hold up your bow. I¡¯m going to show you again.¡± The trainee followed her instructions, but frowned. ¡°She¡¯s just so strict.¡± ¡°She is. A little too much. But she does care about you. And she¡¯s going to make you a great hunter. Rohesia is good at finding someone¡¯s inner strength, even if they themselves don¡¯t realize they have it. And if she¡¯s too hard on you, remind her that I said it¡¯s okay to cry.¡± Iseut gave him a little wink. ¡°That should get her toy off a bit.¡± The young man managed to smile a little bit and nodded. Iseut helped him fire off a few shots, and he seemed to calm down. Then she left him and walked back over to Rohesia. ¡°He should be fine,¡± Iseut said, ¡°Just be gentle.¡± ¡°If you want steel, you need a hot forge and a heavy hammer,¡± Rohesia reminded her, ¡°It¡¯s not going to be easy for them all the time.¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t break them like you almost did me.¡± Rohesia didn¡¯t look her in the eye, but nodded. ¡°I need to go,¡± Iseut continued, ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a couple of days.¡± ¡°You did a good job today,¡± Rohesia told Iseut, patting her swiftly on the back. ¡°Well, I had a good teacher.¡± Iseut ran, and by the time she reached Hamon¡¯s workshop she was a little out of breath. She took a moment to tie her hair back with her ribbon and wiped the sweat from her brow. When she was ready, Iseut opened the door and walked inside. ¡°Am Ite?¡± she asked, setting her bow down on a table. ¡°I expected you a little earlier, actually,¡± Hamon replied, looking up from the pair of trousers he was working on. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was helping my mo¡ª um, teacher.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that much of a problem,¡± Hamon said, ¡°But please do try to be more wary of time in the future.¡± ¡°I will. What are we working on?¡± ¡°There are a couple of shirts on that table that need mending. You can get started on those.¡± Iseut got to work, but after a few minutes Hamon asked, ¡°How do you feel, by the way?¡± ¡°I feel great,¡± Iseut answered honestly, fixing a torn sleeve, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Everyone¡¯s already heard about what happened earlier,¡± he answered, ¡°If you need some time¡ª¡± ¡°Really, Hamon, thank you,¡± she interrupted him, smiling softly, ¡°But I really want to work right now.¡± Hamon nodded. They worked mostly in silence. asionally they¡¯d hear the door out front open and Hamon would step outside to see whoever had arrived and what they needed. Iseut barely noticed for the most part; she was that involved in her work. ¡°Iseut?¡± Hamon asked, getting her attention, ¡°These folks are here to see you.¡± Iseut looked up from the shirt she was working on to see a man and woman she was unfamiliar with, along with a boy she recognized. ¡°Randel?¡± she asked, stepping away from the counter. ¡°Hello, unicorndy,¡± Randel said, ¡°This is my mom and dad.¡± ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to meet you,¡± the boy¡¯s mother said, striding forward and surprising Iseut with a hug. ¡°Wow. Thank you? What brings you all here?¡± ¡°We wanted to thank you,¡± Randel¡¯s father said, ¡°Our son has told us a lot about you. We¡¯re here to thank you for everything you did.¡± ¡°For what I did?¡± Iseut asked, looking between the two adults. Randel¡¯s father nodded, continuing, ¡°We would have had no idea how to navigate what he was feeling. Without you, he probably wouldn¡¯t have found the words to express what he needed from us.¡± ¡°He¡¯s so much happier because of you,¡± Randel¡¯s mother added. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ thank you. Thank you very much,¡± Iseut said, tears welling up in her eyes, ¡°It wasn¡¯t that much, really. I was just there to lend an ear when he needed it.¡± ¡°Regardless, nobody could have provided the help that you did.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Iseut felt her face burning. ¡°I don¡¯t know what else to say. Thank you. Truth be told, talking to him helped me figure out a few things about myself as well.¡± She turned to look at the kid, who was standing by one of the mannequins and tugging lightly at the half-finished outfit. Iseut couldn¡¯t help but smile a little bit. He held himself so much more confidently than he used to. ¡°Randel,¡± his father said, and both the kid and Iseut turned to face him, ¡°We need to go. Your friends are waiting.¡± ¡°Coming, dad,¡± he said, letting go of the mannequin and walking back over to the adults. Turning to Iseut, he said, ¡°Thank you, unicorndy.¡± His mother cleared her throat and said, ¡°Randel, be polite. Use her real name.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Iseut.¡± Iseut felt like her heart was going to burst. She bid a quick goodbye to Randel and his parents and they left the workshop. Afterward, Iseut just needed a moment to breathe and take in what had happened. ¡°Iseut?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here!¡± Iseut cried, snapping back to attention. She turned around to face Hamon, blushing. ¡°Sorry. That was a lot to take it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Hamon said, ¡°But we really need to get back to work. You have to leave early today and there¡¯s still quite a bit to get through.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Thank you. I¡¯m sorry today¡¯s been so hectic.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯ve been through a lot recently. It¡¯s going to take a while before things go back to normal.¡± Iseut said goodbye to Hamon early, slung her bow across her back, and headed toward the edge of town. She stopped by Aldith¡¯s hut and knocked on the door. Aldith presented her with a small bouquet of flowers and wished her good luck. Her heart was thumping as Iseut made her way to the edge of town. It had been a long time since she¡¯d done this. She resisted the urge to start pulling the petals off the flowers from anxiety. It didn¡¯t take her a very long time to find her mother¡¯s grave. It looked like it had been undisturbed for a long time. Weeds had grown over the plot and the writing on the tombstone had faded. Iseut ced the bouquet of flowers in front of the tombstone and knelt down. ¡°Hi Mom,¡± she said, ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± She sat for a few minutes in silence. Then Iseut curled her legs up beneath her and continued, ¡°I realized something recently. I¡¯m actually a woman. Have been this entire time. I¡­ I took your name. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡± She blinked away a few tears. ¡°Things have been rough between me and Dad, but everyone else has been really supportive. Well, I lost my best friend. But my teacher, Rohesia, she¡¯s been doing a lot to take care of me. I think you¡¯d like her. And Aldith is¡­ she¡¯s something. I wouldn¡¯t have realized who I was without her and her apprentice.¡± Iseut fell silent again for a moment, then concluded, ¡°I hope you¡¯d be proud of me, Mom.¡± Her daily meditation practices made Iseut a lot more aware of her surroundings than she used to be. She could tell that someone was standing nearby even though they were trying to be quiet. Now that she was done, Iseut stood up and turned to face the neer. Her father stood slumped and defeated. He wasn¡¯t looking directly at Iseut, but it was obvious he was here for her. Iseut snorted and took a few steps closer. ¡°What do you want?¡± she asked. ¡°Hello, Iseut,¡± her father mumbled. Seeing him here was quite an experience. Hann wasn¡¯t the imposing, menacing figure that Iseut had always imagined him to be. He could barely stand straight anymore. It was hard to look at him and feel anything but¡­ pity. ¡°I want to make this clear, Father,¡± Iseut said, folding her arms, ¡°I don¡¯t want to have a rtionship with you anymore. Not after what you did. So you can forget about any more family dinners.¡± After a moment, Hann nodded. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, ¡°If that¡¯s your decision, I¡¯ll respect it.¡± Iseut shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to respect me. I just need you to leave me alone.¡± She didn¡¯t wait for a response. Iseut just brushed past him on her way out of the cemetery. She, at least, could leave with her head held high. There was still one more thing to do before the day was over. Iseut returned to her empty bunkhouse and started changing into her nice dress. Her stomach was in knots. This was the hardest thing she¡¯d have to do for a long while. ¡°You¡¯re early,¡± Meggy told her, when Iseut sat down at the bar, ¡°He¡¯s not even here yet.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so nervous,¡± Iseut admitted, ¡°This is the first date I¡¯ve been on¡­ um¡­ in a long time.¡± ¡°Ever?¡± Iseut shrugged and Meggy chuckled. Meggy gave her a drink to calm her nerves. Iseut drank slowly and focused on her meditation exercises, hoping that she could stop shaking before Wybert got there. Eventually Meggy tapped Iseut on the shoulder and pointed her at a table. Wybert had entered and sat down, and was looking right at her. He waved, and Iseut nearly choked on her drink. Meggy filled the tankard up and sent her on her way. ¡°Hey,¡± Iseut said, sitting down opposite Wybert. ¡°I¡¯m d you made it,¡± Wybert replied, smiling softly. Iseut asked, ¡°Do you want to get something to eat?¡± ¡°Yes, of course. Where¡¯s¡ª?¡± ¡°What can I get you?¡± Meggy asked, sliding up to the table. They gave Meggy their order, and Meggy gave Iseut a wink before heading back to the kitchen. ¡°Thank you for asking me here,¡± Iseut said. ¡°It was my pleasure, actually,¡± Wybert replied. Iseut folded her arms on the table and leaned in. She asked, ¡°How are things at the stables?¡± ¡°The horses are wonderful,¡± he replied, ¡°Magnificent beasts. Do you know how to ride? I could show you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m more into unicorns, actually.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°I got to meet one. Twice.¡± ¡°That¡¯s how¡­?¡± he trailed off, then gestured at Iseut. She frowned. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s how this all happened.¡± ¡°Well¡­ lucky me, I guess.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°My father would have never made you his apprentice otherwise,¡± he said, avoiding her eyes, ¡°And then we would have never met. And I feel like I¡¯d be worse off for that.¡± ¡°You do?¡± she asked, ¡°So do I.¡± She could see a pinch of red in his cheeks. Meggy returned at that moment with a fresh tankard of ale for Wybert. Iseut continued, ¡°You know¡­ I¡¯ve never spent time with a guy¡­ like this.¡± ¡°Like this?¡± he asked, but the deep flush in his cheeks told her that he knew what she meant, ¡°Since the transformation or¡­?¡± ¡°Ever,¡± she admitted, grinning sheepishly. ¡°Then I am a lucky guy.¡± Iseut giggled. Then she asked, ¡°So¡­ do you mind?¡± When he blinked in confusion, she continued, ¡°That I used to, well, live as a guy?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother me. You¡¯re definitely a woman now, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I think I always was and never realized it,¡± she admitted. ¡°Well, I like women. And I think you like men?¡± She nodded. He continued, ¡°Then I don¡¯t see a problem.¡± Iseut hadn¡¯t even been aware of the tension that suddenly melted off of her shoulders. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°For not getting hung up on it.¡± ¡°Iseut, I like you.¡± Iseut felt the heat rising to her cheeks and she grinned stupidly. ¡°Maybe a month ago we wouldn¡¯t have had anything, but as long as you¡¯re happy¡ª¡± ¡°More than you can ever imagine,¡± she interrupted him, cing her hand palm up on the table. Wybert got a twinkle in his eye and ced his hand on hers. Iseut grabbed a hold of his hand and struggled to shove down the butterflies in her stomach. His hand was warm and rough, exactly like she¡¯d imagined it would be. ¡°I¡¯m d to hear it.¡± They continued talking. When their food arrived, the two were forced to separate their hands and eat, but in between bites Iseut made sure to get in quite a few long stares. Wybert really was very attractive. ¡°I¡¯m really d you came,¡± Wybert said once his te was empty. ¡°So am I,¡± she said, ¡°Can we do this again?¡± ¡°At the next opportunity,¡± Wybert promised, reaching over and taking Iseut¡¯s hand again. Iseut closed her eyes and tried to enjoy the moment. This was more than she could have ever hoped for. She had friends who loved her and wanted her to be herself. She¡¯d met a guy who epted her for who she was. For the first time in her life, everything felt right. For all the struggle the past few weeks had been, Iseut finally felt free. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!