Keane, having been warned in advance, was calm and prepared to face Winter’s sudden arrival. Autumn, on the other hand, despite knowing ahead of time was still a nervous wreck. There was a third, unexpected variable waiting for them in the lobby. Madoc Bell sat there with the confident smirk of someone who had found something fun and refused to be left out.

  "It is good to see you again, Mr. Bell," Cassandra greeted.

  "You as well," he replied with a smile, "As an interested party who provided a sample, I feel inclined to join your conversation."

  Winter had an odd reaction to Madoc, almost like recognition but not quite. "Just like a Toll," he muttered, which caught Madoc's attention.

  "I heard our silver haired guest has quite the wild proposition," the merchant brought up rather than acknowledging the comment, "I did acquire a sample of the fish, but I would never imagine eating something I know has been poisoned."

  "I have to agree," Keane pitched in, "Besides, I already pulled it apart and began testing. What I have found so far suggests there might be some kind of mental type parasite which is something we can't afford to risk."

  "Mental type," Winter repeated, "Let me see this sample of yours. I am curious about the nature of this parasitic fish."

  "You absolutely cannot eat it," Keane repeated, but pulled out a sample he happened to have on his person.

  Cassandra couldn't control the expression of disgust that immediately crossed her face at the sight of it. This was supposed to be the most delicious fish? The flesh was a deep red like a boiled beet, and the skin was a bright blue that only added to the sickening appearance as it oozed a poisonous purple looking slime from where Keane had cut into it. Not only that, there was the smell. Maybe it was because it had been sitting out to long, the smell of this fish made Cassandra sick to her stomach. How had Keane been hiding the smell of that before he brought it out?

  Winter seemed to take more damage from the smell than she did from the way he visibly drew back. At least that should stop him from trying to eat it. "Where did you get this?" he asked instead.

  "Directly from the supplier," Madoc answered, "Did you find something?"

  "Something I shouldn't have," Winter confirmed, "How much do you know about dreams?"

  From his cautious tone it was clear he wasn't talking about normal dreams. There was one dream, or rather Nightmare, in particular that immediately came to mind. Winter seemed to have someone in mind as well from the way his gaze turned to Cassandra's ever present fox companion.

  "That depends on what kinds of dreams you are referring to," Alois replied warily.

  "You know enough," Winter concluded, "That fish has powerful nightmare magic. It could be a Nightmare itself, or it could have been enchanted. Either way, the Nightmare is here."

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  "You seem rather familiar with dreams," Madoc commented, "Even from my experience all I have are vague theories and old tales."

  Winter sighed, seeming more annoyed by the situation than the merchant, "Exactly. That is how it should be. It was strange enough for one Nightmare to be wandering openly in reality, but the one involved with your fish here is just a common Nightmare. It shouldn't be able to survive in reality."

  "If you are claiming the supplier is one of those Nightmares, that is impossible," Madoc pointed out immediately, "I received this sample directly from the head of the Cano family."

  "In that case, the Nightmare is probably from Kalorvia," Caleb considered, "Was there anyone else there who Kalorvia might have sent to keep an eye on him?"

  Madoc's eyes sharpened as if someone immediately came to mind. "If I tell you what I know, what do you intend to do about it?" he demanded.

  "Meet them," Winter replied as if it was obvious, "It is always best to know what we are up against."

  Alois sighed. "I guess there is no avoiding it," he muttered, undoing the magic to let his hair return from the enchanted blue to its natural crimson color. "I'll have to return home. As my summon you will be able to come with me."

  "And your friends," Keane pressed.

  "I'm not sure I can get all of you in," Alois warned.

  "You can," Cassandra piped in, "If your family doesn't let us in, there is no reason for you to return home in the first place. Besides, I doubt they will turn us away. We will all surely be invited to have dinner. Fish."

  "If you make it out alive and fully within your own minds, do tell me how it goes," Madoc told them, "I am sure I can find something among my wares to make it worth your while to satisfy my curiosity."

  Just like that, everything was decided. Alois didn't even have to contact his family or ask them anything. Not long after he shed his disguise he was told to come home, and invite all of his friends to come as well. Just as Cassandra expected, they were invited to share a meal with the Cano family, one full of local specialties. When Madoc was asked about the suspect he saw, he seemed confident they would recognize her with no help from him.

  Rather than dinner, the group arrived at the Cano estate just in time for an afternoon meal. The servants showed no surprise at the size or variety of the group that Alois brought with him. Their attitude made it incredibly clear that Alois had always been the black sheep of the family. Still, they were led courteously enough to a reception room where a man with the same crimson hair as Alois awaited them with his family and one young girl who looked nothing like the rest of them.

  Perhaps it was just because of the impression they gave off, Cassandra thought that Alois did not resemble his family much other than the hair and the fact they were all elves. His father in particular had a nasty glint in his beady eyes as he greedily observed his guests.

  “You made quite the array of friends,” he commented to Alois, “As expected of my son. A merchant always prides in their networking skills.”

  “Spare me the nonsense,” Alois scoffed, “What do you want?”

  “Isn’t it about time you stop playing errand boy for the Headmaster and come home?” his father pressed, “I am sure you know already that Tethia won’t be around much longer. Use your head and join the winning side.”

  It was Winter, not Alois, who replied to the mocking words this time. “Is it really the winning side if you have to die to join it?” he demanded sharply, “Those are bold words coming from a dead man.”

  For a moment, Cassandra assumed that Winter was threatening his life. Then she saw the odd reactions of both the girl with black hair and Master Cano. Something far more sinister than fish was going on here, and that girl was the key to finding the truth.