“Hmm,” said Tilda. “Well, in all of the stories people tell, it’s hidden near the top of Mount Corve, surrounded by clouds and unnatural mist and barred against anyone without magic or royal blood. It holds all the mysteries and secrets of the past, and the Raven Crown is waiting there to be mended one day by its true and rightful heir.

“And if you think no one’s ever tried to make that come true—!” She let out a dismissive huff of air. “Those nobles have been shedding everyone’s blood for decades, and they have plenty of magic on their sides.”

Cordelia leaned closer, ignoring the piece of stale bread in her hand. “Which mountain is Mount Corve?”

“Oh, the tallest of them all, of course, smack-dab in the center of the range. That’s probably what made the legend stick in the first place.” Tilda shrugged. “It looks like the sort of place that ought to be magic, if you’re the sort of person who believes in pretty fairy tales and lost legends. I’ve certainly never known anyone with magic to help anyone besides themselves.”

Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, too, until she and Cordelia were almost nose to nose. “But why do you even want to know? And where did you three come from, anyway? People were telling each other that tale long before any of us were born. How could you never have heard it before—especially when you’re so determined to go there?”

Before Cordelia could answer, there was a shout from one of the women who stood guard by the edge of the trees. “Soldiers coming!”

The camp erupted into chaos. Cordelia leaped to her feet along with everyone else. Voices rose in confusion and fear as adults raced to gather up the other children from their rest.

Tilda called out urgently, “Are they coming from the forest? Is the enchantress with them?”

“No, they’re coming from the farms, seven men-at-arms together—wait! Hal’s with them. He’s leading them here!”

“What?” Tilda’s mouth dropped open. “But why—? Oh no. How could he be so foolish—and so cruel?”

“What’s going on?” Scooping up her sword-stick, Rosalind took up a martial stance just ahead of Cordelia and Giles.

“He’s told the soldiers about you three!” Tilda groaned. “They asked us to watch out for demons, and he swore he’d seen your sister transform from a bear—but how he could really believe—argh! He must have thought, if he only pleased them, they would give him back his farm. That fool!”

“Hurry. They’ll be here any moment!” A fair-haired older woman hurried up, a whimpering baby pressed firmly against her shoulder. “Can we hide these three?”

“Not if Hal’s here to find them. They could run—”