They find shelter in the castle.

As her eyes adjusted to the light cast by the lantern, she could see that it was a female hand draped in a black gown. “Who is there?” a feminine voice said softly. Stepping up to the door, Jilleen could now see that the holder of the lamp was indeed a young woman, and a nun as well, dressed in garments and habit.

“Hello, sister. I and my mistress were attacked on the road, and our driver was killed by thieves. We ran to our escape in the tall grass” Jilleen said carefully avoiding mention of her use of magic.

The words tumbled out of her, and suddenly she felt exhausted, “We crawled through the woods and a small stream. We are filthy and tired, I fear we have lost everything save the dirty clothing we are wearing. I beg of you to give us shelter for the night, and I have no doubt my mistress will reward you. My mistress is very important at the royal court, and has great influence with many there.” Jilleen braced herself against the massive gate, next to the door, and the young nun stepped through the opening, and stood next to Jilleen, placing a comforting arm over the redheaded enchantresses shoulder.

“We must find your mistress. Will of course give you shelter and bathe you. I do not know what we will do about your clothing, by the Mother Superior will think of something I’m sure” Jilleen looked into the nun’s dark brown eyes, and guessed the girl to be about her age or younger. She had a friendly open face, and her eyes were filled with concern. Her cheeks dimpled when she smiled, and her skin was smooth and unblemished, like a newborn’s.

“I am Sister Damika, and who are you?”

“My name is Jilleen, and I am the handmaiden of Mistress Vilea” Sister Damika’s eyes flashed with recognition at the name of Jilleen’s employer.

“Let us find your Mistress, Jilleen. The wood is dangerous, and full of beasts, human and otherwise” Jilleen nodded in agreement, and led Sister Damika down the road, were they found Vilea standing just inside the wood line. Jilleen quickly introduced the nun, and the three women walked back to the castle. The nun assured the two women that at daybreak the road would be searched for any sign of the belongings and the carriage. In the meantime, Sister Damika said that she would awaken some of the other sisters of her order, and they would bathe the two dirty and weary women and provide them with rooms to sleep.

Soon they reached the doorway through the main gate, and passed through it into the castle.