"I...suspected she might be," Umar answered. "But I could not be sure. I think it may be the Puck. I described the Puck to her, and she said it was like I was describing her Mr. Tumnus. She was very...angry, very protective of the thing. And she was very suspicious of outsiders. No one else is allowed to see Mr. Tumnus, apparently. I asked."

"Puck likes kids," Judith said darkly, which caused Morgana to let out a small squeak of dismay. "Not like Auberon liked kids, praise the gods," she corrected sharply, in a concession to comforting her daughter. She regarded Umar again. "What's the chance we can confirm this and snatch her back out of there?"

"I gave her a seashell," Umar replied. "So I will be able to locate her, as long as she keeps it on her person. I just...I did not want to frighten her," he said, looking sadly at Morgana. "I was worried that snatching her would do more harm than good, which is why I did not merely bring her back. She does not remember anyone. She says that her mother sent her to be abandoned in the woods."

Judith visibly pulled herself back together in an effort to come up with a linear plan. "At least we found out there's a way in. Even if it's just you, Rafat. If you're willing to try it again, maybe we can roust up someone else. You can't be the only one in the whole castle. Second, we need to find out who this girl is. Whatever's going on there, it won't anyone if we end up grabbin' the wrong target."

Suddenly she flinched. There was a visible hesitation, as she debated whether or not she should let this thought out into the open in front of Morgana. Finally she shared it with Umar, on the sly: 'Dareen' means an oak tree. It might just be coincidence, but . . . acorns, oaks . . .

Umar raised an eyebrow at the information, and scratched his chin. "I think it may be better if we could send another child," Umar answered. "One her own age, or close to it. She made me promise not to come back, and if I do come back...well, she will know something is amiss. Or...Hm. Someone she might admire."

"Other kids we got," said Judith. "We've got all the Jones girls but the one who's lying-in."

"Bram and Elaine," Morgana offered faintly, "Bram would go, I know."

Judith's eyebrows went up. "Sure, why not, it couldn't hurt to try 'im. We could glam Umar if he's willing. The Puck might be able to sniff him out but if there's no iron, he could pass."

"I do not think there is any iron," Umar replied. "I would be willing to try that. Since I can find her by the seashell."

She nodded to him, flashing him a half-grin. "Good neighbor. I bet you make an adorable twelve-winter kid. What are you lookin' at in there? Talking animals, potentially the Puck . . . Meg, permission to knock the kid over the head and drag her out?"

Morgana winced, then gave Judith a weary look. "An it comes to that, I do have much more effective ways of knocking people unconscious than hitting them over the head, Mother."

Umar chuckled. "I think I would prefer the non-violent method. I wonder how easy it would be to simply go into the house at night...although if their timing is not what ours is, night could be months away and broad daylight." He frowned. "The Puck, maybe, or if not some creature like the Puck. The animals, who are all armed and very powerful. I do not know what else. The child seems quite adept at glamourie."

"And if you get a good clear shot at the Puck, kill it," Morgana said. Judith looked at the woman in surprise, and Morgana went on, "What? There's no one under any enchantments, which is the only thing that was stopping us last time. Acorn's the last one. Once we get her back, I say get rid of it."

"You're lettin' your temper get hold of you," Judith began wearily, to which Morgana shot back, "I am not. It's caused enough misery. What, do you expect me to insist we euthanize the fucking thing?"