MerHameau
Copyright © 2003
Cinna Schmidt

Cover design by Cinna Schmidt

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise - without the prior written permission of the publisher and copyright owners.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either ficticious or are used ficticiously.

Published by Secret of Hogwarts Publishing Company

Cast of Characters/Glossary
Map
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine

     The carpenter looked curiously at these newcomers to his village. Such strangers were rare, for the village was isolated, and the only way to reach it was an old cart trait. Yet this group of bedraggles strangers had found their way there. The shortest was a young boy with curly brown locks and furious red scar stretching from his chin to his ear. He, like the others, was wearing something barely better than rags, and his feet were bare. Yet he was riding a fine brown stallion under all the dirt. Riding with him were two young ladies riding mares, their seat that of those who ride frequently and have been taught well. They, too, wore clothing little better than rags. One had straight blond hair, tied back in a braid down her back. Her high cheekbones and narrowed eyes gave her a regal look, as though she was used to ordering others about. Yet when she smiled at him, her face softened, and looked kind and beautiful. The other young woman had dark hair, likewise braided down her back. Her face was open and friendly, with laugh lines around her eyes. When she notices the carpenter's scrutiny, she smiled, and he quickly turned to examine the fourth member of this strange party. Another young man, he was the tallest the group. He had the hardened face of a soldier who had seen battle, though at the moment it was unguarded and friendly. There was something familiar in that face... the carpenter broke into a sudden grin of recognition.
     "Taes, lad! What a surprise ta see ye agin! Ye look diff'rent."
     The young man grinned in reply and swung from his horse. "Nice to see you again." His voice was cultured. "I was hoping you'd recognize me."
     "O' course, o' course. 'Ow could I forgit ye, Taes, m'lad?"
     "Well, I'm glad. Jako, allow me to introduce Alem of Nevia."
     The younger man bowed from his saddle. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." His voice, as well, was refined.
     "This is young Aly of Deisia," Taes continued, and the young woman with the blond hair nodded regally to him.
     "And this is Dienne of Deisia." The other, dark-haired woman nodded as well.
     "Deisia!" exclaimed the carpenter. "Tha's a fair way frum 'ere ta cum ta our 'umble village."
     "Yes, well, we've come to you for a reason, Jako," said Taes. "You see, we're in a little trouble..."