Chapter Five
        Lightning flashed outside, the resounding booming of the thunder, brought Dakota out of a deep sleep. She gazed at the dark window. Stretching, she climbed out of bed and stumbled over to the window. Her gaze traveled to the trees bordering the tavern. The branches twisted and waved violently in the howling wind. Lightning flashed, lighting up the tavern yard as bright as day, stunning Kota's eyes momentarily. The thunder followed quickly, rattling the window pane.

        Dakota chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip. She had the dream about the knife fight again. She was becoming scared. Both dreams had her dying or coming close to it. The fact that her mother had dreams didn't help to alleviate her fear. If anything, it made her more uneasy. If these dreams were true, she was a witch. How this was possible she had no idea. She would have to talk to Dirk in the morning to see if he knew anything.

        She crawled back to bed and lay down. Closing her eyes, she listened to the storm raging outside. Dakota fell asleep to the sounds of the storm as her lullaby.

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        Dirk was pacing downstairs when Kota joined him. She was pushing her hair out of her eyes as she approached him.

        "We're not going far today, are we?" Dakota yawned.

        "Not with that wretched storm still going strong." He continued pacing the common room. He stopped when she laid a hand on his arm.

        "Pacing won't make the storm go away, you know." She gave him a lopsided grin, while pulling him to a table. "I would like to talk and perhaps get some breakfast."

        Dirk grimaced at the mention of talking. He knew she was going to grill him for more information. Sighing, he plopped down in a chair.

        A serving girl approached their table. Dirk quickly requested two meals and milk before turning to face Dakota's inevitable questioning.

        Dakota's face was thoughtful a moment before she voiced her first question. "You mentioned a sister when we first met. What's she like?"

        "Marina, well she's about a couple of years older than you." He gazed off into space thinking. "You look a bit like her. Same brown hair and dark blue eyes. Marina's a bit shorter, I think."

        Dakota looked exasperated. "I asked what she's like, not what she looks like."

        "Sorry. For the most part, she is kind and caring. She has quite a temper though. Marina is due to have a baby soon. That's why I wish we could get back on the road."

        "She's married then. What about him?"

        "Garret dotes on her. If he didn't I would have never left Marina in Frontera." He gazed at Dakota. "I think Marina and Garret would love to meet you."

        "Really." Her eyes looked hopeful. "That would be so nice."

        "What else do you want to know?"

        "What do the people of Frontera think about magic?"

        "Magic, huh?" Dirk glanced up as the serving girl placed the meals before them. He waited until she was out of earshot before continuing. "It's fairly well accepted by some, but there are those that fear it. Our family doesn't mind magic; we've had are fair share of witches and wizards in the family. Grandmother Lois is a witch, though not too powerful." He swallowed a mouthful of eggs. "Those that fear it just misunderstand witches and wizards or mix them up is sorcerers."

        "What about mages? Aren't they different from other magic users?" She sipped at her milk awaiting her answer.

        "Don't look at me to answer that. I can't even tell you the difference between a mule and hinny, let alone the differences between mages and witches or wizards."

        "Oh." Dakota's disappointment came through on her lowered voice.

        "Maybe someone in Frontera can answer that for you." Dirk patted her hand comfortingly. "I don't know everything, Dakota."

        "I know. Just wish I could find all the answers to my questions."

        "Well try another question and I'll try to answer."

        "The Mystic Forest. What can I expect there?"

        Dirk looked serious. He glanced around before answering. "Expect the unexpected. Nothing is as it seems there." He placed his utensils down. "There are pools of acid there that look just like water. What looks harmless could very well kill you."

        Kota's throat moved convulsively and her hand went to her neck remembering the last dream. "Dirk, we'll be alright, won't we?"

        "I didn't mean to scare you, Dakota. I'll help you as best I can, I promise."

        Dakota was now the one pacing the common room. Dirk sat dozing in a chair against the wall. It had been raining nonstop for nearly fourteen hours. She was bored. Looking over at Dirk , she sighed in frustration. She reached to her belt and drew her knife. Holding it lightly, she moved over to a secluded corner to practice.

        Dirk cracked open an eye to watch Kota going through the motions. He grinned slightly. She was definitely better than last time. Still too wild, but more controlled. At least she was getting some practice in. She would need it when they reached Mystic Forest. His grin turned sour. He would need every bit of skill to get them both through there alive. He didn't tell Dakota everything. It was very likely that they would have to spend at least one night there and that scared him.

        He knew some minor protection spells that Grandmother Lois insisted all her children and grandchildren learn, but they were just that, minor. Very little use in Mystic Forest. Dirk slammed his feet to the floor and walked over to Dakota.

        "You're doing better, Dakota." She turned around startled out of her stance. "Use shorter and quicker strokes. They could mean the difference between life and death."

        Kota set her face in a mask of seriousness. Taking the knife firmly in hand, she moved about at Dirk's coaching. Standing on the balls of her feet, she moved fluidly about the secluded corner, knife flashing dangerously in the dim candlelight.

        "Control your breathing more, Dakota." Dirk's advice came to her. She slowed her breathing to match her movements. Her strokes became more steady and sure as Dirk coached her in their little corner. The knife flashed in and out of the candlelight while she moved.

        Dirk stood back and watched as she quickly improved her movements. He was impressed. Maybe it wouldn't be as difficult in Mystic Forest as he thought. Only real battle would prove if he was correct in her ease with the knife.

        Dakota slowed her movements and lowered the knife, looking at Dirk. She was grinning widely while panting slightly from exertion. He clasped her on the shoulder and nodded slightly. He had a slight grin on his face. She sheathed the knife and went back over to the table with Dirk following a second behind.

        Once seated, Dirk motioned for the serving girl from earlier. She hustled over with two mugs of mulled wine. After placing the mugs before them, she slipped into the background.

        "Dakota, we'll leave tomorrow. I can't stay here to much longer."

        "It's Marina, isn't it?"

        "Yes, I promised her I would be there to meet my new niece or nephew." Dirk sipped at the spiced wine.

        Kota glanced over the top of her mug at him. "I understand. I'll be ready." She drained the mug before heading to her room to prepare for the next leg of her journey.