Keeper of Enchanted Rooms

Silas has scouted the island and senses that it is strong in chaocracy, which he wants to absorb more of. He is spotted by a clairvoyant and runs away in his wolf form. At the far end of the island, he reverts to his human form and leaves the island, planning his next move.

Merritt, unable to sleep, finds himself thinking of Hulda. He tries to tell himself that he is an independent bachelor but feels that it would be desirable to have company. Rising, he passes Hulda’s door and hears that she is awake. In the kitchen, he finds Baptiste tenderizing meat. They converse, but when they hear a thump and a woman’s shriek, they run to Hulda’s room. Merritt is embarrassed when Baptiste rushes in to find Hulda wearing her underthings. The next morning, Merritt apologizes to Hulda for bursting into her room and realizes that he hadn’t even seen that Beth was also there.

Hulda sits sewing her dress while Merritt edits his manuscript, and she finds that Owein is tilting the floor to move her chair closer to Merritt’s. At last, Owein tosses Hulda from her chair straight into Merritt’s lap. The contact is discomfiting to both, but especially to Hulda.