《The Monster Prince》


 Chapter One

    At the right time of day, the castle cast a uniquely shaped shadow directly over the town of TallHillde. The shadow of a bat with outstretched wings, or maybe a vulture, or maybe a dragon. There was some debate. The aged ones called it the vulture, privately amongst themselves, although it wasn''t clear if that may have been an indictment against it''s inhabitants as much as anything.


    In fact, some parts of the Vulture were so old that they just randomly fell down or crumbled apart, causing a work order to be put in for an eventual repair. It was a great employer for the area. In fact the castle in general was one of the largest employers in the whole of TallHillde, second only to the mines. As long as no one important was injured or killed by the falling stone, it was basically brushed off as a normal part of life in the castle.


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    Elwin went to him, and reasonably tall boy though he was, only the top of his head was even with the window ledge. "Oh no, its not that. Its just, a man should not be in here. Especially a strange man, my gods! If there are any repairs to be made up here, I must be around while they are working." he said firmly. And a man should not be touching you, or lifting you. But how to explain the black hearts of men to someone so sweet. And he didn''t want to scare him. "Some men . . ." He started, glad that the prince could not see the expression on his face. "I''m not saying . . . "


    The prince patted Elwin gently on the top of his head. "The world must be an overwhelming place. You are full of anxiety."


    Elwin laughed. "Never mind, never mind." He reached up and lifted, as carefully as possible, knowing the risks, Prin into his arms. He weighed no more then a bundle of blankets.


    Prin put his arms around Elwin''s neck. "I''m glad you are here." His black curls brushed the side of Elwin''s face, as soft as a bird''s feather, and the cheek that brushed his own was hotter then he had expected.


    Elwin sat him down on the bed. "Have you had medicine today?"


    "No, I don''t think so." Prin said. "Do you want to talk about dragons?"


    "Yes." Elwin said. "Let me prepare your medicine first." He noticed the glass of water, cut fruit and a bowl of broth on the table. So he hadn''t eaten breakfast yet either. The one who had brung it was not very attentive.


    Prin clapped his hands together. "Oh good! Chapter 439 of The Dragon''s Revenge is ready. You are going to love this one, El."

 Chapter Two

    Dolce slammed the book down in front of Elwin as he sat in the big servants dining hall, trying to enjoy a meal in peace. It was unlike her to show up here, as resourceful and busy and hidden away off to herself as she was, like a possum. Even still, they saw more of each other then they did of their busy parents.


    ¡°A good one, eh? I have no idea what it says.¡± She pulled up a chair across from her brother and stole a hunk of warm buttered bread from his plate. ¡°Yum.¡± She bit into it with relish. Dolce''s blond hair was pulled into a ponytail and looked like it badly needed a wash and her cloak was splashed with mud and who knew what else.


    Unlike Elwin, who put in at least an attempt at being a dutiful son, studying the trade of his parents when invited, or helping out with a big banquet, checking in now and then, Dolce was her own creature making her own way, even at only fourteen. His parents had wisely chosen to have no further children after this one.


    He looked down at the book. At first it didn''t look like much, with it''s cracked leather binding that seemed as though it wanted to turn back to dust. Elwin turned the page and was looking at hand inked words in a flourishing script, one he could only recognize a few words here and there in.


    ¡°I don''t know what it says either.¡± Elwin said, only vaguely interested. He took his remaining piece of bread and dipped it in the soup, taking a big bite, lest she take the rest off him.


    Dolce looked perturbed. ¡°You aint even looking at it. Look how old it is.¡± She flipped further in and stopped at a luxuriantly painted dragon, clearly getting the better of a tiny knight at it''s feet. She flipped again, passing quickly by more illustrations of fairies and creatures of all sorts. ¡°Your little man will go crazy for this book, trust me.¡± She slid a slip of paper across the table to him. ¡°I got it from a guy at the docks and I told him you''d pay.¡± She grinned. ¡°And don''t forget my twenty percent finders fee!¡±


    Elwin looked at the bill. It was a little higher then what he would have thought, but the royal accounts would pay for it. He had discretion over Prin''s money, in such that these little treats could keep him happy and entertained, but he was afraid of over doing it that it would be taken away. ¡°Ten percent.¡± he said.


    ¡°To your own sister! Oh fine. But I can do math, I know what ten percent of that is.¡± She warned. ¡°So how is he anyway? Still spending all your time up there?¡± Dolce did not speak to clearly about who she was talking about, since the topic was an open secret and somewhat forbidden, especially in a crowded dining room.


    ¡°He''s alright.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And what do you mean by that anyway?¡±


    ¡°It''s just,¡± Dolce sighed and gave him the lets get serious look. ¡°I know how it is you really feel, and I think you need to cut it out, okay?¡± She spoke softly and leaned close, to avoid prying ears. ¡°You know if you continue like this he''s just going to die and leave you devastated. Better to just start pealing away now and soften the blow.¡±


    ¡°You need to mind your own business. I''m all he has.¡± Elwin considered lowering the finders fee to five percent, just out of spite.


    ¡°You know mom and dad are trying to find you a rich girl to marry?¡± Dolce continued. ¡°I guess they might just pull it off with their connections and you being, you know, I don''t know, handsome and stuff I guess.¡± She added begrudgingly. ¡°Cause you look like me, haha. But how are you going to pay attention to your wife when your heart is with another?¡±


    Elwin stood up from the table. ¡°Of course I love him he''s as much of a sibling to me as you are, more even.¡±


    ¡°If you say so.¡± Dolce rolled her eyes. ¡°If you say so, brother. I''m just trying to give you a heads up, really about the marriage plans. In case you didn''t know, that''s all.¡± She put her hands in the air.


    *


    Perhaps in direct defiance of his sisters statements, or perhaps as something he would have done anyway, Elwin soon found himself with his feet back on the tower staircase. Bringing the newly acquired book, and a basket of supper goods that he intended to see for himself were eaten.


    Although the things that she said were bothering him. Was he that obvious? Who else thought the same as her? Did his parents also have those thoughts, and that''s why they wanted to hasten him into marriage?


    This time when he reached his friend''s door he knocked softly and waited a moment before entering.


    The prince was asleep, with a riot of books all around him, one of which was laying open on his chest. Elwin knew he was the prince''s best loved person in the world, but even he couldn''t compete with books.


    He leaned down and removed the heavy book from where it didn''t belong. Prin let out a little sigh, either of relief for the burden being lifted, or disapproval at the loss of the book who was to say.


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    He did have a pretty face, one that reminded Elwin of the fairy stories they had heard growing up, particularly the one of the girl with skin as white as snow, hair as black as coal, and lips as red as blood. How had that tale worked out for her? He couldn''t quite remember if it had gone well or badly. Something, something, perhaps her heart had been cut out and eaten by a boar.


    Elwin shook his head hard, if he was to go around putting stock in omens and stories he would be no better then the superstitious old biddies in town.


    He put his hand on Prin''s shoulder. ¡°Hey, time to wake up? It''s supper time, and I have a present.¡±


    The prince lay still for a moment, acting like he wasn''t listening until the word present was uttered. Then his eyes opened wide as a child''s. This worked every time.


    Elwin smiled at him, he really never changed, which was comforting somehow. He put some extra pillows behind Prin''s back and helped to prop him up in a sitting position.


    ¡°What is the present?¡± Prin asked, his words interrupted by a coughing fit. Just a small one though, nothing out of the ordinary.


    ¡°How about eat something first?¡± Elwin suggested. He laid things out on the small table; bread, and cheese, and wine, (he knew his friend was not much one for meat, so didn''t bother to bring any). He cut a slice of crumbly perfectly aged cheese onto a piece of bread. ¡°Or how about this?¡± He pulled some pastries out that he had grabbed, freshly baked and just cooled. ¡°Chocolate and cream.¡±


    Prin smiled wanly, clearly not really wanting it but, took the pastry from Elwin.


    ¡°You can''t live on other people''s adventures alone.¡± Elwin teased, gesturing to the books around them.


    ¡°Oh, if only!¡± Prin took a bite of the pastry and chewed it for a long time. ¡°I feel like it really is what I am living on. Didn''t they used to say I wouldn''t make it this long? Didn''t know what rich food I would have, did they?¡±


    Elwin laughed. He didn''t say anything to acknowledge the comment on longevity although it made him cringe inwardly. He typically ignored and brushed off such things, since he couldn''t really bare to think of it. ¡°Speaking of,¡± He took the little book out of his satchel and placed it in front of the prince. ¡°Dolce found it. She sends her regards.¡±


    ¡°I haven''t regarded her face in quite some time.¡± Prin said wryly. ¡°I thought she forgot I exist. If she comes for a visit, she can have some --¡± He trailed off in the middle of whatever it was Dolce could have, to stare in curious wonder at the leather bond book. He opened it with reverence, careful to hold the pastry well away. ¡°Oh my goddess, do you have any idea how old this book is?¡±


    ¡°Pretty old, I imagine.¡± Elwin said, wondering if it was a real question or rhetorical. He reached over and flipped to the dragon page.


    ¡°It''s-it''s written in the script from the between times. I think.¡± He looked at the dragon like it would fly off the page and into his face like an overgrown mosquito.


    ¡°Isn''t that three or four hundred years ago?¡± Elwin was skeptical, perhaps the book was a reproduction. But whatever made the prince happy was good enough for him so he wasn''t going to say it. Maybe Dolce deserved the full twenty percent finder''s fee after all.


    ¡°Maybe more.¡± Prin picked it up turned it here and there in his hands admiring the leather cover and binding. ¡°I think it has been rebound, see how there are extra holes here where the old threads were? I guess that is only natural. After all this time.¡±


    ¡°Eat.¡± Elwin urged.


    The prince took another bite of his pastry. ¡°It really is quite good. Is this a new recipe?¡±


    Elwin blinked, he had thought that Prin was talking about the book still. ¡°Could be. I snagged it from the kitchen just now. Mom and father didn''t even see me, they were too busy preparing some big spread for a banquet or something that is going on tonight.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Who knows what it''s about.¡± Elwin wondered. ¡°Same old kind of thing I imagine.¡± He always tried to make anything going on in the castle, which of course Prin would neither be invited to, nor able to attend, sound as dull and tedious as possible.


    ¡°I''m sure my brother and sister will be there.¡± Prin said. He stopped looking at the book and a wistful expression came momentarily over his face.


    Elwin was quite sure that if he had been required to attend such things he would have hated them but, there was something to be said for the courtesy of being asked.


    Prin had never even met his brother and sister, but Elwin kept him periodically updated, as the need arose.


    ¡°Callimodeus is getting very tall and big,¡± Elwin gestured out to his sides to show a rather stout looking fellow. ¡°His features are even more unfortunate then ever. I think he has the queen''s wide forehead, I hardly see how there is even room for hair at the top, and the king''s broad face. His features are pulled in too many directions.¡± He made the awfullest face he could imagine.


    ¡°Really?¡± Prin asked. He laughed skeptically.


    ¡°But his looks are nothing compared to his personality. He shoved a little serving girl down onto the cobblestones for daring to look in his direction.¡± Elwin said, on a roll.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± The alarmed expression on Prin''s face, made Elwin want to quickly make amends with the wholly invented little girl.


    ¡°She was alright, not to worry! They took her into the kitchen and mom gave her a cold rag for her sore knee and a piece of pie. She was all smiles a few moments later.¡±


    Prin probably didn''t believe a word he was saying but he had the decency to look relieved anyhow on her behalf.


    ¡°Anyway, little miss Diamondwise has a personality just as bad as her brother. She throws a tantrum at the slightest provocation and ruins her dresses by rolling around in the dirty mud when she doesn''t get her way.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin laughed, enjoying the imagery.


    ¡°Her features are more pleasing though, luckily for her.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But she''s nowhere near as cute as you are.¡± He added softly.


    ¡°I''m cute?¡± Prin smiled.


    There was no mirror in the room, so, Elwin realized with a shock, it was probably a legitimate question since the poor prince had no idea really what he even looked like.


    ¡°Very.¡± Elwin said. ¡°The cutest.¡± He hoped that out of everything he had said, Prin would at least choose to see the truth in this one. Not that it mattered much, since he would never be leaving this room, would he?


    Prin gave his friend a teasing smile. ¡°You seem to think so anyway.¡±

 Chapter Three

    Elwin stayed too long, and by the time he got downstairs the castle was vibrating with people. Some were castle staff, heading into the main hall with food and drinks, or ushering in guests. And there were a lot of guests.


    This must be one of the big ones. Elwin''s world being small ordinarily, he had no interest in keeping track of such things. Yet here he was, trapped in the middle of it.


    As he was considering retreating back upstairs (he had spent plenty of overnights in his friends room when they were younger and maybe this was just the time for another one), until the coast was clear at least, one of the kitchen helpers grabbed his arm and urgently put a tray of wine goblets in his hands.


    ¡°Work the party, please, one of the kitchen ladies has gone into labor.¡± He said, whisking back away toward the kitchen without giving Elwin a chance to protest.


    He looked down at himself. He was barely presentable with a clean enough tunic and pants, drab and nothing like the crisp forest green uniforms of the other staff. Oh well, maybe no one would even notice.


    Elwin figured he could make a quick round of the guests and empty his tray, conveniently forgetting to go back for a refill. He felt obligated to at least do that much.


    Elwin slowly wound his way through the crowd, sometimes forgetting the preferred blank faced no eye contact look of the staff, and giving a little smile here and there.


    The main hall was decorated with gauzy silk streamers in the queen''s favorite colors of dark green and rose, edged in metallic gold thread, and gilt everything. It wasn''t bad considering this morning everything had looked as usual.


    The king with his ever stern face, that Elwin wondered how much of was just for show and how much indicated a complete and total lack of good humor, the queen with her up tilted chin and her raven hair done up in gold netting spread throughout with jewels, were sitting behind the big table, flanked by guards who seemed bored. The younger prince sat beside them looking himself like he wanted to fall asleep in his soup bowl, though the night had barely gotten started, and the little princess, leaning forward, desperately wishing to join the dancing that had taken up in one corner, but not having been given permission to do so.


    The guests looked like they were having fun, and Elwin supposed that''s what it was meant to be about.


    A young woman looked like she was trying to catch his eyes, but alas, the wine tray was empty and that was his cue to go.


    Elwin had too much grown up in the middle of all this to be at all impressed or interested.


    If Prin were somehow here he would have made it fun. And had a lot of fodder for one of the stories he told.


    Elwin, distracted by that thought, almost ran into someone who had just slipped in through what should have been the exit door, unguarded as it was by servants wishing to help you with your cloak or announce your presence.


    A slender figure with a black velvet cloak covering them from head to foot hurried towards the center of the room.


    Under other circumstances, perhaps the crowd would have shied away from the mysterious figure, causing a parting through the center of the room. Which seemed to be what the person wanted.


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    As it was, the merry and already half drunk crowd of noble highborn folks, jostled and elbowed obliviously, one even spilling a little bit of their goblet of wine on the person.


    This seemed to be the last irritant to be stood for, and the stranger flung their arms wide, cloak back, revealing the frizzled white hair of an old woman. ¡°Excuse me! Your highness?¡± She declared above the din, in a load and clear voice that seemed incongruous.


    Elwin moved to the side to better see her. It had just gotten interesting.


    She had layers of chains and amulets around her neck, over a long black dress, and her gnarled sharp nailed fingers were decorated with rings of all sorts. Her face was that of someone who may be the oldest women you have ever met. Ceasing to be a particular gender even, maybe aging away from her very humanness.


    The queen clutched her large diamond pendant to her chest, as though afraid it would be stolen right off her person and in front of a crowd of people she herself had invited. The princess shrunk back into her seat, promising to herself, no doubt, to never do evil again. And the prince was the one to lean forward this time.


    However the old woman saw only the king, her narrow black eyes locked onto his, as he sat unflinching, having not moved or changed expression in the slightest.


    ¡°Yes?¡± King Callimodeus did not seem amused, but neither did he seem any other way in particular.


    ¡°I have news for you! Grand news!¡± The old woman declared in a booming tone.


    Elwin wondered if she could speak in any other way, then as a crier at the market trying to hock their wares.


    The king raised one eyebrow in response. ¡°I believe I am well abreast of any news from my kingdom and it''s surrounds. But do go on.¡±


    The party goers had gone largely silent when she first spoke, but they were beginning to lose patience already, shuffling their brocade slippers and sniggering underneath their breath.


    The old woman, sensing her momentum was faltering, quickened her pace. ¡°I have brought with me a great healing power. I have traveled far and wide to fetch it''s ingredients and now I put before you the news that it is a good thing you already have a party at your disposal, since it is a moment of great celebration! Your son will be cured!¡±


    Oh, so she was selling something after all. Elwin narrowed his eyes. He could vaguely remember from when they, himself and Prin, were very young and there were many such people clamoring around, eager to make use of a reward that had been offered for a time. Before the king lost interest in his eldest and began to focus on the already well son he had at hand. These witches were mostly charlatans and quacks, with a sprinkling of well meaning boobs amongst them. And some of their treatments had been agonizing and traumatizing for young Prin.


    Some of the party goers looked around themselves in confusion, eventually settling their eyes onto the son at the king''s side, as though wondering what could be wrong with him that needed curing? Or making an elaborate show to have forgotten the other one, if it pleased his highness. Others looked directly from the king to the witch, not even feigning to not know what she was talking about but, a bit impressed with her for daring to bring it up. How would the king react?


    ¡°You must bring me to him right away!¡± The witch called up the room in his direction, clearly having not read the room.


    The king''s expression changed so subtly that only those in the know of him, could tell it was a glare. Queen Illianna Crystalwise put her elegant hand on the king''s arm.


    ¡°Or, I suppose it could wait.¡± The old woman said. Finally, as they say, getting the picture.


    ¡°Give this woman food and drink.¡± The king said. ¡°And do not let her leave this place.¡± He added sternly.


    A guard came to the woman''s side and took her elbow, kindly, as though she were his own grandmother and led her toward the kitchen.


    Did this mean the king was going to entertain her foolishness? Or simply speak to her for a moment in private before kicking her out the door.


    Elwin had a bad feeling about this, and he realized it had been growing since the moment she had walked through the door.


    *


    Elwin tried to follow her into the kitchen, but the crowd swelled up around him, causing him delay. By the time he was able to get there, she was no where in sight.


    He felt fairly certain that nothing else of note would happen tonight, but still he went home and went to bed and tossed and turned all night. With dreams so disturbing that he prayed that they meant nothing and that he wouldn''t remember them.

 Chapter Four

    After the fitful night of sleep he had, Elwin got out of bed early and quickly washed his face and got dressed. He had not yet paid the man at the docks, a seller of whatever random things the sea and sailors brought to their shores, rather then a proper bookseller. But Elwin was familiar with the one Dolce had written down on her receipt. He was hoping to get it done quickly so that he would be around when those in the Vulture started waking up, and try to find out what happened with the mystery woman.


    As he left his room in their little thatch roofed cottage, in back of the main castle, he stopped to peek in his sister''s open door. It relieved his heart to see Dolce there asleep in her own bed, her covers twisted around as though fighting pirates in her sleep all night long. Knowing her it probably was that. Elwin didn''t know why he had needed to see her, as she wasn''t the type to need worried or fussed over, never had been as far as he could remember. He guessed he was just feeling that uneasy. He couldn''t talk to his parents about it since they were, of course, long gone and no doubt in the middle of breakfast preparation duties as usual.


    He left the house and began the long walk to town, and from there caught a ride on the back of a wagon headed toward the docks. His parents being prominent people around town, responsible for purchasing a not insignificant portion of edible goods that were grown or imported in the town of TallHillde, Elwin had an advantage in this since everyone wanted to assist the son of their biggest customer.


    The docks of TallHillde were rather small as far as these things went. There was not room to accommodate more then one large vessel at a time, and even that was only used twice a month or so to pick up stones and ore from the mines. Other then that it was your usual collection of small fishing and merchant vessels. Still, due to the trade from the mines, a more eclectic group of people washed up on these shores then most moderately sized villages, Elwin imagined.


    Right at the edge of the docks was a group of shops, some rather permanent fixtures, and some temporary tent or shack pop up type of deals.


    There was one made of wood but haphazardly so, that belonged to Mr. Seal, an eccentric middle aged man who loved to tell long winded stories of his adventures at sea (largely exaggerated), and the time he was married briefly to a mermaid (purely his own opinion of her, surely).


    Elwin vowed not to let him get into it. The deal was already made for him so there would be no need to haggle. A quick in and out.


    Some time later (between ten minutes and eternity), Elwin was running thin on patience. Usually he had plenty, but today was not that day.


    ¡°Excuse me, I really have to . . .¡± He held the receipt out in front of him, with the money in exact change clasped to it.


    The man on the other side of the counter, with his big belly only rivaled by his enormous facial hair, kept going for a long moment, as though he were a wind up toy that had to run through it''s song before it could stop and await another wind.


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    ¡°Then, I says to him, I can''t trade you for a pig, aside from having no use for one, I wouldn''t have anywhere to keep it! But this is a very special pig . . . Hmm?¡± His booming voice had a tinge of hurt in it. You to Elwin? Can''t let an old man finish what he was saying? It was just about to get to the good part. He didn''t say any of this out loud, of course, being a business man, more or less, and being as Elwin was holding his money.


    Mr. Seal took the money and squinted down at the receipt. ¡°Oh, THAT book,¡± he said. ¡°I thought I had misplaced it. Forgot all about selling it on to the little miss. Your sister, your sister, young man, drives a hard bargain!¡± He looked at Elwin as though he should really consider doing something about her. ¡°However . . . a bargain it is, and I will stick by it. You know me that well.¡± He carefully counted out the money and nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Mmm, hmm. You know I just got that book. In the bottom of a crate of mostly old clothing items, do you need a new jacket? I can work you a wonderful deal. But in the crate was a small wood box filled with ancient items. Quite interesting. Do you want to see them? It came in on that foreign ship, out yonder, with the extra sails, a few too many in my book, did you see it? And the ugly mermaid . . .¡±


    ¡°Not like your ex wife?¡± Elwin couldn''t help himself.


    ¡°Hey! She was a selkie, not a mermaid, why do you think I am called Mr. Seal? Now Mrs. Seal was the most beautiful . . .¡± Mr. Seal began.


    ¡°A foreign ship?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°Was there an eccentric old woman on board? Witchy dress, lots of jewelry?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, now I don''t . . .¡± Mr. Seal trailed.


    ¡°Old. She looked like the very oldest woman you have ever seen?¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh her! Yes, I saw her. God of Sky, what a shock to see that face suddenly as I looked up from doing some inventory! She didn''t buy nothing, though.¡± He said this almost as though that absolved her of being of any real interest. Not being a customer and all.


    ¡°Did she say anything?¡± Elwin wondered.


    Mr. Seal looked momentarily confused, as though he might be forgetting something but he wasn''t sure what kind of a thing it was. ¡°No, no, I don''t believe so.¡±


    ¡°I had better be going then.¡± Elwin said abruptly. He needed to get back to Prin.


    As he turned to go, Mr. Seal called him back. ¡°Wait a second, here''s a little gift for your prince.¡±


    Something about the term ¡°your prince¡± sent a twinge through Elwin''s heart. Not as though it was the first time anyone had said it to him. But still.


    ¡°Yes?¡± he turned back around.


    Mr. Seal was holding an ancient looking coin, worn near to indiscernible, with a hole through it. He flipped it over to show that both sides were heads, only one was heavily scratched through in the shape of an X.


    ¡°It''s a good luck coin, used to protect against hexes and the like. You put a string through it and make a necklace, or hang it up over your front door.¡± he said.


    Elwin took it from his hand, giving it a skeptical look. ¡°How much?¡±


    Mr. Seal smiled. ¡°Take it, its a gift I said. You already paid enough for the book.¡± He winked. ¡°Just stay and listen to the rest of the story next time! You wont regret it.¡±


    ¡°A heavy price to pay.¡± Elwin teased. He waved at him over his shoulder as he quickly left the shop, tucking the coin into his pocket. He went back in almost as soon as he left. ¡°Are you sure you don''t know anything else about her, the old woman? Anything at all?¡±


    Mr. Seal''s confused expression told that he had already forgotten what little he did know. A look of concentration came over his face, he was usually better then this at remembering people, it was practically his bread and butter to remember a lot of different people and the things they may want. ¡°She wasn''t what she seemed, I think.¡± Was what he finally came out with.


    Elwin nodded. ¡°Thank you. That was my feeling also.¡±

 Chapter Five

    The prince was crying in his bed. He dug hard with the heels of his hands, trying to scrub the tears away but more sprung out to take their place. He hadn''t realized that he was so well hydrated.


    Someone would be coming soon, and he didn''t want to be seen like this. The new healer. Or maybe the work man who was repairing the stone work, the one who seemed like a nice person, no matter what Elwin had said. Or El, he did want it to be him that came first, even though that was the last person he wanted to be extra pathetic around.


    His father, the man who''s face he could barely remember, it had been so long since he had seen it, had been to see him early this morning. He had told him that this was the last time any such effort would be made on his behalf, that he had better make the most of it. The prince had been scolded, like a small child who had been bad. His father had looked at him like he was a leper and spoken to him like he was an idiot. And one you weren''t even particularly found of.


    Prin was scared. What did this mean? Did this mean that they would no longer give him medicines to ease pain or fevers, that the next time he had a bad spell they would just let him die, just to be rid of him? He was scared. But he was also angry. Up until now he had not fully understood the feeling of anger, of rage, as the only ones he had ever had occasion to be angry with were the gods and circumstance, and he knew well how futile that anger was. The prince really just didn''t consider himself that kind of person anyway.


    But the tears were fire-hot angry ones.


    A knock came at the door to his room, more of a gentle tap tap. It didn''t seem like El to knock, but maybe he had heard the crying and was trying to be polite to help the prince preserve his dignity. Prin tried to straighten up quickly, using the hem of his nightshirt to hastily scrub his face. Please stop, please, he begged the salty rivulets that continued down his cheeks unheeding.


    He wondered if he should ask El to get his stuffed rabbit out of storage, the one that Nanny had made for him. It would be a great comfort.


    ¡°Come in.¡± Prin said, cursing his tremulous voice. Was he a man or an infant? Okay, maybe that question''s answer depended on the moment of asking.


    The heavy door moved with a long complaining creak and the person standing there was no one the prince had ever seen in his life. He would have remembered.


    He was a young man, around the age of El and Prin perhaps, with a slender build and short stature. His hair was white and curly, fluffing up and around like a dandelion''s mane. His was an unfamiliar style of dress, a dapper brocade jacket with gold embroidery over a black velvet tunic that was soft and flowing. He had rings on his hands and large eyes that were silver-grey. No, when the light from the window hit them, they were honey colored instead. His feet made no noise at all on the old smooth stones of the flooring.


    Prin took one last swipe at his face with his blanket, the tears had ceased, startled out of him.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Prin knew it wasn''t much of a greeting.


    The boy smiled at him. ¡°Hello.¡± He responded back. His voice was sweet and clear. Maybe it was a girl after all, in vaguely masculine dress. Prin had no idea what to make of them.


    ¡°I- Are you supposed to be here?¡± The prince wondered. He tried to make his own voice equally gentle, not wanting to startle them, or imply that they should hurry away.


    ¡°Yes.¡± That smile. If it held much longer it would be unnerving. ¡°I am here to help you.¡± The honeyed voice caressed the air in the room.


    The prince was reminded of a picture of snakes breeding he had seen in a book and the description, intertwined and writhing. Which he remembered being fascinated by. He didn''t know why that had popped into his head. Or why his mind was wandering this way.


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    ¡°You are the healer!?¡± He was shocked. But he didn''t know what a real one was supposed to look like. Since he had never met a real one. ¡°I am sorry for being rude.¡± He said, chagrined. ¡°I''m very tired.¡±


    ¡°You must be very tired.¡± The healer agreed. ¡°Your life has been nothing but suffering.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn''t say that.¡± Prin said. ¡°I have good days and bad. But I''m normally not such a mess as this.¡± He added the lie and then broke it. ¡°Maybe I am a mess always. I don''t know why I would even say otherwise.¡± He smiled back, a wan little smile that he knew wasn''t helping matters. ¡°Are you a boy or a girl?¡± he asked. He was thinking about what Elwin said about not letting men in the room, but he quickly regretted the question. Was it unforgivably rude? He had little society manners. No need for them. ¡°What''s your name?¡±


    ¡°I am the same as you.¡± The healer said, ignoring the second question. He closed the door behind him and stepped further into the room, stopping beside the bed.


    ¡°A boy? Or someone with a horrible father and a family who doesn''t care about them?¡± Prin said dryly. He knew he came off as a petulant child, but who cared anyway. ¡°You can sit down, if you like.¡± He patted the bed beside himself.


    The boy sat down beside him. He had a smell that grew very strong as he got closer. Some sort of perfume. Pleasant, but very strong and herbal. It was making Prin slightly nauseated.


    The boy put his ringed hand on Prin''s ¡°There is freedom in that. If they don''t care about you there is no need for you to care about them.¡±


    The prince nodded agreeably. ¡°There would be no earthly point.¡±


    The boy moved his hand to Prin''s face, caressing his forehead and down over his eyes, closing them under deft fingers, and down further over each cheek.


    It felt like a cool breeze from the window, between the iron bars that kept him from falling out. Or flying away.


    ¡°I''m not really a healer.¡± The boy said softly. ¡°I am so much more then that. I can change you into something new. Something more strong and well then you could possibly imagine. Wouldn''t you like to walk out of here on your own two legs? You can. But the transformation will not be easy. It is good you have been used to pain already.¡±


    ¡°You don''t have to put up this show. I know you can''t really make me better. You can just read books with me for a time that seems appropriate and then . . . I will say whatever you want me to say to my father. Whatever gets you full payment. He won''t be angry when it doesn''t work, not at you. He considers that a personal failing on my own part, apparently. Although many things have been done that were horrible . . .When I was young they broke my legs again, to try and make them grow longer I think. And that almost killed me, although it didn''t work at all.¡± He opened his eyes and gasped. Those weird silver-honey eyes were inches from his own and he felt he was being swallowed by the moon.


    ¡°The cure requires sacrifices.¡± The boy said, as though Prin had never spoken. ¡°You are so lovely, a pretty creature like you should not be trapped away in an attic like a nest of mice. The marvelous things you will do when you are free.¡± He leaned closer still and kissed the prince on the mouth.


    Prin could feel keenly every split second of the stolen kiss, although the twin moons had captured his ability to move and he thought, the kiss had stolen the breath from his body. If he was dying he supposed it was alright, he made his peace with it. No, no, no! Something in the back of his mind screamed out. I''m not a ghost, to be brought back to life! I am alive already, let me go! The perfume created a fog, and he was no longer sure if it was day or night. Maybe it had been night this whole time.


    ¡°The pain will last for one day.¡± The boy held up one finger, and what had seemed a silver ring in the shape of a snake, slithered around his finger, getting comfortable, with a flick of it''s tiny needle''s edge of a tail. ¡°And then you can leave this place. If you want to. Or stay, and rule.¡± He closed his hand into a fist. His grin was more sly now, it''s tinge of over the top sweetness gone. ¡°If I were you, the first ones sacrificed would be that fat little prince and princess downstairs.¡±


    *


    A fevered dream of blood and screaming, he thought was his own but maybe wasn''t.


    The prince had moments of lucidity where he hated that he had been so easily overtaken. He should have fought harder. Or he should have died easier when he had the chance.


    One day is a meaningless promise, when time itself has no meaning.


    The prince thought he must have spent a good deal of the time unconscious, or nearly so, but strange dreams and visions would follow him . . . no matter how he tried to outrun them.

 Chapter Six

    Elwin had tried everything he could think of to get into the prince''s tower. He sneaked, he bribed, he created distractions, he was a one man jester show. All to no avail, the guard at the foot of the stairs would not budge, being under strict orders from the king not to let anyone, but Elwin in particular out of all the anyones in the castle, disturb the healers work.


    El camped near the foot of the stairs, making idle small talk with the tall and physically imposing guard. He was amiable enough to it, but both of them knew that Elwin was just biding his time and watching for a sign of weakness.


    In the middle of the night as he sat in a chair with a blanket around him, the thought occurred to grapple up the side of the building. There was a window in the old nanny''s room that he thought would be big enough for him to get through, and no bars covering it. Still it was many many stories tall . . . . He bet his sister could do it. It''s just the kind of thing Dolce would do. Just for fun.


    Somehow as he was trying to figure out the logistics of this with his sleepiness addled brain, Elwin managed to fall into a fitful sleep.


    He was woken by voices.


    ¡°Let me help you ma''am.¡± The guard was saying.


    Elwin opened his eyes and stood up quickly, his blanket falling to the floor in an unruly mess. The witch was coming down the stairs.


    ¡°No need.¡± she said. ¡°I can see myself out. My work is done.¡± She passed the soldier by and her foggy old eye caught on Elwin, as he stood directly across from the stairs. ¡°Ah, you. You''re his man.¡±


    Elwin felt heat rise in his cheeks.


    ¡°His servant?¡± She clarified. An obnoxiously knowing look on her wrinkled face.


    El hated that about old people. He shrugged. ¡°Yes? Sure.¡±


    ¡°The prince will sleep for three days.¡± The witch said.


    ¡°Is he alright?¡± Elwin asked. He didn''t know what he could do about it if he wasn''t alright. But this old woman was clearly up to no good. He sensed nothing altruistic about her. So what did she want?


    ¡°Better then he has ever been.¡± She said smoothly. Of course what else would she say, as the supposed miracle worker involved here. ¡°I am off to collect my pay from the king and be on my way. Other matters demand my attention. I''ll be depending on you to take it from here.¡± She gave Elwin a pointed look.


    Maybe that''s all it was, greed. Surely the money that the king was paying her was a handsome sum indeed. ¡°I will, of course.¡± Elwin said. He gave her a look, while trying to take in all the details of her appearance, in case he needed this information later. His look said, you know I know, and I know you know I know, that you are no magical healer, and that such a thing doesn''t even exist.


    She smirked at him. ¡°When he wakes up in three days. He will be hungry.¡±


    *


    Part of him wanted to follow the old woman, although he couldn''t say why exactly or what he thought it would accomplish. Even more then that, he had to check on Prin. And those were the instincts that won out.


    As soon as she was around the corner and out of sight, Elwin ran up the stairs as he had done so many times before. Practically flying.


    The atmosphere at the top of the tower felt off, eerie almost. But he realized that may be just in his head because he didn''t know what to expect. After all, it was always quiet and lonely up here.


    If he felt that way about it, how must Prin feel? Elwin considered moving in to one of the extra rooms, he wasn''t sure if he was technically allowed but doubted if anyone would try to stop him. If he lived up there too, maybe nothing like this could happen again. Who was he kidding? What power did he have to stop the prince''s royal parents from doing whatever they pleased with their son?


    Elwin felt defeated already as he turned the knob and pushed open the heavy familiar door.


    Nothing looked amiss in the bedroom, the shelves were orderly, there was the wheeled bench that Prin used to scooch himself over to the shelves, where his favorite books were nestled onto the lower levels to be within easy reach. There was the desk with paper, quill pens and bottles of ink, including the funny inkwell shaped like a frog. The tapestries on the walls hung straight, with no breeze currently to stir the tassels on the bottom edges. The prince''s window ledge nest looked abandoned, the small pillows and fur throw seeming for decorative purposes only. Since they had put away their childhood toys, a year or two ago (Elwin couldn''t remember) the room looked more grown up but also less friendly. What had possessed them to think that the dolls and animals and wind up musical bear that dances in a circle with a bee perched on its nose, were no good anymore?


    Prin was in his big bed, looking tiny in the center of it, with the blankets tucked around him and smoothed out. El didn''t know why he expected to find his friend already dead. No, he didn''t expect that! But why did it feel like he was already mourning him?


    As he walked toward the bed, something he had barely noticed started to register. Over top of the library smell that was usual, was something different a bitter herbal smell, almost like one of his father''s cooking experiments, but he wasn''t sure what the plant was he was smelling, and something metallic. Like ink? No, El had helped with the butchering enough in the kitchens to know what that smell was when he smelled it. Certainly not ink.


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    The prince was perfectly still with the covers pulled up to his chin. His black hair was matted with sweat and his skin was pale and clammy. His eyes were closed. There was a smear of red beside his mouth.


    El was frozen until he saw the rise and fall of the blanket. He was breathing.


    Elwin could have wept with relief. He hurriedly sat down beside him and put his hand on the blanket over the area that slowly rose and fell steady and even like clockwork.


    ¡°Prin?¡± He said, barely above a whisper. He pressed down, gently nudging his friend. ¡°Prin, it''s me. She''s gone. I don''t believe she''ll be coming back, It''s okay to wake up now.¡±


    Elwin paid no mind to what the witch had said about the three days of sleep, believing as he did that most adults, especially those in positions of power, were basically full of shit.


    But still, there was a possibility, he tried to remind himself, that he should be letting the prince sleep.


    Letting or no, Prin did not stir. The crescent moons of his dark eyelashes, did not move from their spots of rest on the tops of his pale cheeks. They looked like millipedes. Elwin almost laughed, the prince would not appreciate that comparison, he thought. Or maybe he would. El was almost giddy with the mix of relief and worry that was confusing his heart.


    Elwin rolled back the blanket, revealing Prin''s naked but unbruised or broken skin. He continued unveiling him, the feeling of relief growing more comfortable as he continued to see no discernable injuries. When he got to Prin''s hands there were some smears of red, but he couldn''t see any cuts to associate the blood with.


    ¡°You''re alright. Aren''t you?¡± El asked. ¡°I''ll be right back.¡±


    El covered him back up and went downstairs to fetch warm water, soap and rags as well as some cold water for drinking. It was a pain to slowly traverse the stairway with his hands full and not spill everything. He could understand why the serving staff did not particularly want to come up there.


    When he returned he pulled the covers down again and washed his friend. ¡°Are you sure you can''t wake up now?¡± he asked.


    Prin was pliant as a rag doll. Occasionally his eyes flicked back and forth beneath their lids.


    Elwin continued talking to him, keeping his voice even and low. Soothing he hoped. ¡°It just seemed like this was the right thing to do.¡± He said. ¡°And I had to do something, do you know what I mean? Do you ever feel like that? Like if you don''t do something, anything at all to help, you will just scream?¡± He washed the red from the prince''s hands, still seeing no scrapes or cuts. ¡°What have you been into? Will you tell me? When you wake up, can you tell me what that old witch did to you?¡± He squeezed his hand tightly in his own. ¡°I imagine you have been well and thoroughly drugged. . .¡±


    El swept the rest of the covers down out of the way. ¡°I know you can''t answer me. Don''t worry. Just dream sweetly until it all wears off.¡±


    Something was different about the prince''s legs. Of course, El should notice it, he had seen them a million times. He stood up abruptly and went to the foot of the bed. He touched the bottom of each of Prin''s feet. Weren''t they even with each other? The same length, and straight. Perfect. They seemed perfect.


    Elwin''s heart began to beat hard in his chest. What had the old woman done? Had she done something which was impossible? He touched Prin''s legs, gingerly at first, then with harder fingers, feeling the bone beneath the pale flesh. Strong and solid. ¡°I am sorry. Sorry for this, this, what do you call it, impertinence.¡± El laughed. He put his head in his hand. Had he underestimated her entirely?


    ¡°No, never mind it for right now.¡± El said. He went to the chest at the foot of Prin''s bed and pulled out a soft white night shirt. ¡°You will not believe this when you wake up. I can''t believe it myself.¡± He continued talking to his unconscious friend as he dressed him and tucked him back into bed. ¡°Maybe I''m drugged as well.¡± He waved his hand in the air. ¡°And none of this is real at all.¡±


    He got a glass of cold water and pressed it to the prince''s lips, tilting his head up and pouring a little water in his mouth as he had done for him in the past when he was really sick.


    Prin reflexively swallowed the water.


    ¡°Good, that''s good enough.¡± Elwin said, encouraged. He lay down beside his prince and put his head on the same pillow. After the bad night of sleep he had, it was easy to sleep the day away and part of the night.


    In the night, Elwin paced and read books by candle light. Some better parts he read aloud to the sleeping prince.


    The next day, he was biting his fingernails to the quick.


    He spoke to everyone he could think of about the predicament, but they all looked at him like he was crazy. Has it been three days? No? Then what are you worried about. Let the healing run its course. He even tried to gain audience with the king and queen but they would not allow him in.


    On the third day Elwin was beside himself. There had been no change in the prince. He still seemed to be sleeping deeply with no movement. Even this was out of the ordinary as a person asleep will generally toss and turn or at least change position. What if the old woman had healed him but cursed him to a forever sleep? No one said he had to be better, but also awake.


    He tried harsh smelling medicine that was used to bring people out of faints, but Prin did not even wrinkle his nose in his sleep. El even pricked his finger with a sewing needle, but on seeing the bright drop of blood was so regretful he almost cried. He kissed the finger until it stopped bleeding and apologized profusely. Was he losing his mind?


    Dolce came and tried to lure El into leaving Prin alone and doing something to distract himself. She brought him strong liquor to drink.


    Elwin tossed his sister back out the door but kept the liquor. A goblet full of that and he was too tired to stand vigil anymore. He fell into a fitful sleep by Prin''s unmoving side.


    The next morning, the forth since the prince had been asleep. Elwin woke up with a headache from too much drink. He took some quick swallows of water to try and drive it back.


    ¡°That liquor was a bad idea.¡± He told the prince. ¡°Well today is supposed to be the day. What do you want when you wake up? That almond cake with sugared flowers on top, you like that. Or chocolate pastries? Do you want some new books? I''ll take you to town myself to pick them out. You can ride piggy back. I don''t care what anyone thinks anymore, I truly don''t.¡± Elwin sat down beside him, and brushed the curls away from his forehead, at this point not expecting any response. ¡°They shouldn''t keep you in here like this. Forget about me moving up here, you can move in with me in the cottage. Mother and father are never even home, they would barely know you were there. You would like it I think, the neighbor has a baby girl who''s laughter fills the whole courtyard. Dolce might tease you a little, like she does me, but she means well mostly.¡± Elwin felt tears prickle his eyes. He could almost forget that he was not talking to a regular young man like himself, but to a prince, who''s life was not his own to do with as he pleased. If he even had a life left in him.


    El rested his ear against Prin''s chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart. ¡°I know you''re still alive but are you still in there? Are you still mine?¡± His cheeks burned at the question he himself had asked. What did he even mean by that? He was quiet for a long while. Despair creeping over him like a blanket meant to smother.


    He lifted his head from the heart beat that was no longer comforting and watched the prince''s still face. He looked carved in wax.


    ¡°Do you want to talk about dragons?¡± Elwin asked, barely able to drag his voice above a whisper.


    Prin''s eyelid''s twitched, and the curtains began to rise up over the brilliant blue sky of his eyes. ¡°Where did we leave off?¡± he wondered.

 Chapter Seven

    ¡°How does it feel?¡± El held the prince''s hands firmly in his, as they stood together face to face.


    ¡°It feels . . . wow.¡± Prin shuffled his feet on the stone floor. He laughed suddenly, the sound ringing from the walls. ¡°Wow. So strange.¡± His eyes like blue fire, burned into Elwin''s.


    The thoughts flew from Elwin''s head like paper birds as he stared into them holding onto those hands for dear life. ¡°I think you''re as tall, no, taller then me now.¡± He said, voice soft with wonder. He let go of one of his life preservers and flattened his hand on top of his head, then raised up to the top of Prin''s head. ¡°Yep, taller.¡±


    Prin leaned in and kissed his friend a quick peck on the mouth, followed by pecks to the checks and forehead. ¡°I''m happy!¡± He declared.


    Elwin dropped the other hand in shock and took a step backward. They had not kissed each other like that since they were very young and he was surprised by it.


    The prince''s legs buckled and he started to fall, as ungainly as a newly born foal.


    Elwin tried to catch him, but missed, and they both fell on their butts in the middle of the bedroom floor.


    The prince was laughing again.


    ¡°I''m sorry! I let go.¡± Elwin said earnestly. ¡°It''s all my fault.¡±


    ¡°No, I''m sorry!¡± Prin said. ¡°I''m just so happy! I had to kiss you. I''m so happy to see you!¡± His smile turned sheepish. ¡°Sorry.¡± he said again. ¡°It felt like it had been forever and I was missing you.¡±


    The sweetness hurt Elwin''s heart. ¡°How could you be sorry to me?¡± I''m the one who couldn''t be there when you needed me. I should have found a way. He tried to keep the negative thoughts in his own head and avoid saying them. ¡°You can kiss me any time.¡± He said, suddenly shy himself but determined not to let it be awkward between them. ¡°I guess it will take you a little longer to learn to walk then it takes a foal.¡± He added. ¡°We have time.¡±


    ¡°All the time in the world.¡± The prince agreed. He was still pale, and had shadows under each eye as deep and dark as caves, but the ear to ear smile made up for it somehow.


    ¡°Do your legs hurt at all?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°You haven''t had any medicine today, if they still hurt it''s okay to say it.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Prin shook his head. ¡°They don''t. But,¡± A troubled look passed his face briefly before he banished it away with what was clearly a strong act of will. He always had been stubborn.


    ¡°But?¡± Elwin prompted. He took one of the prince''s hands again. Was it okay if he never let it go?


    ¡°My stomach hurts.¡± Prin said reluctantly. ¡°I- it''s different from anything i''ve felt before.¡± He put his hand tightly over his belly.


    ¡°Oh! You haven''t eaten anything in days!¡± Elwin said. ¡°She said you would be hungry. And here I did nothing to prepare for it.¡± He shook his head at his own stupidity. ¡°What do you feel like having? I''ll get a feast and bring it up here!¡±


    ¡°I''m not sure if that''s it . . .¡± Prin said. ¡°She?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the old woman, the witch.¡± Elwin said. He stood up and reached down to pick up Prin. ¡°You''re heavier then you were! I don''t know how it''s possible, but it''s a good sign.¡± He sat Prin back on his bed. ¡°Don''t try to get up. I''m afraid you might fall. I''ll be back with lots of good things to eat, okay?¡±


    He hurried out the door, with Prin saying ¡°Old woman?¡± behind him.


    Elwin got a basket and began to raid the kitchen, filling it with bread and cheese, fruit, and every kind of sweet he could find. He second guessed his choices and added some vegetable beef stew that was simmering, feeling that perhaps Prin''s stomach would not be up to all these other things yet.


    The staff gave him funny looks but knew well enough to just get out of the way. He could sometimes take for granted the privilege he had, as someone so closely associated with one of the royals, even if it was the one everyone was forced to act like they had forgotten existed. They didn''t really forget.


    ¡°Who goes there?¡± Elwin''s mother stood in front of her son with her hands on her hips and a little smile on her face. ¡°Are you stealing from my kitchen? I was going to use that.¡± She wiped her hands on her stain covered apron, the same one El remembered burying his face in when he hugged her around the knees when she came home, once in a rarely, after a long day of work. He could tell that she was teasing him but didn''t really have time.


    ¡°I have to get this stuff to Prin-- The prince, he just woke up after a long time . . .¡± Elwin said, trying to get around her large form.


    ¡°Oh, he''s awake then! That''s nice.¡± His mom said. ¡°Dolce told me she was worried about you. If you need me to make anything specific, anything at all, I would be glad. Listen, Elwin, about the prince --¡±


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    ¡°You don''t need to worry about me. None of you do.¡± Elwin said firmly. ¡°Mom, the two of us are going to be just fine.¡± He gave her a pointed look that he hoped conveyed what he was trying to say. Please don''t try to drive a wedge between us, because it will never work. And you have no right. He hoped his look said all that because he didn''t think he had the guts to say it with words. But if he had to, if forced, he would say that and more.


    ¡°I think . . . I gave you to them when you were a toddler, just to make my own life easier. And this is the result of my folly.¡± Elwin''s mom tilted her head to the side, as though only considering this as one among many life choices. ¡°But don''t think it means they own you.¡± She gestured around herself, the royal they, the they that owned everything and every person currently bustling around them. ¡°You are your own man. You''re free, son. You''re free.¡±


    Elwin felt his chest tighten. What she had said was both heavy, and some how affirming. He wanted to hug her, because he knew exactly what she meant. And chose to take it that she was supporting him. But it had been too long since the last hug and it just didn''t seem like something they did anymore. ¡°I know mom. That''s why I''m doing exactly what I want to be doing.¡± He said.


    ¡°Well go on then, hurry up before the soup gets cold.¡± Elwin''s mom shooed him out of the kitchen.


    *


    Elwin bounded up the long stairs yet again. They were going to have to soon put this tower behind them once and for all. Especially with the prince walking now, and the beautiful difficulties there would be in that, until there weren''t.


    He was just so damn cute! El didn''t particularly try to stop himself from thinking it. He wondered idly if the prince thought HE was cute. Nah, there was just no way.


    When Elwin got to the bedroom door, he awkwardly juggled the foods in his hands in order to get the door open. ¡°I''m back!¡± He said cheerfully. ¡°Hopefully there''s something here that hits the spot.¡±


    The happy words dried up in his mouth when he saw that his prince was covered in blood.


    Prin was propped up against his pillows, his left arm and the lower half of his face smeared with the red stuff. His eyes were closed, but opened slowly and they had a strange sheen to them. Like a cat''s eyes in the darkness, they had caught a reflection from somewhere and glowed. There was no recognition there, at first, and he bared his blood stained teeth at his friend.


    Elwin dropped the stuff on the floor and ran to his side. ¡°What happened!? What have you done!?¡± He took Prin''s arm that was bleeding freely where he had bitten it.


    As though the cat had it''s leg in a trap. But there was nothing holding him. Nothing keeping him from escaping. Not anymore, anyway.


    ¡°Oh no, no, this is bad.¡± Elwin fussed. ¡°Why did you do it? I should get the doctor. I can''t leave you alone. Did you hallucinate? That must be it. Do you know who I am?¡± He tore his eyes from the bite wound and met Prin''s.


    Prin''s pupil''s widened, from the pinprick they had been, and began to fill with water. ¡°It hurts.¡± He said in a creaky voice. His lower lip quivered and a couple of fat tears rolled through the red mess on his face.


    ¡°I know it does.¡± Elwin said softly. ¡°Hold it close.¡± He pressed the prince''s arm into his chest and got up to get first aid supplies from the cabinet in the corner. Luckily they were not in short supply, having been stocked up from the number of other more mundane mishaps over the years.


    He pulled out the bandages and salve. ¡°It''s okay, it''s not your fault. I''ll get you some medicine.¡± He mixed up the pain and fever relieving powder into some water. He tried to keep a cool head. It was a strange thing to walk into, certainly, but people with fevers did strange things. He must have a fever.


    ¡°I didn''t mean my arm. . .¡± the prince said.


    ¡°It''s just a little set back. No big deal.¡± Elwin said forcefully. ¡°Remember your strong legs? Let''s focus on that.¡±


    ¡°I''m not strong.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°They''ll get stronger. You have to learn to use them is all.¡± Elwin assured. He sat down beside Prin and cleaned his arm. ¡°It''s okay. Shh shh.¡± He hummed a little tune that nanny used to sing to them while he applied the salve and bandage.


    Elwin washed his face and held the medicine up for him to sip it. ¡°Want a little soup?¡±


    ¡°O-kay.¡± Prin said. All trace of his earlier cheer had drained away and he seemed dejected, going through the motions.


    Elwin kissed his cheek. ¡°Don''t worry. You will get much stronger, I can feel it. And when that happens I''m going to get you out of this stupid tower. You''ll be so well that you''ll actually get bored and I''ll have to teach you how to work in the kitchens.¡± he teased. The prince''s cheek felt cold under his lips, not hot like he would have expected.


    Elwin fed him a few bites of soup that he didn''t seem to have much enthusiasm for and he fell asleep half way in the middle of.


    That''s alright, he may be hungry again when he wakes up. Elwin arranged the foods on the small table so he could see what all there was to choose from when he woke up.


    Elwin considered that this may be a good time to sneak out and get the doctor after all, but he was afraid to leave. Also, had the castle physician ever done them much good in the past? El figured he was as much of a doctor himself as that man, by this point. Still, the arm wound had been pretty bad, it might require stitches . . .


    As luck would have it, one of the cleaning staff, a young woman with a rather sour expression on her face, chose that moment to come in to straighten up and empty the chamber pot, etc.


    ¡°Oh good!¡± Elwin smiled at her.


    The girl''s face flushed bright red, for some reason. But never mind that, there wasn''t really time for El to waste wondering about it.


    ¡°What''s so good?¡± She asked. She was carrying a bucket along with her basket of cleaning supplies. Her long dark hair was pulled into a bun and she seemed long suffering, but had perked up a little when he spoke to her.


    ¡°Oh just, nothing, nothing really.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Just glad you''re here. Or someone''s here anyway. You can stay with him while I go fetch the doctor. There was a little accident. If you could just sit right here and don''t go anywhere?¡± He took her arm and guided her to the bottom corner of the bed. ¡°I would be so grateful! And hey, it will give you a chance to take a break, right?¡±


    Her expression showed the heights and depths of human emotion. Glad I''m here? Happy. Stay in this creepy room? Wary. Disappointed. Touched my arm? Happy again. Sit on the bed? Very Unsure about this. Take a break and maybe eat a snack from that table? Hmm. Cautiously optimistic.


    Elwin laughed. It was like he could read her mind from just looking at her face. ¡°He won''t bite.¡± He teased. ¡°Just be here in case he needs you to hand him anything, or whatever? I''ll be back as soon as I can.¡±


    He was still shaking his head as he left the room and headed downstairs. Was it his imagination, or were girls weird?

 Chapter Eight

    Elwin was winding down an exhaustive search of the castle, and he was mad about it. For one, why did the castle have to be so big and two, why was there no doctor in attendance? Maybe it was his day off but no one acted like they had even heard of such a person. By the look on half of their faces, even the word doctor could have been a foreign one. What was supposed to be done if a terrible accident had occurred?


    One of the guards had offered to send someone into town to fetch one (nice of him considering all they do is stand around all day and gossip with each other), but Elwin told him not to bother. He supposed maybe he had built the injury up to more then what it was in his head after all. Or at least he could see how it was looking tomorrow and make a decision from there.


    Maybe he actually should become a doctor, they certainly seemed to be in short supply.


    By the time he turned back to the long tower staircase, he was sorry he had been gone for so long on his fruitless search, and anxious to get back to his prince.


    Elwin considered himself to be in pretty good physical shape, but the combination between rocky sleep, the hangover, and going up and down the steep stairway more times then usual, had him feeling winded by the time he got to the top of the stair case. So, he stopped to lean against the wall for a moment and catch his breath outside of the prince''s room.


    If he hadn''t been so still, with nothing for company besides his own fast beating heart, he might not have heard it at all through the thick door. What was that strange sound? At first he thought it was heavy breathing? Snoring? No, that wasn''t quite right, it sounded more like a dog lapping at it''s water, or gnawing on something. Elwin frowned, his eyebrow''s going together in concentration, but nothing became clearer. Maybe they should get a dog? Maybe he had dogs on the mind.


    Elwin pushed the door open, he hadn''t fully closed it when he left. ¡°I didn''t have any lu-¡± The word luck died in his mouth, and he froze. This must be what a statue feels like. This thought and many other random ones went through his mind uncontrollably and all at once. But the attempt to run away through some kind of internal chamber escape route, failed and he came back suddenly to the scene before him.


    If he thought he had seen a lot of blood before, he had been kidding himself.


    The young woman Elwin had left here earlier, at least he believed it must be her, was nothing now. The flesh had been mostly torn away, leaving bones like sticks coated red, except for one hand and arm and her head, with the hair having come lose and wild, hanging off the side of the bed and brushing the floor . If she had tried to escape at all, she hadn''t gotten far. Her face was too bloodied to make out an expression. Had she been scared? Hopefully not for long.


    Elwin stepped forward slowly as though in a dream.


    There was a terrible series of cracks and wet wrenching noises as he approached.


    His sweet prince, having gotten what he could reach from the surface of his meal, was rooting around the inside of her chest. And he didn''t look up from his feast even when Elwin was close enough to touch.


    ¡°Stop.¡± Elwin said. He marveled at the mildness of his own voice. Not even raised. Shouldn''t he be panicked? A drop of blood hit his hand and he felt scorched by it. ¡°Stop.¡± A little more forceful the second time. He reached out and touched Prin''s shoulder. Something noted in the back of his mind, how damn stupid are you? But he barely heard it. He was focused on Prin.


    The prince lifted his head up to look at his friend, or, in the absence of recognition, you might say he looked up at this absolute idiot who dared to disturb his feast. Because the blue of his eyes, the blue of skies, of flower petals, of baby''s first blankets, the familiar friendly color, the pupilless expanse that spread from left to right uninhibited, showed only a creature who had no friends. A creature who had nothing but food, or not food, and that was all that mattered.


    He held the young woman''s heart in his mouth.


    Probably in shock, and had been since the moment he entered the room, Elwin didn''t move. Though he would maintain he was never once afraid of the prince, never had been, never would be, and wasn''t capable of the instinct, proper or no, there had to be a second, at least a split second, where his body filled with terror as the creature who was his best friend, lept off the bed at him. Didn''t there?


    *


    Elwin woke up on the floor a short time later (although you can''t tell time in oblivion), with a pounding headache and for a brief blissful moment he had no idea how he got there or what was going on.


    There was a metallic taste in his mouth. He licked his lips and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, smearing more blood onto his face then what was already there. He thought at first that the back of his head was bleeding, but reaching back it didn''t seem to be. Just a goose egg of a bump beginning to form. He say up slowly, the world moving in sea sick directions around him.


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    When he opened his eyes and they were able to focus, he was face to face with, well, this time she had no face, the bloodied skull of the woman.


    It all came back to him in a woosh more powerful then the head injury, although that wasn''t helping matters, and he grabbed the cleaning bucket conveniently near by and began throwing up. He considered screaming, but was a bit busy at the moment. He tried to take deep breaths but the smell of blood and worse things was so strong in the air, that even breathing just made him gag more.


    The one thing he didn''t consider doing, was running away. When he had control of himself a little better, or at least ran out of things to empty from his stomach, he got shakily to his feet and looked to see where the prince was.


    He was curled up on the bed fast asleep, and, aside from being covered practically head to toe with blood, seemed none the worse for wear. Physically anyway? Although it was impossible to tell for sure.


    Elwin locked the door. The bolt was so heavy and stiff from disuse that it was hard for him to do, but finally it managed to slide across and click with a satisfying sense of safety. Although to keep someone out, or to keep someone in?


    He didn''t know what to do next but decided the bandage needed to be ripped off. He couldn''t just let the prince sleep, even if it might put him in a better mood. He almost laughed at his own joke, as if what had just happened was some kind of bad mood tantrum. Still in shock clearly.


    ¡°Prin?¡± He said. He really hoped that this time the one who answered would be the one who knew him. ¡°Prin? Wake up.¡±


    The floor was slick with the still fresh blood, and Elwin started to fall. He caught himself with the table but this caused the bowl of soup to fall and shatter on the stone floor.


    The prince sat up suddenly, startled awake by the sound of breaking, where the calling of his name had done nothing. He gasped a sharp intake of breath and let it out in a loud scream. He continued screaming.


    ¡°Shhh, shhh, shhh, stop.¡± Elwin urged. If nothing else then for his poor aching head. He recovered himself and hurried to the prince''s side. ¡°Stop, don''t scream, what if someone hears? I doubt it, but we can''t take the chance.¡±


    Prin only screamed louder.


    Elwin had seen someone be slapped when they got hysterical like that but he couldn''t imagine himself doing it. He pressed his hand over Prin''s bloody mouth. ¡°I''m sorry, I''m sorry. Don''t scream.¡±


    The prince''s eyes were back to normal. Or, maybe not normal per say, as the fear widened pupil threatened to blot out the blue entirely in it''s desperate expansion.


    ¡°Are you done? Are you okay?¡± Elwin asked. He didn''t like this, it made him feel like a kidnapper.


    Prin''s chest rose rapidly and he was shaking. Elwin finally moved his hand in fear that he was stopping him from catching his breath.


    ¡°What do you remember about what happened?¡± Elwin asked. Somehow it would be better if he remembered nothing, but if that were the case how would Elwin explain it?


    ¡°The boy . . . tore his heart out of his chest and made me eat it . . . and the tigers in the tapestry don''t look like real tigers but how were we to know that? I don''t think I have a choice. I don''t think I have a choice. The boy said I had to eat it. And the fat little brother and sister. . . Why would he say that? And smashes my legs with hammers like when we were small . . .¡± The prince rambled, going in and out of coherency. Elwin was not sure some of the things he was saying were even real words. The whole time Prin''s eyes were glued to the woman''s skeleton. He went on for a while and when he finally stopped talking he threw up red chunks all over the bed.


    Elwin was glad he didn''t have anything more in his stomach at that point.


    ¡°I ate him.¡± The prince said.


    ¡°Yes. Well, her, but close enough.¡± Elwin was just glad he was lucid. ¡°That doesn''t mean we have to look at her anymore.¡± He moved Prin further up the bed and out of the way. ¡°Scootch up.¡± And used the top cover to wrap the woman''s remains in and move her to the floor.


    ¡°What have I done?¡± The prince asked.


    ¡°I think you already said.¡± Elwin said dryly.


    ¡°The sacrifices. This must be what he meant.¡± Prin said. ¡°Oh no, oh god. Should I kill myself. I think we''re high enough up here, that if I jumped. It would be quick? Just as long as it''s quick.¡± He clutched Elwin''s arm with both hands. His grip was strong.


    ¡°Don''t ever talk like that again. You don''t mean it. Promise me.¡± Elwin put his hand on the prince''s forehead. It didn''t feel hot. Just sticky. ¡°You aren''t in your senses right now. Are you injured anywhere?¡±


    ¡°Listen to yourself! I killed someone?¡± Prin said. His voice tipped over into a tearful squeak. ¡°I think you''re the one not in your senses!¡±


    Elwin pulled him into his arms, halfway on his lap. He tried to cover him up completely with his embrace. ¡°You didn''t mean it. You didn''t mean it.¡± He pressed the prince''s head into his shoulder. ¡°Shh Shh.¡±


    The prince''s body was tensed up in his arms, but he held on to him, and gradually he relaxed against Elwin, his breathing becoming more even.


    ¡°It wasn''t you.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I disagree.¡± Prin said, voice muffled by El''s shoulder.


    ¡°Do you-- Do you remember doing it?¡± Elwin asked. He patted the prince''s back rhythmically, but it''s unclear who he was trying to soothe, the prince or himself. ¡°No, never mind. Don''t think about it. Never mind.¡±


    ¡°What if it happens again?¡± The prince asked, muffled voice sounding tired now, with all the weight of the world bearing down.


    ¡°What if it doesn''t?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°Maybe, look, maybe it is like a life for a life. You got your own life, your health, but in exchange someone else had to lose theirs?¡± In his head this made sense, it seemed like the sort of thing a witch would do. You get the healing, but there is a catch. It couldn''t come without a catch, Elwin decided. ¡°It was the old witch''s fault. Not yours.¡±


    ¡°What old witch?¡± the prince asked drowsily.


    Elwin took this as proof that his friend still wasn''t in his right mind. But who could blame him, under the circumstances? ¡°You need your rest.¡± He urged. ¡°You, sleep, and let me . . .¡± he almost said clean up but didn''t want to put too fine a point on it. ¡°Let me take care of things.¡±


    ¡°You have always taken care of me.¡± the prince said.


    ¡°I try my best, even though it isn''t always good enough.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I love you.¡± It was something, though understood between them, he thought, it was not explicitly said. So it felt funny saying it now. Just as well the prince was not awake to hear it.


    Elwin carefully untangled himself from Prin and tucked him into the bed.


    A figure all in red.

 Chapter Nine

    If anything, after all that transpired, Elwin felt more protective over the prince, not less. But looking around the room he really just wanted to crawl in beside him and go to bed himself.


    Blood was everywhere. Even without the top cover of the bed, that had absorbed a lot of the mess, the stone floor, as well as the remaining bedding was liberally smeared, even puddled with blood and chunks of flesh one would rather not closely identify.


    Was it even possible to clean this up? Would someone come looking for the woman? If so, how soon? As the weight of the nightmare at hand began to settle in around him, Elwin paced the floor. His every instinct was screaming at him, get rid of the body! Clean up the mess! But that was easier said then done. They were at the top of a steep stairway with only the one entrance and exit, as far as Elwin knew, unless you counted the window in the other room. Could the body be thrown out in the middle of the night? Someone would still have to get rid of it once it hit the bottom.


    Then what would they do? Just continue on like nothing had ever happened? What kind of liar was Prin? Probably a bad one. Elwin had not known him to ever lie but, even when they were children and tried to fib to nanny about some small thing or another, the prince''s face would usually give away the game. So if someone asked about the woman . . . what would he say?


    Elwin put his still throbbing head in his hands. Okay, just take it one step at a time. What was the first step? Well, he needed water and cleaning products.


    There were a few rags and a small jug of something used for cleaning, that the young woman had brought upstairs with her. As well as a small quantity of clean drinking water. And the dirty (but all things considering, not too bad) water and rags he had used to clean the prince up earlier after his injury, was still sitting there. This was at least something, though it seemed like a drop of water in the ocean compared to what was needed.


    What was needed was more like the entire ocean, Elwin thought wryly.


    Elwin picked up a rag and the jug of cleaner, which smelled like vinegar (yet another scent to add to the stomach churning tapestry), and went to the broken bowl first. He picked up the pieces carefully and put them in the bucket, and scooped up the spilled soup as well. He shook some cleaner out on a couple of the worse spots of blood.


    Passing by the woman, wrapped up and hidden away in her colorful shroud, he paused. ¡°Don''t blame Prin. It''s all my fault for leaving you alone.¡± He said. ¡°I should have been here to stop it.¡± He laughed, a little nervous gallows humor that. He doubted he would have been qualified to stop anything. But maybe she could have run and gotten help while the prince was eating him instead. The thought didn''t bother him as much as one might think.


    Until he thought of what might happen to Prin afterward. He would be trading his life in the tower for a tiny cell way below, in the underground area of the castle. His parents finally writing him off as ¡°dead¡± for all practical purposes. Or maybe if the wrong person had walked in on him with his meal, and the cover up was rendered impossible, he could be burned at the stake, as any proper monster would be. Elwin shivered. Other longshot possibility being, the king does whatever it takes to cover for him. This didn''t seem like something he would do for his misbegotten eldest, but one never knew.


    If he only knew him like Elwin did.


    ¡°I am sorry, anyway. For what little it''s worth.¡± He told what was left of the woman. Still, no matter how sorry he was, getting rid of any trace of her was the only way forward he could see.


    Elwin was dizzy, the up and down motion of cleaning combined with the headache had taken it''s toll, and he couldn''t stay upright much longer. He sat down hard on the bed with a sigh. If he could only rest for just a few moments, he could go back at the cleaning with renewed vigor.


    Prin had turned over on his side, and Elwin seized the opportunity to lay down beside him with his head on the same pillow, face pressed into Prin''s shoulder. This way he would know if the prince got up. With that thought, Elwin was dead to the world.


    *


    When Elwin woke up there was a chill in the air, a cold breeze was blowing down from the high window, and he was in the bed alone. He heard strange noises again, like a wet scraping noise, and had the terror of instant flashback to the sounds of eating raw flesh. His eyes shot open in a hurry.


    At first he saw nothing, the light was dimmer in the room, and the candles not yet lit. Then he saw the prince, sitting on the floor and scrubbing it with a rag.


    All looked pretty much the same as when Elwin had closed his eyes. Except for a couple of key details; the floor was looking a lot cleaner, mostly clean in fact, except for perhaps some dark areas where only the drying of the water would reveal if any blood remained, and the cabinet was open with some things pulled out on the floor in front of it, as well as some books pulled off the shelf in a neat stack.


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    ¡°Good morning.¡± Prin said. ¡°Or should I say good evening?¡±


    ¡°How long did I sleep?¡± Elwin wondered.


    ¡°A long time. Don''t worry, it''s still the same day.¡± Prin assured, reading his friend''s mind.


    ¡°Oh my gods.¡± Elwin sat up in bed, getting an immediate head rush. ¡°I''m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It''s okay, it''s okay!¡± The prince held up his hand. ¡°You seemed like you really needed it.¡± His hands were the only things that were clean, the rest of him still covered with the sticky, mostly dried blood. It couldn''t have been comfortable.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Elwin had to close his eyes again, just until the room stopped spinning.


    ¡°I''m not sure.¡± Prin said thoughtfully, as though it were the deepest question of his life. ¡°I just thought the best thing to do while I''m trying to figure that out, is to clean up in here. It only seemed right.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what about your arm! Your injury. You probably shouldn''t be doing that, and besides . . .¡± Elwin didn''t want to cause offense, but did Prin even know how to clean? It''s amazing that the thought had even crossed his mind.


    ¡°It''s like I needed something to do with this excess nervous energy.¡± The prince said. ¡°I woke up and wasn''t a bit tired any more.¡±


    Elwin opened his eyes again, slower this time. ¡°The last thing we need is for you to injure yourself further.¡± Maybe the last thing they needed was actually for him to eat someone, but since they had already crossed that particular bridge, further injury was right up there on the list.


    ¡°I feel okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°The marvel is, I feel better then okay.¡± He was smiling, even though tears were rolling down his face. ¡°It''s not really right of me, is it. To profit off of what I did.¡±


    Elwin wanted to pick him up and hug him, and make everything alright forever. The instinct was strong. It''s too bad that last part wasn''t within his capabilities.


    Elwin got up, moving gingerly, and went to the middle of the floor where Prin was sitting. He reached down to him and took his hands. ¡°That''s enough of that.¡± He wasn''t sure himself whether he meant the cleaning, or the crying. Probably both. He helped the prince into a standing position.


    ¡°How are your lungs?¡± He asked.


    The prince held on to him, his legs wobbling a bit as he straightened them. He took a deep breath and his tearful blue eyes met Elwin''s brown ones earnestly. ¡°I''ve¡ªnever been able to do that before!¡±


    Elwin felt a smile tugging at the corners of his lips that he had to force himself to hold back. ¡°How about your arm?¡± he asked.


    Prin looked at the bandage on his forearm, filthy and bedraggled but still in place. ¡°Doesn''t even hurt!¡±


    ¡°Legs?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Good! But shaky, I don''t trust them? I think it is a coordination issue since they don''t hurt at all and should be sturdy.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Your head?¡± Elwin wondered. He stopped holding back the smile and it spread across his face like good jam on a biscuit.


    ¡°Solid as a rock.¡± Prin teased. He was smiling too.


    ¡°Stomach?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°It doesn''t hurt.¡± the prince said. He let go of one of Elwin''s hands and put his hand over his belly. ¡°Not anymore.¡± His face grew solemn again. ¡°But I can''t get it out of my mind, the way it did feel. When it wasn''t full. It''s haunting me.¡±


    ¡°Never mind it.¡± Elwin said dismissively. He couldn''t think of anything to say, so would prefer they just both didn''t think about it. The hunger.


    He picked up Prin and carried him over to the bed. He was still thin as can be, with his arms and legs looking like there was nothing between the skin and the bones, but he definitely was noticeably heavier! He thought maybe even more so then he had been yesterday. Nothing Elwin couldn''t handle for sure, but still. He plopped the prince down on the bed. He brushed a clump of Prin''s matted hair away from his face. ¡°We just have to keep moving forward. Like we''ve always done, right?¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± the prince said.


    ¡°You didn''t want any of this to happen. You didn''t ask for it. You shouldn''t beat yourself up about it.¡± Elwin said. He realized with a pang that he was rapidly becoming more excited about Prin''s apparent wellness then he was upset about the death of the young woman they hadn''t even really known. Did that make him a psychopath? It was a little concerning he had to admit, but on the other hand . . .?


    ¡°That''s true.¡± The prince agreed. ¡°Even though I don''t remember everything that happened, I know I didn''t want this. That''s why I have to leave here quickly. Before the boy has too much chance to get away. If I let him get too far ahead, I might never catch up. I have to make him take it back.¡±


    Elwin blinked, this was a startling new development. ¡°That didn''t even occur to me. Wait, what boy? Are you sure your head is solid?¡±


    ¡°What boy?!¡± the prince squeaked. ¡°My mind is as clear as crystal, you are the one with a head injury.¡± He gave Elwin a sheepish look. ¡°I think, did I push you? I am sorry for that.¡±


    ¡°No need to apologize, it will be all better soon anyway.¡± Elwin said dismissively. ¡°However, there is no boy of which you speak. That''s what I mean by, what boy.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it was a girl after all.¡± Prin conceded, ¡°I couldn''t be sure.¡±


    Elwin narrowed his eyes in concern. ¡°You''ve lost me.¡±


    ¡°The healer. Or so called healer.¡± The prince urged. ¡°Did you not see them?¡±


    ¡°I saw an old woman, who was the oldest woman anyone has ever seen. By saying boy or girl, I feel like you''re implying youth, and believe me when I say, she was no youth.¡±


    Prin tilted his head to the side. ¡°Shape shifter.¡± He concluded. His eyes sparkled, for a moment delighted by the awe soaked possibilities, before the fact that this was reality came crashing back down on his head. ¡°That will make him so much harder to find. Who''s to say which one is real? If either.¡±


    Elwin shook his head. He remembered the smell in the room when he had entered and, rather then an actual shapeshifter from a fairy tale, it was a lot more likely that the envisioned boy was just a hallucination brought on by the witch''s drugging. However, Prin seemed very sure of himself, and Elwin didn''t want to argue.


    ¡°So that''s your plan? We take off, and just leave here?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°I didn''t say we.¡±

 Chapter Ten

    Prin gave him a look, inscrutable, ¡°I would never expect you to run away from home with me. It might be a really hard journey!¡± He glanced toward the bookshelves, as though imaging all of the perilous adventures contained therein. ¡°I could never want you to do that. Besides, it''s probably a fool''s errand, and if it doesn''t work out it will be easier for me to head for the nearest window without you there.¡±


    ¡°Don''t ever say things like that, please.¡± Elwin pleaded. ¡°It scares me. I''m going to think I can never look away from you again or you might do something to yourself.¡± He pulled the prince into a hug. He was getting hugged whether he liked it or not. ¡°Don''t you know whatever we do we''re in it together? You couldn''t stop me from tagging along, so don''t try.¡± He teased.


    ¡°We might never be coming back.¡± Prin said into his shoulder. ¡°Never.¡±


    ¡°If . . . that''s the way it turns out then, okay.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It doesn''t matter to me. What do I have holding me here?¡±


    ¡°Your parents.¡± Prin pointed out. ¡°Won''t they be upset if you go away?¡±


    ¡°You have parents too.¡± Elwin said.


    The prince pulled back out of his arms and gave him a look. ¡°Do I really?¡±


    Elwin couldn''t help but laugh. Everything was happening so quickly. He felt strange. ¡°They did spend a lot of money trying to help you.¡± He pointed out.


    ¡°Okay, fair enough.¡± Prin said. ¡°But I don''t care about that. It didn''t mean much to them, I''m sure they have more where that came from. Plus, don''t you think they will be a little relieved if I just disappeared? In all seriousness? I didn''t tell you how my father talked to me . . .¡±


    ¡°We have a couple of things to figure out.¡± Elwin said. ¡°This is like a puzzle, we''re gonna need you to use that solid head of yours to it''s fullest potential.¡± He deliberately interrupted, figuring they didn''t have a lot of time and energy to wallow in self pity, more then what had already been expended. ¡°But first, the easiest part. Maybe. We have to figure out how to get some water up here so you can take a bath.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank god.¡± Prin said. He scratched his arms, brown flakes of dry blood going into the air like pollen. ¡°I didn''t want to scratch like a dog with fleas but I''m so itchy.¡± He gave Elwin a pleading look. ¡°And I can''t go anywhere like this!¡±


    Elwin laughed. ¡°Not to worry. We''ll just do it like we always do. Start a fire. Bring up buckets of water to warm in the cauldron over the fire and dump out in the tub? Only I''ll be doing all the carrying by myself.¡± He made a rueful face, but smiled, to show he was only joking, that it would be no problem at all.


    ¡°How about we tell people that I am contagious? They can help you carry the buckets but leave them in the hall. I dare say, they won''t question it too much since no one wants to come in here anyway. In fact, you don''t even have to tell them that much. Just tell them to set the buckets in the hall and they won''t ask questions I bet.¡±


    ¡°If they ask if we saw the woman, I think we should act like we didn''t even see her.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin chewed on his lower lip. ¡°No, no, that''s . . . People might have seen her come up here. Don''t bring it up but if asked just say, yes, she came up and did some light cleaning, didn''t stay long. Why do you ask? Oh missing, well, maybe she went home.¡± He said. ¡°Or something? Some people come to work in the castle but don''t take to it, so they don''t end up staying long, right?¡±


    Elwin nodded. ¡°Right, sure.¡± Wouldn''t alarm bells ring when she failed to pick up her pay? Even if they abruptly quit, most people wouldn''t do that. Hopefully they would be gone already by that point.


    *


    Keeping people out of the room proved to be no problem, as predicted, and soon enough the prince was soaking in a tub in front of the fireplace. One could almost blink and think things were normal again. Almost.


    ¡°This stuff is hard to get off once it''s dried.¡± the prince mused. He scrubbed at the brownish red stain on his arm. ¡°Remind me of that in future.¡±


    ¡°Do you need some help?¡± Elwin asked. In the past he typically would have helped, at least with difficult to reach areas, like his hair. But Prin was already so much stronger than he was before. It was like seeing a miracle before his eyes (enough so that he could overlook comments such as ones that implyed there would be a lot more blood in their future. Elwin just chose not to think about that one right now).


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    ¡°No thank you.¡± Prin said. He dunked down into the water and sat back up with his dark curls streaming water down his back. It had been a while since he had a trim, and the hair was falling to mid back when it was wet like this. ¡°I think I have it. What''s on the list so far?¡±


    ¡°Lets see.¡± Elwin looked at the piece of paper with his own bad handwriting declared across it. ¡°Maps, medicine just in case, bandages, a good sharp knife, bowls, cups, spoons. Already the list seems long, are you sure we need all of these things?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes.¡± Prin said confidently. ¡°Those are all things that people have needed in my books. And they sometimes had to do without, which wasn''t a good thing! We need to be prepared.¡±


    Elwin nodded. He was a little distracted by the curve of the prince''s back and shoulders sticking up out of the tub. And had he always had such a pretty neck? It was nice to at least focus on something pleasant, even if it was making him feel the heat of embarrassment in his cheeks. He shook his head, trying to shake himself out of it.


    ¡°A compass.¡± Prin said. ¡°Put that on the list. And a couple of water skins, if we can get them. We want to keep well hydrated.¡±


    Elwin wrote them down with his pencil. He had nothing to add yet himself, that Prin wasn''t bound to think of in a moment.


    ¡°Good boots.¡± The prince added. ¡°Oh no! I haven''t any shoes at all. Except for slippers. What will I do?¡± He turned around in the tub to look at Elwin.


    ¡°We''ll figure something out.¡± Elwin assured. ¡°Be careful there, don''t get your injured arm all wet.¡±


    Prin looked at his arm with the bedraggled bandage on it, as if it had totally slipped his mind that there was even an injury there. ¡°It''s already ruined, I don''t see what it matters to get it wet.¡±


    ¡°We should have a look at that.¡± Elwin sat his paper and pencil down on the desk and got out some fresh bandages and ointment. He knelt beside the tub and reached out for the prince''s arm.


    Prin obediently handed it over. ¡°Honestly, it doesn''t hurt.¡±


    Elwin held his arm and gingerly unwrapped the bandage, flinching on Prin''s behalf, although the other boy didn''t flinch at all. It looked better then expected. The roughly half moon shape of the bite mark was still raw but not bleeding. ¡°How could this not hurt?¡± he wondered. He got a sudden flash of worry and poked Prin''s arm. ¡°Can you feel that?¡±


    The prince''s arm jerked, and he made a face. ¡°Well, yeah, if you do that it hurts. I was trying to be tough.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Elwin asked. He blew on the wound, even though he wasn''t sure why. It was something nanny used to do.


    ¡°And you ruined it.¡± The prince said. He gave Elwin an impish look as he looked up at him in surprise.


    Prin took his arm back and scooted to the far side of the round tub. ¡°Get in! It might be the last bath for a while.¡± He enticed. ¡°Hurry up, while the water''s still hot.¡±


    Elwin stood up and backed away. ¡°No. No, I don''t think I should.¡± He really felt hot in the face this time, and knew he must be turning bright red, the thought of it made him turn even redder still. ¡°It''s a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°Remember when we were little, and we always used to take a bath together?¡± the prince asked. ¡°And play pirates, remember?¡± he laughed at the memory.


    Maybe he hadn''t noticed the color of Elwin''s face in the dim light from the fire and a few candles on the side table (at this point it was fully dark outside). ¡°I do.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°You can be the captain!¡± Prin teased.


    ¡°There isn''t room anymore for two.¡± Elwin protested. ¡°We''re grown up now.¡± Please don''t push me on this any further, he pleaded silently.


    ¡°Oh . . . okay.¡± the prince said. ¡°I guess I''m done then.¡±


    Elwin rushed to his side with the oversized bath towel that he always wrapped him up in. Only, this time, he tried to help him out of the tub without even looking at his naked body. Not like he hadn''t seen it before a hundred times. But now there was an awkwardness in the air between them.


    Still, he hugged him close and then patted the water off of him with the towel.


    ¡°I wasn''t going to ask for help.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I know, but that''s silly.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I don''t want you to fall.¡± He picked him up and sat him down on the bed. ¡°Can I rebandage your arm?¡±


    The prince held the towel around his torso, allowing his legs, bare from the knees down, and feet to dangle over the edge of the bed. He untucked his arm from inside the towel and presented it wordlessly.


    Elwin took his arm and applied salve, with the lightest touch he could manage, to the moon shaped mark. He thought to turn the arm over and there was a similar mark on the other side. He applied salve to that one too. ¡°You really did a number on yourself.¡± He mumbled.


    As he was wrapping the arm with white gauze bandages, he felt breath on his face.


    Prin had leaned in close, so that when Elwin looked up at him, their eyes met from a distance of only a couple of inches apart. ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± Prin asked.


    Lost in blue, Elwin thought that was the most absurd question he had ever heard in his life. ¡°Course not.¡± He said.


    ¡°You probably ¨C definitely ¨C should be.¡± the prince said. ¡°I know we have been friends for a long time, but it''s okay to have a little self preservation.¡± He gave Elwin a sad lopsided smile. ¡°No one would blame you, least of all me.¡±


    ¡°If you don''t know we''re much more then friends . . .¡± Elwin was not sure if they were on the same page or in completely different chapters of the book. Or if perhaps, the prince''s book barely had mention of him at all. Maybe a tiny footnote in the acknowledgements section. But right now their two faces were just so close.


    Elwin closed the gap slowly, until their lips were almost touching and their eyelashes intertwined. He gave his so called friend enough time to back away, but he didn''t. He didn''t even close his eyes. Their eyes were wide, as though trying to devour each other.


    Elwin had no idea what he was doing, but he tried to push the thought away, relegating it to a small unheeded corner of his mind. They would just have to figure it out together like they had always done.


    The prince reached for Elwin, the unfastened bandage on his arm trailing, as though he would pull him closer. Not that there was much closer to get.


    Then, as if a nightmare come to life, the heavy antique doorknob turned.

 Chapter Eleven

    The door rattled in its frame, held at bay by the thick bolt, which luckily Elwin had remembered to put into place.


    His stomach dropped through the floor, and he felt like throwing up again. There was no time for that.


    The prince and Elwin, turned to look at the blanket wrapped body in the corner of the room, so in tandem that it would have been impossible to tell who had looked away first.


    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°I don''t know.¡± Elwin whispered. He went to the cabinet and pulled out a few more things onto the floor hurriedly, but it was clear there wouldn''t be room for a whole body on the shelves. He whirled around in a circle of confusion.


    Pound, pound, pound, came from the door, and it shook in response to the knocking.


    ¡°Under the bed?¡± Prin suggested. He started to get up and come help.


    ¡°No, stay there.¡± Elwin whispered. Holding out a hand in protest.


    He drug the blanket wrapped body over to the bed and started shoving it out of sight under the bed. He made a face at Prin, which he hoped conveyed both, I dont know if this is going to work, and this is taking forever isn''t it, do you think whoever it is will go away and come back with reinforcements? At least he sure hoped it wasn''t taking as long as it felt like it was taking.


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing in there!?¡± A familiar abrasive voice called out through the door.


    ¡°How much do you trust your sister?¡± Prin asked softly.


    ¡°Just don''t,¡± Elwin motioned toward what was hidden in the dark recess under the bed. ¡°Don''t say anything about that.¡± He put his finger to his lips. ¡°Shh.¡±


    The prince nodded in agreement, mimicking Elwin''s gesture. ¡°Shh.¡±


    Dolce pounded on the door again. ¡°You have me worried. Open up!¡±


    ¡°I''m coming!¡± Elwin said. ¡°Keep yourself together, you''re waking the dead!¡± He made a face at Prin over his shoulder, aghast at his own poor choice of words. He wiggled the bolt loose and slid it open. ¡°Happy now?¡± He asked.


    Dolce stood with her arms crossed over her chest. Although the pouty glare she gave Elwin, intended probably to make her look mean, just reminded him of her toddler self when she wanted to go somewhere with him and he wouldn''t take her. He almost laughed.


    She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. ¡°Am I interrupting something, or what?¡±


    ¡°I was taking a bath.¡± Prin said. He swung his legs casually back and forth.


    In Elwin''s paranoid mind, he worried the movement of his legs would draw too much attention to under the bed, being as his feet were pointing right at it. He bit his lip.


    ¡°Ooooh, I thought maybe you and him.¡± Dolce smiled slyly, pointing with her thumb from one to the other.


    The prince tilted his head to the side. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Elwin just loved his innocent sweet face. ¡°What do you want, Dolce?¡±


    Dolce ignored her brother. She pounded some mud off her shoes on the door frame and went inside. Immediately her hand shot up to her nose. ¡°Good gods, what''s that smell?¡±


    ¡°What smell?¡± Elwin said quickly, panicked.


    ¡°It''s all my fault.¡± Prin said at the same time. ¡°I was very sick yesterday, but I''m okay now.¡± He continued swinging his legs rhythmically.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Dolce said. ¡°Well it smells worse than the meat market in here. Better leave the door open and let it air.¡±


    ¡°He''s covering for me.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It was me who was sick all over the place. It was that stupid liquor you gave me, Dolce.¡± He sat down beside Prin and nudged his knee with his own, hoping he would take the hint and calm the nervous motion of his legs.


    Prin''s legs stopped moving, and he leaned into Elwin, resting his head on his shoulder.


    ¡°You weren''t supposed to drink the whole thing at once, idiot!¡± Dolce said. She looked around the room. Though cleaner, the general sense of disarray made it more then obvious something out of the ordinary was going on.


    Many of the items from the storage cabinet were out on the floor, as well as stale food sitting on the table, books out of place, the familiar top cover missing from the bed. Elwin had no doubt that none of these differences were things his sister failed to notice. Even as rare as her visits upstairs had been of late.


    However, the place where her eyes finally landed and ceased their wandering was on the prince himself. Dolce stepped over to the bed and looked him up and down. She put her hand on the top of his head, as though taking measurements. Finally she sat down on the other side of him.


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    ¡°Kid, you look great. What''s your secret?¡± Dolce winked at him. She took his hand and examined it, turning it over to examine the palm likewise.


    ¡°Secret?¡± Prin asked. He never could exactly make heads or tails of Dolce, and had told her brother as much in the past. Though he liked her well enough, even without understanding her one little bit.


    ¡°I''m not kidding. You have roses in your cheeks and your eyes seem, I don''t even know how to describe it? Sparkly? Lively?¡± Dolce laughed at herself. ¡°I mean, that three day beauty sleep must have really done you well! I kid, I kid. I know there was an old doctor woman, or whatever she was. Alls I know is they should have kept her on a retainer no matter how much she cost, ''cause she obviously does good work!¡±


    ¡°So she''s long gone then, I thought as much.¡± the prince said. ¡°You didn''t see which way she went did you?¡± He picked at the fibers in the towel he was still wrapped up in.


    ¡°Well, by sea I figure.¡± Dolce said. ¡°The mountain passage is too dangerous, especially for an old woman. What does it matter though?¡± She was still looking at Prin as though he were a knot to untangle, a broken bowl to piece back together in just the right way. ¡°It''s a damn miracle isn''t it? I can''t even believe it.¡± She smiled at her brother in congratulations. ¡°I''m sorry for what I said the other day. But you, you understand, what I was trying to ¨C What I meant by it. But I was wrong, and I admit it.¡±


    ¡°I''m not mad at you.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It was forgotten already.¡±


    ¡°There IS a secret.¡± Prin said. ¡°The cure has terrible side effects. I can''t keep it.¡± He gave Dolce an earnest look. ¡°I have to find him¡ªher, and make her take it back.¡±


    Dolce narrowed her eyes in concern. ¡°What could it possibly be? How could it be worse than what you were going through already?¡± She put her hand on his chest. ¡°I know what the big difference is, you''re not even wheezing for breath! Every time I saw you before you would be wheezing or coughing or something like that. What could be so bad that it''s worse than not being able to breath?¡±


    She was looking so serious and genuine in her concern, that Elwin almost caved and told her the whole thing. It would have been nice to have another solid head to put on the case. If two heads are better than one, three must be still better yet. However, this was his baby sister here, and he didn''t want to involve her in something so foul as this. It was one thing for him to try and conceal a murder, which is essentially what he was doing, and quite another thing for some other sane generally right thinking person to have the same reaction.


    ¡°I can''t say.¡± Prin said miserably. ¡°I wish I could, but it''s too awful to even talk about.¡±


    Dolce leaned away from him, examining the both of them together. Clearly, the gears were turning, and perhaps she was deciding how much to pry and what to use for a crow bar.


    She looked Elwin in the eye, who just shook his head. She would get no help from that quarter.


    ¡°You two seem awfully cozy, not that you don''t always.¡± She observed. She stood back up and walked around the room, looking things over. ¡°It looks like a natural disaster in here. How long has it been since a maid has been up here?¡±


    Elwin fervently hoped that his feelings were being kept internal, and his face hadn''t visibly changed colors when she said that. ¡°We don''t need one!¡± He protested. ¡°I mean . . . It would be better if people don''t come up here and look around, and ask too many questions.¡± Like you''re doing right now.


    Dolce stopped at the desk and picked up the partial supply list Elwin had written in his signature messy handwriting. ¡°You''re really serious about leaving.¡± She said, in a tone that wasn''t a question. ¡°Although I gotta say, the only important thing isn''t even on here.¡± She chuckled.


    ¡°Maybe you can help us.¡± Prin perked up a little. ¡°I''ve always thought you were a very savvy person.¡±


    ¡°Well thank you.¡± Dolce said, still holding and looking over the list. ¡°Yaknow, going out into the world is not going to be easy. If you''re really just doing this to be together, I don''t think you should. You don''t need to run away to do that. People will get used to it.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Mom and dad . . . hey a prince is more high status then some butcher''s daughter.¡± She wrinkled her nose, obviously still thinking about the smell of meat gone sour that clung to the air in the room. ¡°Or, the youngest kid of one of those country noblemen types. As far as his parents . . . They have two other kids to give them grandchildren one day. And I doubt they ever imagined his marriage prospects would be vast anyway. No offense. I know there is the class issue but it has been overcome before by others. I''m just afraid the two of you wouldn''t make it very far, before something bad would happen. What if he gets sick again?¡±


    The prince looked from one of the siblings to the other and back again. ¡°Does she think we''re running away to elope?¡± He asked Elwin, eyes wide with the novelty of the concept.


    ¡°Clearly.¡± Elwin said. ¡°The jig is up, we might as well admit it.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Prin''s mouth made the little o of surprise. ¡°I have read about people doing such things.¡±


    ¡°That''s where he got the idea. From a book.¡± Elwin deadpanned to his sister.


    ¡°I still say, if you''re going to get secretly married and live together, how is that so different from what you''re already doing? You don''t have to go far away!¡± Dolce waved the piece of paper in the air. ¡°How will you even get these things? Do you have any idea what you''re doing?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± Elwin admitted.


    ¡°That''s why we need you!¡± The prince said. ¡°Maybe we are too stupid to manage it after all. But with your help . . . gathering supplies, arranging transport?¡± He leaned forward, throwing himself on her mercy.


    She did always like to be made to feel superior, that one.


    ¡°I didn''t say that.¡± Dolce said. She sat back down beside him. ¡°I know you aren''t stupid.¡± She put her arm around the prince. ¡°Now, my brother on the other hand.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°He may need all the help he can get.¡± Dolce continued. ¡°It''s just, you''re something of a delicate creature, aren''t you? Even if halfway better. And now that you''re going to be my brother too, and I don''t mind it! Really. But anyway I guess we always have been family you and I. But if we''re going to make it official and all I just have to say I''m worried about you. Won''t you reconsider running away?¡± She spoke more sweetly then Elwin had ever heard her speak.


    ¡°It''s something that I have to do.¡± Prin said. ¡°My mind is firmly made up on this. Little sister.¡±


    Elwin''s heart did a funny little dance in his chest, and his stomach a little flip flop. He was on the verge of forgetting all the bad things that had happened and almost buying into the idea that they were just running away to start a new life together, if only for a moment. Would it be okay to allow himself that moment''s fantasy?


    ¡°I forget you''re older than me. But I feel like that was a little bit of a pointed reminder.¡± Dolce laughed. ¡°Alright then, if you''re determined to go with or without my help, of course I''ll help! I can get ahold of anything, you know. Anything at all if given enough time. Just give me . . . a week or two? And I''ll have you outfitted like professional explorers. Oh time, and money of course. I hope you have some money because that was the thing that was missing off your list.¡± She hugged him. ¡°It''ll be no problem at all.¡±


    ¡°We are leaving tomorrow.¡± Prin said.


    Dolce let go of him abruptly. ¡°Okay big brother, now that''s a problem.¡±

 Chapter Twelve

    After expanding on the supply list and extracting promises from Dolce to do the best she could under the circumstances, they finally said good bye to her and were on their own again.


    ¡°I wonder how soon there will be a ship leaving from the harbor?¡± Prin wondered, having not properly factored in that delay when settling on his one day limit.


    ¡°Something is coming or going just about every day, as far as I know.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Although the type of ship will vary, and I don''t know if just any would let us catch a ride.¡±


    ¡°El, I don''t have any money.¡± Prin fretted. ¡°None at all. Sometimes in books, I have seen them sell a piece of jewelry or some other trinket of great value. I am worthless, I have nothing.¡± He looked at his hands, long fingers that would be suited for piano or harp (but had only been used to turn the pages of books, primarily. As giving any kind of lessons to one so sickly would not have been thought of), unadorned. ¡°I bet my brother and sister have rings.¡± He said.


    ¡°I don''t have any either.¡± Elwin said. Having not much need for money so far in his young life, and not exactly a paying job, Elwin had enough money to buy approximately a sandwich to split between them. ¡°I guess it wouldn''t be appropriate to charge any of this to the castle accounts.¡±


    ¡°You can take money out sometimes, right?¡± the prince asked.


    Elwin took one of his hands in his. He wanted to put many rings on those fingers, but not for selling. Just to see how they sparkle in the light, and to see if the gifting of them would make him smile.


    ¡°Only relatively small amounts?¡± Elwin said. ¡°I never tried to push the limits of what was allowed, and they never exactly ask what it''s for either. Saying it''s for you has been enough. I could try it again with a larger amount this time? Or . . . we could come up with a reason that sounds good, for wanting the large amount of cash.¡±


    ¡°Something that wouldn''t cause undue scrutiny.¡± Prin considered. ¡°I can''t think of it!¡± He threw his hands up in the air.


    ¡°Aren''t you tired?¡± Elwin asked. He had no idea of the time but it had to be late. The fire was burning low, running out of fuel, and the candles too, were getting short and fat in their nests of melted wax drippings. The moonlight shined in from the window draping it''s silvery veil over the prince. ¡°And you aren''t even dressed, and your hairs wet!¡± Elwin tsked.


    He got up and went to the trunk to rummage out a clean linen night shirt. He held up one with a pretty detailing of embroidery along the neck and hem. Green vines with blue, pink, and yellow flowers here and there, all in the finest, smallest stitch deftly applied. He had never noticed before what a marvel such things were. It was suddenly in him, after all this, to notice such things? He also couldn''t fail to notice that night shirts were pretty much all that were in the clothes trunk, aside from a few sweaters and shawls to be worn over top in cooler weather. When had he ever had need for anything else?


    ¡°I''m fine, really!¡± Prin protested. ¡°Nanny.¡±


    ¡°Haha.¡± Elwin said. He brought the night shirt over and put it on the prince, in the same way he had helped him get dressed many times before. ¡°Maybe we could say you need a new wardrobe? After all it''s true. And something like that would be very expensive for someone of your status.¡±


    Prin smoothed his soft night shirt down over his body. ¡°That kind of thing . . . Wouldn''t it require fittings? And choosing fabric, and tailoring? We don''t have time for all that.¡±


    ¡°I kind of meant we would just say that''s what the money was for, but actually use it for our supply list instead.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Eh?¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± the prince perked up. ¡°Now there''s a thought!¡±


    ¡°You should go to bed.¡± Elwin suggested.


    Prin clumsily began to get down from the bed, putting weight on each leg carefully. Even though the bed was a low one, he was clearly still not very sure of his standing abilities. ¡°Hey, you know what? We should take an inventory of everything we have to work with. And there might even be some things in the other rooms, as I don''t think they were ever cleaned out. Because who wants to carry things away down the stairs?¡±


    He stood up beside the bed, giving Elwin a triumphant smile.


    Elwin sighed. ¡°It''s very late. What about in the morning? Even though I slept a lot, I guess.¡± He really didn''t feel like he had slept a lot. ¡°I''m tired, and its dark now.¡±


    ¡°But we should get some things done.¡± Prin started out into the room, though it was clear his legs were shaking and threatened to revolt. He started to fall sideways but righted himself.


    Elwin got up and stood near, ready to catch him. He hugged him from behind and rested his head on his shoulder. ¡°Have some mercy on us mere mortals.¡±


    The prince laughed. ¡°You''re silly.¡±


    Elwin picked him up and carried him back to the bed.


    ¡°Hey! I worked hard for those seven point five steps.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin tucked the blankets in around him. ¡°You did great.¡± he said. ¡°We just have a huge day tomorrow, right? Lots to do. So so much to do.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Prin said. ¡°If I go to sleep are you going to leave me?¡± He looked up at Elwin so pitifully, that Elwin had a jolt of the pain of it all. How lonely he must have been in his tower, all this time. Someone who seemed so mentally self sufficient, even while physically he was falling apart. And all he really wanted was to not be alone anymore.


    ¡°No way that''s going to happen.¡± Elwin assured. ¡°In fact, I think it would make me feel a lot better, personally, if we could make a pact right now, not to ever sleep apart at night. Never again. Deal?¡±


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    Prin''s blue eyes narrowed, and he gave his friend a little smirk. ¡°You''re humoring me aren''t you. There''s no need to treat me like a child.¡±


    ¡°We''re the same age.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Can''t you humor ME, for once?¡± He lay down beside the prince on top of the covers. ¡°I just want to keep you close to me always. Agree, but only if you mean it.¡± He put his arm up over his face, half drama, half exhaustion.


    The prince moved his arm and peeked under it. He stuck his tongue out. ¡°A pact is serious, you''re really locking yourself in with this one.¡± he teased.


    ¡°I''m not the one who won''t agree to it.¡± Elwin winked. ¡°Are you afraid out on the road you''ll find someone else you''d rather sleep beside?¡±


    ¡°Okay, fine, I agree.¡± Prin said, laughing.


    They lay there quietly for a while, until finally Elwin was lazily wading into the shallows of sleep, when Prin spoke again.


    ¡°I forgot about her, and now that I remembered I wish I hadn''t.¡± He scooted closer to Elwin.


    Elwin''s eyes shot open wide, as the sudden image of the red barely fleshed skeleton under the bed, concealed in her blanket flashed in his mind like the light at the top of a lighthouse. Only, perhaps not concealed completely? Perhaps some boney fingers or a lock of long dark hair clumped together with a sticky dark substance, had come free from the haphazard wrapping and edged towards the pool of dull light that separated out here from under there? Elwin shuddered. He put his arm around his prince. ¡°It''s okay.¡±


    ¡°Not much we can do about it now, right?¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Right.¡± It would be a long time before Elwin could close his eyes again. When he finally did the thought couldn''t help but arise from somewhere, that there was more then one pact they had made that day.


    *


    Elwin awoke with the sun. In fact, it was more grey then anything outside, the false dawn before the real one came about, or the beginning of a very rainy day.


    The prince was in his arms, sweetly sleeping. Elwin hugged him gently to his chest because he couldn''t resist, even though he didn''t want to wake him up. He felt oddly, like this was a moment he had dreamed about without remembering the dream when he awoke. Maybe something he had been dreaming about for years. Not just the intimate comfort of having him tucked against his chest, a good portion of the length of their bodies touching, but the even deep breathing, the soft cheeks not so sunken as they were and the skin not so deathly pale. In fact, seeing him like this almost made it seem like Elwin should have been more alarmed before, because clearly he was nearing the bottom of a long downward spiral. Before the witch. But Elwin had been in denial, or at least so accustomed to the prince''s illness and frailty that it was just normal. Just the way it was.


    Dolce was right, the difference was extreme, and whatever the witch had done had surely worked. If only the cure''s fuel was not the gruesome death of another. Elwin held back a shudder.


    He lay still as long as he could, trying to be in the moment and enjoy it, but his thoughts and his heart would not stop their racing. He needed to be doing something.


    Elwin got out of bed slowly and tucked Prin in, fluffing the pillows up behind his head. Prin didn''t stir, too comfortable in the ocean of sleep and nowhere near the shoreline. As well he should be at this time of morning.


    Elwin went into the hallway but immediately retreated backwards from the pitch blackness in front of him. He lit a candle from the sputtering remains of the night''s fire and took it with him out into the hallway. He used it to light the candles in the wall sconces along the hall, until he had achieved satisfaction, though it wasn''t exactly very bright.


    They had to get rid of that body. It was the thing that was weighing on him, and stealing his last few hours of sleep. It was bad that it had happened. The god''s knew you shouldn''t take the life of an innocent person, especially one who hadn''t even wronged you or threatened you in any way. Morality aside, it had happened, it had already happened and it was done with. There was no reason for his precious prince to be made to suffer, or even be killed, for something that wasn''t even his fault and was already over and done with.


    That being settled the only thing left was to conceal that a crime had even happened. The evidence left was the skeletonized body of a woman and of course a pile of her blood soaked garments. He tried to think of it dispassionately like this, not a person, or a ghostly figure to be scared of, just evidence. That needed to disappear.


    Elwin opened the door next to the prince''s room and a little poof of dust came from the top of it as it creaked towards him. He had not entered the room since their Nanny''s death three years before. There was no reason to and besides it had been a painful subject for both himself, and Prin.


    The room was lit only by a twin pair of high windows, similar to the one in the prince''s room, and it left a lot in deep shadow. One of the windows cast the shadow of bars onto the floor and the other didn''t, them having fallen out or been removed at some previous point in time. However the windows were still inconveniently high, and the drop to the ground below quite substantial. People would notice the loud thump of something being thrown from up here, and easily figure out where the object had come from. Not to mention the path below was one frequently traveled from the gardens and farm behind the castle toward the staff houses and then the kitchen.


    No, throwing a body out would just not do.


    The bedroom, though once neat and tidy, whispered with disuse. A spider''s web trailed from the corner of the dresser to the wall and it shined in the scarce light the way they do. The rocking chair beside the bed was draped with a quilt. Elwin had the sudden impulse to sit down in it and rock for a minute, but he didn''t.


    In his mind''s eye he could clearly picture nanny rocking the prince on her lap in that chair, when he was very ill and couldn''t fall asleep from pain and coughing. Even when he was too old for it.


    The death of the one who loved him more then any others may have been what set him on this final long spiral. Because Elwin was convinced now, after thinking about it carefully, that Prin would have died very soon. It was impossible that he could have held out much longer, despite being a very stubborn guy obviously. His tenacity being one of the things Elwin admired about him. Still, though, what a blow to lose your mother figure, and you still needing her so very badly.


    Elwin wondered if he even knew that there was someone else who loved him more then any others. As soon as the thought passed through his mind he was embarrassed but not in any position to deny its truth.


    If they did find the old witch, and he was not at all sure that was even possible, he would not let her do anything that would cause Prin to become sick again. He was determined on this, no matter what may happen in the meantime. Even if it meant he had to make sure they didn''t find her.


    Elwin shook the thought out of his head, it tasted too much like betrayal in the back of his mouth, so he didn''t want to spend any more time considering it.


    Something caught his eye against the foot of the bed, Nanny''s old cane. It was nicely made of twisted darkly polished wood, though nothing fancy. But it would do in a pinch. He took it back with him to Prin''s room and leaned it up against the foot of his bed for later.


    Strangely the prince remained asleep as Elwin pulled the body from beneath the bed, and took it to the other room, stashing it under Nanny''s bed for safe keeping. It wasn''t exactly getting rid of the evidence, but people were even less likely to come into this room then they were into Prin''s, so it seemed okay as a stop gap measure.


    Elwin left the room the way he had found it (minus one item and plus another), and headed off for the day. He needed to meet up with Dolce if possible and maybe split the tasks, as well as do something about getting cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes. A strange sense of optimism had come over him. Even if he didn''t know that everything would be okay, he at least had a plan for what to do next.

 Chapter Thirteen

    The prince woke up with tears in his eyes. Again. No matter what happened he barely cried, for years and years. Through pain, both physical and emotional, he had made it a point to let as little of it show as possible. If he couldn''t smile he could at least keep it stoic in front of the few people that mattered. After all, wasn''t that what becoming an adult was all about? Stuffing your feelings in a bottle and throwing that bottle into the ocean?


    However, even before the healer came, the one Elwin confusingly referred to as the old witch, the mask had been cracking, little chips breaking off here and there, crumbling to the ground. And now it was entirely destroyed and it didn''t seem like he could keep his eyes dry to save his soul. Along with a variety of other new and confusing emotions that he didn''t have the time and wherewithall to untangle right at this very moment.


    If his ¡°good attitude¡± was fake, then what else was fake? For one thing, he wasn''t nearly as nice of a person as he pretended to be, that was for sure. It probably wouldn''t even be possible to curse someone into killing people if they were actually a good person. Right?


    But if he was going to be a selfish and bad person anyway, then of course he was going to keep pushing forward no matter what he had done. That''s exactly what a selfish and bad person would do, now wasn''t it.


    He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and instinctively knowing that he was once again all alone. Still, he called anyway. ¡°Elwin? El?¡±


    The room was much as it had been when he had closed his eyes, only minus one Elwin, and with a good bit of dreary grey light coming in through the window. The air smelled of rain. The fire had burned itself down to ashes and embers, and there was a chill in the air.


    But nothing hurt and he was full of energy, which was still a very new type of feeling.


    The prince swung his new legs over the side of the bed and gingerly put his feet down on the stone floor. Which was freezing. ¡°Yikes.¡± The feet went back up quickly.


    He wanted to look under the bed for his slippers but then remembered what ELSE was under the bed. Nope, nope, nope.


    Luckily he spotted his slippers by the foot of the bed, right beside an old wooden walking stick that looked so familiar. Prin got out of bed again, carefully walk-shuffling around to where his slippers were. He put them on and put his hands up in the air. ¡°I can do this!¡± Right before a cold wind, sharp as a knife blew in from the window and made him sprout all over with goosebumps and begin shivering. The thin nightshirt was almost the same as wearing nothing at all. ¡°I can . . . find a sweater.¡±


    The shivering almost made him slip and fall but he grabbed for the clothes trunk at the foot of the bed and managed to steady himself. Was it this hard for everyone to walk and they had just gotten used to it? He figured he was back at the status of baby, and although he had never seen one toddling around with his own eyes, he had read descriptions in books. It did sound like walking was a hard thing to get right, at least for a one year old anyway. The only thing to do for it was to keep practicing.


    It was dark inside the trunk, but he felt around until he found a thick cotton sweater in blue that he had always liked and put it on quickly. That was better but of course his legs were still cold. Prin pulled out each and every item and there were zero pants to be found. It was kind of as he had figured it would be but it was worth a look just in case. Had he never worn a pair of pants? It did seem that way. No wonder he had never progressed beyond the skill level of a child, he couldn''t even get properly dressed. No, it was easy to forget already that there had been no need for such things just a few short days ago. Had there been a need, he was sure he would have had them.


    He chose a couple of night shirts that were in good condition with no threadbare or damaged spots and a few pairs of warm socks. That was about all he had that he could use in his new life. For that''s what he imagined it to be, a new life on the road that wouldn''t be ending, or when it did, at least, it wouldn''t be ending back here at the Vulture. It was a bit difficult to choose what to take when you were leaving for good. Although, he had very little that mattered, except for the books. Which was painful to think about.


    The prince held onto the walking stick and took a couple of wobbly steps toward the bookshelf, stopped to rest, then toddled the few remaining steps to complete his journey. He could already hear El''s voice in the back of his mind telling him that he shouldn''t bring books because of the weight and (supposed uselessness on the road), but he couldn''t imagine it, not having something to read. He put together a few of his favorites along with the new one he had just gotten and wrapped them up in a clean handkerchief.


    He carried the goods shakily back to his little pile of clothes and added it to the top. After resting for a few moments, he went to the cabinet and rummaged around in the stuff that was pulled out as well as the stuff that was still inside. The first aid supplies were here too, and he chose a selection and wrapped them in a small towel. Which is something he figured they had forgotten on their list, a towel. Prin also found a pretty little silver cup that maybe could be sold for a few silver coins with his father''s face on them, but if not it would still be good to drink out of.


    Having, he believed, pretty much scavenged his bedroom of anything with useful application that would still be small enough to pack, Prin sat back down on the bed to rest. He was impressed that he had managed his way around the room several times without falling but the strain on his legs was tiring.


    He lay back down and dozed off for a while, waiting for Elwin to return. The burden of knowing he was a bad person needled at him, but he was too tired at the moment to care.


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    *


    Elwin''s day was turning into quite the mixed bag. The castle treasurer had greeted his cash request with eyebrow raised suspicion and in the end he couldn''t get a single coin off the man, but instead a useless agreement to send a tailor to take the prince''s measurements some time next week. Which unfortunately, was an appointment they would have to miss. Not that the clothes the castle would have ordered for him would be exactly suitable for traveling anyway, he was sure.


    After that he had caught up with Dolce, or rather rousted her from her bed, much to her justifiable irritation. Still very early, the two of them had raided his room as well as any unneeded things Dolce had at hand and came up with a surprising amount of the things on the list with no money out of pocket. Then, she had agreed to giving him a small loan (Dolce must be secretly loaded, Elwin figured, as whatever did she do with the money she amassed from her various jobs and hustles that she always seemed to be in the middle of?) so that he could shop for further supplies.


    After that, still early in the morning, they had split up to go and gather further items. On a budget! And Dolce planned to later scope out the docks for ships that were leaving, the sooner the better, and find out what it would take to get two young men a ride to the next continent.


    All of this was not very subtle, and Elwin figured, once the prince was missed it would not be difficult to trace where they had gone. But hopefully they would be in the middle of the ocean at that point, and once landed they could make haste to travel on in an unpredictable direction. Or something. There was also the possibility that the King would not go out of his way to chase down his errant son. Elwin wasn''t sure they could count on that though. Still, they weren''t exactly master escape artists so it would have to do. And on the plus side, no one, or should he say very few people, even inside the castle''s walls actually knew what the eldest prince looked like, so they shouldn''t draw undo suspicion when trying to leave.


    He didn''t stop going until he realized he was half starved and it was already close to lunch time. He hadn''t meant to leave Prin alone this long.


    Elwin put some of the things he had amassed in a knapsack and raided the kitchen before hurrying upstairs with the goods.


    *


    The prince was just where he had left him, Elwin was relieved to see. Sweetly sleeping in his own bed. He hurriedly sat down his pack and went to him.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Just as Elwin reached out to brush a strand of dark curls away from his sleeping face, he sat up suddenly, causing Elwin to jolt back, startled.


    Prin looked at him and opened his mouth to say something before biting his lip. His eyes seemed red.


    ¡°You want to ask what took me so long.¡± Elwin said, ashamed. ¡°I''m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yes.¡± Prin admitted. ¡°I didn''t want to say it. But I did want to say it.¡±


    Elwin took his hand. ¡°I should have left a note so you wouldn''t worry.¡±


    The prince took his hand away from Elwin. ¡°It''s not that I''m worried! I''m just . . . frustrated. How did I live with this for so long? Being trapped, and . . . imprisoned. I don''t think I fully appreciated that this was a prison. Now I know. Also, why does it have to be so hard and exhausting to walk? If I had to walk down those stairs I would surely die before I reached the bottom!¡±


    Well, this was new. ¡°We don''t have to leave right now, there is still time to reconsider.¡± If they waited a few weeks (a few months?), it would at least give Elwin more time to gather money and the prince more time to build up strength in his new legs.


    ¡°No!¡± The prince blushed, ashamed of himself. The pink color complimented his face so nicely. Elwin thought he was so pretty, even when he was being cranky. ¡°Sorry.¡± the prince sighed, looking down at his lap. ¡°Sorry, it''s just important we don''t let him get away. Further away I mean.¡±


    ¡°Right, understood.¡± Elwin agreed. ¡°Oh, I know what this is. I bet you''re as hungry as I am. After expending all that energy.¡± He spread out the foods he had brought in between them on the bed. ¡°I''ve been neglectful, I got too caught up in the middle of what I was doing.¡±


    The prince, not accustomed to just freely eating whatever (recent events excluded), picked up a piece of cheese and bit into it as though tasting it for the first time. He smiled. It was good.


    Barely pausing for breath, Prin begin eating rapidly. He gobbled up, cheese and sliced meat, and bread. Pastries with dots of jam in the middle, and fresh fruit.


    Elwin was barely able to grab one pastry for himself. It was like eating a meal with Dolce. He stared on in amazement, a big grin on his own face. ¡°Careful not to choke.¡± He cautioned gently, certainly in no way wanting to discourage him. He poured Prin a cup of wine to wash it down with.


    The prince drank the wine, only after he had eaten all the food. ¡°I guess I was hungry.¡± He said sheepishly.


    ¡°Are you full?¡± Elwin wondered, amazed.


    ¡°I could eat more.¡± Prin admitted. ¡°But I''m okay! Not to worry.¡± He smiled reassuringly at Elwin. ¡°I truly am sorry for everything. For how I acted just now. You don''t owe me anything, I shouldn''t be like that. Also . . . you know, for getting you into this whole thing to begin with.¡±


    ¡°You haven''t gotten me into anything. Whatever it is, we are in it together, remember?¡± Elwin said.


    Prin nodded. ¡°And I will get stronger.¡±


    ¡°You will.¡± Elwin agreed.


    ¡°I can feel it.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Me too!¡± Elwin was so happy, he took both of the prince''s hands in his. ¡°Don''t get discouraged. If you had any idea how far you''ve come already!¡±


    ¡°I have?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°I wouldn''t say it just to blow hot air.¡± Elwin assured. ¡°Now, do you want to see what I brought you?¡±


    *


    Elwin soon had to go again, promising to come back as soon as he was able. The prince would have liked to come with him, but they decided it would raise too many eyebrows when the last thing they needed was to make people suspicious right before it was time for them to make their big escape. Absolutely everyone would notice Prin if he started wandering through the downstairs of the castle.


    He ran around town checking on a few more things, and had to break it to Dolce that he wouldn''t have any money to actually pay for a ride on a ship. She had already figured as much. Damn her. She had gotten them a ride on a ship that was leaving at dawn, and not a moment later.


    Elwin hurried back to tell Prin the good news, bringing the rest of the supplies he had gathered with him to the tower, as well as more food since it was supper time by this point.


    He bounded up the stairs, almost spilling the basket of food he was carrying, more then once, in his enthusiasm.


    Elwin threw open the bedroom door at the top of the tower. The prince was nowhere to be seen.

 Chapter Fourteen

    ¡°Prin?¡± Elwin called, even though he could see that he was not there. The room was not all that big and there weren''t many places to hide. He took a quick look under the bed. Nothing.


    Panic was starting to rise before he remembered what the prince had said about going down the stairs, between that and what they had discussed regarding how conspicuous he would be downstairs in the castle. Surely that meant he was still up here somewhere?


    Elwin got a candle in it''s shiny brass holder and took it back into the hall with him. ¡°Hello?¡± He called softly down the hall. ¡°Prin? Where are you?¡±


    The stone hallway was dark, only a few of the wall candles remaining lit and very little light coming from the prince''s room could reach out here.


    Elwin lit the candles, which did little good except to tell him that no one was inexplicably standing right next to him.


    The two doors, one beside Prin''s and having belonged to the nanny, and one across from that one which had been untouched and unused for at minimum the seventeen years of their lives, were closed. Further down the lonely hall was a covered indent in the wall that served as a sort of drain spout. They weren''t sure what it was for originally, but served as a place to pour out the old bathwater and have it go down down down the pipe and splash on the packed dirt beside the castle. Beyond that was more hall, but for some reason, unexplored.


    Elwin walked down the hall. He peeked into nanny''s room and saw that it was empty (or as empty as he had left it earlier anyway). Elwin opened the door across the way and saw a dusty bedroom with old furniture. No prince, or anything else of interest for that matter.


    Past it, the lid was over the drain spout. Not that anyone could escape from it, or out of it, or what have you, since it was only four or five inches across. Still, he lifted the cover and took a peek before replacing it.


    He was beginning to get worried as he entered the unexplored area of the hallway. The prince did not seem to be here after all. Could someone have come and got him? Perhaps sent by the doctor, or the king even? Elwin gulped. He tried to push down his apprehension.


    Soon he remembered why he didn''t go into this part of the castle. It was one of those nowhere zones. The fall apart zones. It looked like the ceiling had partially collapsed in on itself at some point, but in such a way that the outside elements were still blocked by stone, so it was left the way it was. Large stones blocked off what may have been further rooms, possibly even another stair case. Some of the fallen stone were as big as the boulders in the field. The ones nanny had told him not to ever approach because the Fae lived in their shadows. Elwin laughed, not sure if he had ever been young enough to believe that crap. He had a bad feeling up and down his spine though. A prickly feeling. His little candle cast more deep shadow then it did light.


    ¡°Prin?¡± He called again. His voice a whisper, and he didn''t know why. He bent down to look at something in a little pile of rock and a mouse wiggled it''s whiskered nose at him. ¡°You scared me.¡± He scolded it softly.


    ¡°Who are you talking to?¡± A voice came from behind him.


    Elwin whirled around, and a pair of large eyes glowed from one of the big rocks he had just passed. ¡°Ahhh!¡± Elwin screamed, releasing pent up tension that he had been holding. He threw up his hands in defense and the candle lept from his hand and clattered to the floor outing itself in a puddle of it''s own hot wax.


    For a moment he was frantic, heart beating like a foreign instrument and breath ragged. His fear glued his feet to the ground, or he would doubtless have run to where he had come from, and the meager light from the candles on the walls at the hallway''s friendlier end.


    Since he was stuck, after all, his eyes began to adjust to the dimness and he saw that the eyeglowing creature was only his prince resting above him on a rock and holding the wooden cane to his chest. Frowning at him in concern.


    ¡°What happened?¡± the prince asked. ¡°Are you scared of mice?¡± The slightest smile of amusement began to tug at the corners of his lips, as he contemplated the image of a big strong boy terrified of a tiny rodent.


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    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°Why would you--?¡± He put his hand over his heart, realizing it made him look like an old lady about to come down with a fit of the vapors.


    ¡°I was just looking around. I got bored.¡± Prin said. ¡°And I''ve never been over here. Well anywhere really.¡± He motioned Elwin over. ¡°I think we can go in there if we just climb over this rock. I can see inside the room.¡± He pointed over his shoulder. ¡°A hidden room.¡±


    Elwin stepped carefully around the candle mess and went to Prin. He could just barely see him, let alone penetrate the blackness of the room behind him. ¡°Not hidden, just blocked off.¡± He said. If he squinted he could see a little from a window or crack in the wall. Not much though, and it looked like mainly rubble.


    ¡°I was afraid if I got in, I couldn''t get back out.¡± The prince said. ¡°But I do kind of want to see.¡± He leaned in close to Elwin''s ear. ¡°By the way, what did you do with her.¡±


    Elwin drew a blank. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You know, HER.¡± Prin said. ¡°I looked under my bed but there was nothing.¡±


    ¡°Oh . . . her.¡± Elwin hated the moments when he had genuinely forgotten the whole thing and it was forced back into his mind with a jolt. ¡°I hid the body, but it''s not a permanent solution.¡±


    ¡°Shhh, shhh.¡± Prin said. ¡°Don''t say that word.¡±


    ¡°No one can hear us.¡± Elwin whispered. He rested his head against Prin''s knee, them being about on the same level. How had the prince gotten so high up on that rock? ¡°Don''t worry.¡±


    ¡°I know . . . but still.¡± the prince fretted. ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Where? Under nanny''s bed.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Under nanny''s bed!?¡± The prince''s tone was that of someone who had heard and been forced to repeat utter sacrilege.


    ¡°I couldn''t leave it where it was.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Just in case someone came looking. Maybe, even if they had found . . .¡± he tried not to say the word body anymore. ¡°it, her, you could have at least tried to deny you knew anything about it.¡±


    ¡°Do you think someone will come looking?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°It is a distinct possibility.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And after we''ve gone . . . they''ll be up here looking for more then just her.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± Prin was silent for a long moment. He put his hand on Elwin''s head and patted it rhythmically, as though using the movement to pace out his own thoughts. ¡°I never thought. Ah, this is all so much! Don''t get overwhelmed.¡±


    He was clearly talking to himself, so Elwin didn''t try to answer his words directly. Although he was overwhelmed too, now that he mentioned it. ¡°I don''t know how to get the b-- it down out of this tower. I have been over, in my head, all the possibilities and they are all bad and come with an unhealthy amount of risk.¡± He admitted. ¡°Yet, we must. I guess I could take her down in parts . . . in the food basket. But if anyone tried to look. And the fact that I would be carrying so much trash out, so many trips in one day I mean, would make the guards suspicious of me. They are always watching the staff for stealing, out of the corner of their eyes. I know they are. Also, what in the underworld would I do with her once she was outside? Dig a hole? Where? Drag her way out in the wilds somewhere?¡±


    ¡°No, that''s a bad plan.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°As I thought.¡± Elwin agreed.


    ¡°And it has to be solved soon, as in right now.¡± the prince said.


    ¡°Especially since we''re leaving at dawn.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°We are? Well done!¡± Prin said.


    ¡°It''s all Dolce''s doing.¡± Elwin was too tired to take the credit right now. He just wanted to enjoy his head pats and then possibly to take a nap.


    ¡°Okay.¡± the prince said decisively. ¡°The only thing for it is to leave her up here. She doesn''t leave the tower at all.¡±


    ¡°How''s that?¡± Elwin wondered. He had thought of that himself but it seemed like they might search the other two bedrooms after the prince disappears. Maybe so, maybe not, one never could tell about these things.


    Prin pointed behind himself. ¡°We tuck it away in such a hidden little corner that they would never go to the trouble to find it.¡±


    ¡°But anywhere we could stick it, they could find it. If they tried.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Hmmm, but I doubt they will make more then a cursory search.¡± Prin said. ¡°Especially not in an area of the castle that could be dangerous?¡±


    Elwin thought of the stories, more then one at that, of people being injured or even killed by the pieces falling off the ancient structure known as the vulture. It''s true, guards would hesitate to go beyond the well formed areas, even though this particular area had fallen in on itself long ago and appeared to be stable. ¡°That is a good point.¡± He wondered, if they positioned her just right, and enough time went by, might any inadvertent stumblers across who find the corpse think that it was an older body? Like from the time of the original collapse, and trapped beneath rubble? There had to be some bodies in the walls of this place, of that one could be certain.


    ¡°We should hide her in there.¡± the prince nodded, agreeing with himself. ¡°Especially since time is of the essence. We don''t have time to think of anything better.¡±


    ¡°It might be difficult to get her over this rock.¡± Elwin fretted. ¡°I don''t know if I can do it alone.¡±


    ¡°The difficulty of accessing is part of the point. And you won''t be alone, silly! I''ll be with you.¡± Prin said. He laughed, the sound echoing strangely down the broken stone hall. ¡°I will not miss this place, I tell you that.¡± he said.


    ¡°Yes you will.¡± Elwin teased. ¡°Eventually.¡±


    Prin nodded. ¡°Eventually . . . maybe.¡±

 Chapter Fifteen

    The body wasn''t all that heavy. She hadn''t been a big woman to begin with, and now . . . Well, less so. A lot less so.


    Elwin had tied twine around the blanket to keep it from falling open (no one wanted to see more of that, he reasoned. What had already been viewed being enough to fuel a lifetime of nightmares). And the prince''s brilliant idea had been to put her on the little wheeled seat that he had used to get around in his room. Even though Elwin figured he could have carried her without too much trouble, anything that saved his energy, which he was sure to need plenty of, he was all for.


    He carried a fresh candle and pushed the rolling seat with it''s long bundle over the bumpy stones of the hallway, with Prin close behind him walking with heavy assistance from the cane.


    They made quite a sight, he was sure of that.


    Elwin could tell that the prince was getting fatigued, but he was determined to carry on and do this immediately. He cast a worried glance over his shoulder at Prin, who gave him a wan smile.


    As he was distractedly looking in a backward direction, the wheels of the little seat hit a bump and pitched it''s twine wrapped burden onto the ground.


    ¡°Oops, end of the line here I think.¡± Elwin said. The floor only got more uneven, damaged, and debris strewn as you got further down, and it wasn''t far to go anyway. So he picked up the body over his shoulder and carried it to the big rock that covered the so called hidden room.


    This way he could really feel the shape of the body and it just felt like a thin person with her head rested on his back, not unlike when he would carry a frail Prin from one end of the room to the other. He told himself sternly not to think about it.


    Elwin waited for the prince to catch up to him. ¡°Now what?¡± he asked gently. ¡°Do you have a plan for this part?¡±


    ¡°Let me get back up there.¡± Prin scrambled to climb up the rock, flinching as the sharp stone scraped his bare legs. ¡°It''s alright!¡± He hastened to assure. Leading Elwin to be sure that blood was drawn against the stone.


    Elwin put the body down. ¡°I''ll help.¡± He boosted Prin to the top of the boulder. ¡°Please be careful, please.¡±


    ¡°I am, I am.¡± Prin said. ¡°Now, hand me her. And I will drop it down the other side, see? Then you and I will follow.¡± He smiled reassuringly and reached both hands down to receive the bundle.


    ¡°If you''re sure about this.¡± Elwin sat his candle down. He could think of too many ways this could all go badly. What if the drop from the other side of the rock was unexpectedly steep? What if there was a hole in the floor on the other side? He tried to push the thoughts away.


    Reluctantly Elwin picked up the body and handed it upward toward Prin.


    ¡°I''ve got this.¡± Prin assured. He took the women''s body from Elwin, their hands touching briefly in the exchange. Once he had it on top of the rock he started to lower it over the other side, quickly dropping it the rest of the way down. ¡°Oops, oh well.¡± he said sheepishly.


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    ¡°Here I go.¡± He winked at Elwin before dropping out of sight behind the rock. There was a bit of a crash and thud on the other side.


    ¡°Are you okay!?¡± Elwin called.


    After a moment''s too long pause. ¡°Just fine!¡± Came the reply. ¡°Er, she broke my fall.¡±


    Elwin cringed. Well better that then falling directly onto the rock floor. He was sure the prince was not in fact, just fine, but they would have to sit down and assess the damage later, when this was all over. If it was ever all over.


    ¡°Are you out of the way? I''m coming over.¡± Elwin warned.


    ¡°Hold on.¡± the prince''s hand stuck out over the top of the rock. ¡°Pass me the candle, if you please.¡±


    Elwin picked the candle back up and put it in Prin''s hand. It disappeared behind the rock.


    ¡°Okay, I''m out of the way.¡± the prince said. ¡°Now you be careful, though.¡± he warned.


    Elwin climbed up the rock, which was easier than one might suppose, based on naturally occurring hand and foot holds. He climbed down the other side easily, dropping only a few feet at the end of it.


    ¡°Agile bastard.¡± Prin teased.


    Elwin laughed. It was nice to hear him still joking around under the circumstances.


    The room had been large at one point, but now it was hard to tell. It was sectioned off by rubble into a claustrophobic mess. In the far corner, meager light came through the wall and shone down on a stone column that had fallen onto some heavy old wood furniture, probably a bed, crushing it and adding wood shards to the mess. The other side of the room was just stone piles.


    The prince moved his candle side to side. ¡°Where do you think we should . . .?¡±


    ¡°Maybe in the far corner.¡± Elwin suggested. ¡°Out of the way enough that if people just took a quick look in here through the doorway they wouldn''t be able to see anything unusual.¡±


    ¡°Right, right.¡± Prin picked up one end of the wrapped corpse.


    ¡°Oh, no, you don''t need to help.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Sit down a minute, you look like you need it.¡± He went to Prin and guided him back to the stone they had climbed over. ¡°Sit. Sit.¡± He put his hands on his shoulders and pushed him to sit on the bottom edge of the rock. ¡°I''ll take care of this part.¡±


    Prin sat down. ¡°Don''t trip over anything.¡± he suggested.


    ¡°I won''t. You tell me if you can still see any part of the blanket sticking out from there, okay?¡± Elwin took the body to the corner of the room, stepping carefully over and around things until he got as far into the darkness as he could get. He had to peek around the corner of some fallen rock to see the prince sitting there with his candle.


    Elwin tucked the body into the corner. ¡°Can you see anything?¡± he asked, even though he was fairly certain he couldn''t.


    ¡°No.¡± Prin said. ¡°Not even you.¡±


    Elwin felt around and started moving the smaller rocks from under and around the body, to on top of the body, as best he could. He even took some large pieces of wood, what may have been the remains of a large clothes wardrobe, and put them in on top of her. In the darkness he couldn''t really see much of anything, but he hoped that even with light it would be hard to see much at all of the bundle.


    He went back to Prin and got the candle. ¡°Let me borrow this for a moment.¡± He used it to look at his work, which he deemed satisfactory. It would be a shock to him indeed if anyone were to discover her. Not in the next hundred years anyway.


    As he was heading back toward Prin some cloth caught his eye, and he bent to examine it. Unfortunately it seemed too ragged and damaged by insects to be anything useful, but while he was down there something sparkled in the candle light. He picked it up, and it was a small gold colored ring with a flat clear crystal embedded in it. Elwin smiled. He dug through the dust and rubble for a moment to see if anything else was there but it seemed to be alone.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± the prince wondered.


    ¡°I found something.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Eh, lets get out of here first.¡± He went back to his prince with the little treasure tucked into his pocket. It clinked against the coin he had gotten from Mr Seal and transferred to this pocket when he had changed into fresh clothes, then promptly forgotten all about. He was looking forward to giving them to Prin later.

 Chapter Sixteen

    Getting up before dawn was no problem for Elwin, since he hadn''t been able to sleep anyway. He had left a candle burning, so there was at least a small amount of light to see by.


    Prin slept well, of course, and was still sleeping. Ever since this whole ¨Cthing-- had happened, it seemed that the prince had no trouble sleeping like a baby. Maybe it was just a by product of his new over all wellness. Or maybe it was because he was expending a lot of energy trying to walk. It did seem very difficult, and Elwin had to suppress his own urge to tell him to quit trying so hard and to let him do everything for him.


    Elwin just watched the prince for a long moment, breathing in and out. Dolce was right, of course, the biggest difference of all was in how quiet his breathing was now, if you didn''t see the rising and falling of his chest you might think he wasn''t breathing at all. Before, his breathing had been bad for so long that Elwin had just gotten used to it.


    He was going to just touch Prin''s shoulder to wake him, but when that didn''t immediately work he impulsively pulled him into a hug.


    ¡°Oof, good morning to you too.¡± Prin said, words slightly muffled since his face was pressed into Elwin''s shoulder. ¡°I don''t think you know your own strength.¡±


    Elwin quickly released him. ¡°Oops. I''m sorry.¡± He said sheepishly.


    The prince smiled. ¡°I didn''t say you had to stop.¡±


    Elwin began to reach out again, but then dropped his arms and quickly hopped out of bed. ¡°No time now! We have to get going.¡± They were on a tight timeline anyway, as a boat''s launch time waits for no man (his sister had hastened to assure him), and they still had to sneak out of the Vulture.


    Prin stretched his arms up lazily over his head. ¡°I''m hungry.¡± he yawned.


    Elwin popped a pastry in his mouth, leftover from last night''s supper, and poured him a mug of fresh water. ¡°Eat quickly.¡±


    ¡°Adventure awaits!¡± The prince said. Although it came out more like ''Awincher awaich'', since his mouth was full. But Elwin knew what he meant, and couldn''t help laughing in spite of the stress he was under.


    ¡°You sound just a little too enthusiastic about getting on a ship for parts unknown,¡± he said.


    Prin gulped down the rest of his pastry and took a drink of water to wash it down with. ¡°I don''t know about the ship but . . . in a weird way, I mean, under different circumstances and all, this is what I''ve always wanted.¡± He cast Elwin a slightly embarrassed look as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. ¡°I know it''s corny to say. I would probably be a lot more scared about the whole thing if you weren''t coming with me. I-I thank you for that. You could have declined and I would have never had any hard feelings toward you about it. In fact, . . if you ever want to turn back it''s . . .¡±


    ¡°Stop right there. You don''t have to thank me. And as for turning back, that''s never going to happen.¡± Elwin got the stack of clothes he had gathered for Prin and brought them over to the bed. ¡°Let me help you get dressed. I hope this stuff all fits . . .¡± He started with the leggings, pulling them up over the prince''s legs and hips and tying the drawstring at his waist. This would add a layer of warmth and soft fabric between his skin and the harsher outerwear. Elwin had taken some advice on dressing for travel, although he had never traveled himself. ¡°Plus if I left you, how would we keep our pact?¡±


    ¡°That''s right.¡± Prin laughed. ¡°You know, I don''t think there''s anything we can''t do if we''re together!¡±


    ¡°I think the boots might be a little big. Let''s try this.¡± Elwin put a thin pair of socks, then a thicker pair of socks on Prin''s feet. ¡°I don''t think so big that we need to stuff paper in them or anything . . .¡± He tried to concentrate on the matter at hand, and not how sweet Prin was being. Although in a way he felt like he was treating him like a dress up doll. It was kind of fun, he had to admit it.


    ¡°I could get myself dressed.¡± The prince said sheepishly, ¡°Not that you aren''t doing a fine job of it.¡±


    ¡°Could you?¡± Elwin wondered. ¡°You don''t have to go from doing nothing by yourself to everything overnight. Let''s work our way up to it.¡± He took a shirt from the pile. It was faded green and a little thin from many washes, but had clearly been a fine garment at one time. The collar had embroidered acorns and leaves.


    ¡°Some of these things are pretty old fashioned, but I think it suits you.¡± He slipped it on over Prin''s head, and lifted his arms to place them in the sleeves. He didn''t take the nightshirt off first, figuring it could serve as the under layer.


    ¡°It wasn''t by my own choice.¡± The prince said softly. ¡°That I couldn''t do things for myself.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Elwin brushed Prin''s hair back from his face, and quickly grabbed a bit of string to tie it back in a ponytail. ¡°There, isn''t that better?¡± As soon as he said that, he got a flash back of nanny saying it to him, when he had been a long haired kid.


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    ¡°If I''m doing a fine job, let me keep doing it.¡± he said. As much as he would like to take the time to soothe the prince''s ego, he didn''t really have it. ¡°There are presents at the end.¡± he said enticingly.


    ¡°Ooo, okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°I''ll shut up now.¡±


    Elwin added some well made pants to the ensemble. So well made, in fact, that they had been worn already by both himself, and then Dolce, having been outgrown by the both of them. They survived it well, with a leather patch added when one knee gave out. The pants were too short, a sin the addition of boots would easily hide. ¡°Sorry, I couldn''t do the shopping the way I really wanted to, so most of this was pulled out of things my family already owned, or purchased from Mr. Seal''s shop. He gave us a very good deal.¡±


    ¡°Will he tell where we''ve gone?¡± The prince wondered.


    ¡°No . . . I don''t think he will.¡± Elwin said. Not that there was anything they could do about it either way.


    He added a leather belt at Prin''s waist, which would definitely be needed to hold the pants onto his thin frame.


    ¡°Almost done.¡± Elwin said. He carefully worked the tall boots onto Prin''s feet. They reached half way up his calves, which should hopefully be good enough to keep him out of the mud. Unless he falls. ¡°Stand up and see how they feel.¡±


    Elwin took the prince''s arms and helped him to his feet. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Prin beamed at him. ¡°Seems just fine. Are we ready to go?¡±


    Elwin picked up the final piece of clothing. A dramatically black cloak with a flower embroidered deep purple lining. An expensive item fifty years or more ago. Although only yesterday discovered in Mr Seal''s treasure box of old clothing. He put it around Prin''s shoulders. Nothing quite matched, and some would say that the outfit overall looked a little silly. But, by the look on his face, Prin seemed to be enjoying it.


    ¡°That''s all.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Oh! Presents.¡± He took the lucky scratched coin, to which he had already supplied a black cord as a neck chain, out of his pocket and put it around Prin''s neck. ¡°I''m told that this is good luck.¡± he said.


    While the prince was curiously examining the relic, Elwin took his other hand and slid the little ring, with the clear stone onto his pinky, where it fit nicely. ¡°There. Now you have a ring!¡±


    ¡°Ooo,¡± Prin looked at his hand, a tinge of color rising in his cheeks. ¡°Can we sell this?¡±


    Elwin frowned slightly. ¡°No, I think its only brass. It''s not for you to sell, anyway, it''s for you to wear.¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Prin said cheerily. ¡°I love it. Don''t be cross.¡±


    ¡°I''m not.¡± Elwin said, unsure why it even was that he did feel cross. ¡°We have to get going.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin nodded in agreement. ¡°But how?¡±


    Elwin widened his eyes at the prince. ¡°I was hoping you had a plan!¡±


    The color drained from Prin''s face. ¡°You''re kidding . . .¡±


    ¡°Oh no. I mean yes, yes I was kidding.¡± Elwin laughed. He gave Prin a quick one armed hug of apology. ¡°Sorry, I didn''t mean to scare you. I know what we''re going to do.¡±


    Prin sighed. ¡°I''ll do whatever you say. Just don''t make me try to come up with anything.¡± He chewed on his lower lip nervously.


    Elwin got a little thrill hearing him say ''I''ll do whatever you say'', which he quickly tucked away for later. They were busy at the moment, and the pressure was on for his own half ass plan to actually get the job done.


    ¡°First we have to get the bags into the other room.¡± He gathered up the two knapsacks. One larger and a bit overstuffed and a smaller one that was Prin''s, since he insisted he needed to carry some of the goods himself. And there was also a smaller cross body bag, and of course the walking stick. ¡°I think that''s all the luggage.¡±


    The prince tilted his head to the side. Clearly both curious about the plan and wondering if they had truly packed everything they were going to need, if Elwin had read him right.


    ¡°Come on.¡± Elwin took the bags and hurried to the room next door, the room with the open window. With Prin hobbling along behind him, relying heavily on the cane.


    Elwin waited for him to catch up and then pointed at the high window. ¡°The stuff goes out there.¡± He made sure the bags were thoroughly fastened and hoisted them up onto the window sill. ¡°I hope nothing in there is too breakable.¡± he remarked, after having pushed the bags out the window.


    ¡°My books.¡± the prince sighed under his breath.


    ¡°What?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Prin said, with an unhappy look on his face.


    ¡°Dolce will be waiting down there to pick them up and bring them to us.¡± Elwin assured.


    ¡°Oh! You really do have a plan!¡± Prin turned his frown upside down and flashed it at his friend.


    ¡°Of course I do, silly.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Now, we have to get ourselves down there, is the only thing.¡±


    Prin looked from the window to Elwin and back again, but to his credit, he didn''t say what he was thinking.


    ¡°The stairs.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin laughed.


    They went to the top of the stairway, the prince not even taking one last look at the bedroom where he had spent his entire life thus far.


    Elwin bent down. ¡°Piggy back.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± the prince asked.


    ¡°I''m strong, I can do it no problem.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It''s too steep for you to walk it. We don''t have time for you to break a leg.¡±


    ¡°That''s one way of putting it.¡± the prince said. ¡°But you are right. The longer we wait, the more distance he is putting between us.¡± He said this for himself, strengthening his resolve.


    He got on Elwin''s back and Elwin straightened slowly. Although the prince was heavier than he was just a few days ago, he was still a light person, as far as full grown people went. And Elwin did hope that he put on more weight and couldn''t fit into Dolce''s pass me downs any more pretty soon. But as for today, it may be challenging to carry him down these crumbling steep tower stairs and Elwin was glad there wasn''t that much of him to carry. ¡°Hold on tight.¡± He really hope he still remembered where all the loose stairs were in the dark.


    Elwin stopped periodically to take a break and make sure Prin was securely settled on his back. Prin''s face was tucked into his neck, having to duck low to avoid hitting his head on the low ceiling. His warm breath on Elwin''s ear was more distracting then any loose stones in the dark stairwell could ever be.


    ¡°Everything alright?¡± Prin whispered in his ear. ¡°Do you need me to get down?¡±


    Elwin shivered. ¡°Nope. All good.¡± He hurried on with the stairs, needing to get back into the light. ¡°Almost there.¡±

 Chapter Seventeen

    At the bottom of the stairwell, finally, Elwin bent down and the prince climbed off his back. He handed him the walking stick that he had tucked under his arm. The two of them remained in the shadows for a long moment.


    Elwin reached out and touched Prin''s face, and in the darkness he could feel a smile there. Elwin smiled back, and placed Prin''s hand on his own face so he could feel it.


    He was a little afraid. The most nerving wracking part was still to come (would it always feel this way, from here on out?), but they were really doing it. Really getting out.


    Elwin had planned for a route of least resistance. He had first thought of going through the kitchen, but his parents would be there, so there was always a chance that he would be stopped. And they would surely get overexcited about Prin being with him, if they managed to notice the two of them at all in their bustling breakfast preparations.


    So, he had dismissed that idea, and decided to go through the ball room which should be unused and empty at the moment.


    Still, there was the matter of getting there.


    In this, they caught a little bit of a lucky break. Elwin knew the guard stationed nearby, and he was a laid back sort of fellow.


    Elwin put his hand out behind him in a hold back gesture. ¡°Wait here a minute.¡±


    He casually walked out of the stairwell towards the guard.


    ¡°Hey!¡± He said. ¡°How are you?¡±


    The guard, who''s name Elwin would be damned if he could remember, raised an eyebrow at Elwin. ¡°How much time you got?¡± He was a middle aged, mustached man who looked like he would rather be approximately anywhere else. Or fishing.


    Elwin forced a small chuckle, reminding himself repeatedly in his head to try and be normal, though even by striking up a conversation he seemed to be stepping out of his normal bounds. ¡°Half asleep probably huh? Me too. Me too.¡±


    ¡°Mmm hmm.¡± the guard¡¯s eyes were already glazing over with disinterest. But that was good, that was okay, it was better than suspicion anyway.


    ¡°You know what we need? Some breakfast, and coffee.¡± Elwin said, trying to keep it soooo casual. ¡°Why don''t you go get us some? I''ll watch your spot for you.¡±


    The guard opened his mouth to speak, and before he could even get a word out, Elwin was so sure that he would tell him to go get it himself that he preempted the words before they were even spoken.


    ¡°If I went and got ''em my mom would give me a hard time. She works in the kitchen? Or she might even put me to work.¡± Elwin said, pulling a long suffering face. ¡°You, she would just give it to. Come on, why not? It''s so quiet right now, since people haven''t woken up yet.¡± By people of course, he meant people of importance, unlike present company. ¡°No one will even notice you stepped away.¡±


    ¡°Really want that cup of coffee don''t ya?¡± The guard smirked. ¡°Up all night?¡±


    ¡°Was I being that obvious?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Okay, alright, but you''re going to owe me one.¡± The guard said. ¡°When I ask you for a favor, you''re going to do it.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Elwin felt something awkward in the atmosphere, like the guard was going to ask him for something he didn''t want to do, and he already had in mind what that something would be. It didn''t matter though, since they would be long gone before ever seeing him again. Probably.


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    The guard waved at him dismissively as he walked away toward the kitchen.


    Elwin figured the errand wouldn''t take long, so they had to hurry. He turned back to the stairwell and pulled Prin''s cloak hood up to at least partially conceal his face. Elwin couldn''t decide which would look odder, Prin walking around downstairs? Or a cloaked mystery figure walking around? He just had to pick one and go with it because they didn¡¯t have time.


    Luckily at this pre-dawn hour there weren''t a lot of people around, mainly just staff, and they were busy working. Elwin waited just a beat for the coast to be clear, before taking the prince''s hand and leading him down the corridor.


    Prin tripped and started to go down, but Elwin caught him in time.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Prin whispered. He looked up at Elwin with a face full of nervous excitement. Sparkling eyes and a little smile that flickered here and there like a firefly.


    ¡°It''s my fault. I was going too fast and pulling you along.¡± Elwin set him back on his feet. ¡°Take my arm.¡±


    Prin held onto his arm, and they walked at a steady, but slower pace to the ballroom.


    ¡°This is where we''re leaving from?¡± The prince looked around, taking in the huge room with the long table at the far side.


    ¡°It''s completely empty in here.¡± Elwin pointed out. ¡°This room is only used for special occasions.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± Prin said. ¡°It''s so big.¡±


    ¡°That door leads to the kitchen.¡± Elwin pointed. ¡°And this, this door, goes outside. In fact, it was the door the witch came in through. Hmm, I didn''t think about that until just now. I guess it''s kind of fitting or something. For us to leave this way.¡±


    Elwin left Prin''s side and went to the door. He figured it might take both hands to push the heavy door open. He pushed, and nothing moved. Maybe it was pull, instead? Yes, come to think of it, the door had opened inward, toward the party.


    Elwin pulled on the door with all his might. It didn''t even move in its frame.


    Prin came closer, leaning on his walking stick for support. The two of them examined the door top to bottom, looking for a bolt or latch, or a lock.


    ¡°Perhaps it''s bolted on the outside?¡± Prin suggested.


    Elwin had not even considered this as a possibility. He groaned. ¡°Why would they do that?¡±


    ¡°To keep us in.¡± Prin deadpanned. ¡°We will never escape.¡±


    ¡°I think you''re kidding, but it''s really not funny.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Since that''s exactly what we''re trying to do.¡±


    The prince grinned at him. ¡°Everything will be okay. How about we try a window?¡±


    The door was flanked by floor to ceiling windows that were covered by thick tapestry curtains. Elwin doubted very seriously that they could be opened. But in truth, he hadn''t even noticed them there until Prin said something.


    Elwin lifted the edge of the dark brown and green curtain and slipped in behind it. It was dark in there, and he wished he had a candle. That would be a fire hazard he guessed. There was a dull grey light outside, not really enough to render any assistance.


    He felt around, seeing with his hands if there was a latch or hinge of any sort, but no luck, it didn''t appear that they were meant to open, or if so, had been sealed shut at some point.


    Elwin was about to leave it alone and tell Prin they would have to try a different room, when the curtain lifted and Prin joined him.


    ¡°Peek-a-boo.¡± Prin said impishly. ¡°I see you.¡±


    Elwin couldn''t help but laugh, though he kept it quiet as best he could. ¡°I''m sorry, these don''t even open. We''ll have to try elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°It''s amazing! The curtains are so thick I couldn''t even tell anyone was behind them.¡± the prince said. He held the curtain back with his cane and used the meager light to look the window over. ¡°You''re right. Hmm.¡±


    Suddenly, he dropped the curtain and used the heavy wooden walking stick to break the window. ¡°Looks like it''s open now.¡± he said mildly.


    Elwin was shocked at this. Prin had surprised him again, which seemed to be something that was happening a lot lately.


    ¡°Don''t worry, they can afford to replace it.¡± Prin teased, just as the sound of heavy footsteps entered the room.


    Elwin grabbed him and pulled him close, shrinking against the mostly still intact window. They couldn''t get out without the further noise and movement of breaking the glass the rest of the way.


    He felt a finger against his lips.


    ¡°Shhh, no one can see us.¡±


    Elwin wasn''t sure if he heard the words or simply felt them against his ear. He remained still, hoping to all the gods that Prin was right. A soft curl of Prin''s hair brushed his face, causing him a brief welcome distraction from the hammer pounding of his heart.

 Chapter Eighteen

    ¡°I know I heard something in here!¡± A guard''s voice could be heard. He stomped around the room a little, in what was no doubt a cursory manner.


    ¡°No you didn''t, man! Aint no reason for someone to be in here. And aint nothin disturbed either! I bet one of the girls in the kitchen dropped a plate or somethin'' happens all the time.¡± The second man''s voice sneered at the world girl. As though the young kitchen staff were both idiots and beneath notice.


    Right now Elwin felt nothing but gratitude for his laziness, although ordinarily his attitude would have bothered him.


    ¡°What if someone was trying to get in from outside?¡± The first guard said.


    ¡°Then where are they, huh?¡± The second guard laughed. ¡°There''s tons of ways to get in the old vulture, this room right here would be my last idear.¡±


    ¡°Oh alright.¡± The first guard said. His footsteps seemed to be retreating farther away. ¡°Just trying to do my job.¡±


    ¡°You got a lot to learn!¡± The second guard said. ¡°You can tell that you''re the new guy, huh? Trying a bit too hard.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha.¡± the first guard said dryly. ¡°I''ll be sure to try and correct that.¡±


    The laughter from the both of them grew quieter as they left the room.


    And Elwin could finally breath again.


    ¡°Look.¡± Prin took his arm and turned him around.


    The sun was coming up on the courtyard outside.


    Soft light, the yellow of weak lemonade, kissed the lichen dressed stones of the wide stairway, and the crumbling statue of a prince to the side with its heavy crown having fallen to the ground and become all but buried in leaves of red and gold.


    Beyond all that, you could see the town below, receiving its wakeup call from the sun. As quaint as it could be, and smaller than it really was, like a children''s toy placed just so against the backdrop of ocean and mountains.


    Above, there was still a moon and stars out, far far away, but not yet hidden by the full strength of the sun.


    Elwin took the prince''s hand.


    ¡°Let''s go.¡± Prin took his stick and broke out the remaining glass of the window, before stepping through it and into the world.


    *


    ¡°What took you so long!?¡± Dolce glared at them from the driver''s seat of the borrowed carriage. It was the one used to bring vegetables and supplies in and out of the back of the castle, for use of the kitchen.


    Elwin helped Prin up onto the seat beside her, and he got into the back where the cargo went. He was relieved to see their bags were back there. ¡°I see you got our stuff. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a hundred years ago.¡± Dolce said, with an epic eyeroll present in her voice.


    ¡°I am sorry for the delay.¡± the prince said. ¡°It still takes me a long time to get from place to place. Although I''m getting better! I think.¡±


    ¡°Oh don''t you worry about it.¡± Dolce said. She guided the carriage away from the castle and urged the horses on to a good clip towards town. ¡°It''s my stupid brother who should have made sure you were on time. The importance was impressed on him yesterday.¡±


    ¡°We''re not that late.¡± Elwin pointed out from the back. He sat down beside his backpack.


    ¡°I told you ships don''t wait. What if there''s a traffic back up or some kind of accident, now we really don''t have the time for it.¡± Dolce scolded.


    So far, the road seemed fairly clear. Another carriage here or there but nothing out of the ordinary. And most importantly, nothing seemed to be following them from the castle.


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    Dolce drove them through town as the sun finished its trip into the sky, and then toward the docks. Finally stopping in front of a ship that, while still in the category of mid sized, was bigger than Elwin had thought it would be.


    It was a boat that had seen heavy wear, but was made in the good old fashioned way. Heavy varnished wood, with white and yellow paint that was worn away in spots, patched sails, and patched sailors, going up and down the gang plank to load the cargo. Built for sturdiness, if not for speed.


    ¡°This is the one.¡± Dolce said. ¡°Just a regular cargo ship. So not the most comfortable ride in the world but . . . inconspicuous.¡±


    Elwin got out of the back of the carriage with the luggage.


    The prince hugged Dolce tight. ¡°Thank you, little sister. You have no idea how important this is. And what it means to me that you helped. I shall never forget it.¡±


    ¡°S''okay.¡± Dolce patted his back awkwardly, having clearly not expected this. ¡°Just take care of my brother.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡± Prin said, he let go of her slowly.


    ¡°But don''t let him boss you around or give you a hard time, okay? He gets carried away sometimes and always thinks he''s right.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Elwin protested. ¡°Isn''t that the pot calling the kettle?¡±


    ¡°You.¡± Dolce pointed at Elwin. ¡°Take care of him too, but I know I don''t need to tell you that, do I.¡± Her voice softened. ¡°Come back and see me some time.¡±


    ¡°We will.¡± Elwin said, although he wasn''t sure if he was telling the truth or not. It seemed like the thing to say, anyway.


    He reached up for Prin and helped him out of the carriage''s high seat.


    ¡°Write to me when you get settled.¡± Dolce said sternly.


    ¡°You''d better go.¡± Elwin pointed out. ¡°You don''t want to be associated with this whole thing.¡± He gestured to himself and Prin, though of course she didn''t know the half of what she had associated herself with. And gods willing, never would.


    ¡°You just let me worry about that for myself.¡± Dolce harumphed. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± She asked Prin. ¡°Do you want to call it off?¡±


    Elwin looked at the prince who had fat tears rolling down both cheeks. He was looking up at the sky.


    ¡°It''s just so beautiful.¡± Prin said. He clutched Elwin''s arm, as though it were a beauty that were terrifying in its vastness, as though he were afraid he would fall up and up and up into the space above the blue, where the gods lived.


    ¡°You''re not supposed to look directly at the sun.¡± Elwin said gently. He put his hand over Prin''s eyes, when he seemed incapable of looking away. ¡°You''ll go blind. So they say.¡±


    An old man, wiry and strong looking, with broad shoulders, a long white beard and mustache, and a strange gait as though the ground itself were a horse he was trying to ride on, sort of low to the ground and straddling, ambled towards them from the ship.


    ¡°That''s Captain Beams.¡± Dolce pointed out. ¡°He''s pretty cool, but he runs a tight ship. Just do what he says and stay away from the edge of the boat.¡± She winked down at them. ¡°I better get out of here, before he tells you to forget it and makes me take you back home.¡±


    Dolce waved at the captain, before urging the horses to make the turn and heading back toward town.


    ¡°She didn''t even say goodbye to me.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°She''s too sad.¡± the prince said. He squeezed Elwin''s hand. ¡°I know it was asking a lot, for her to give you to me.¡±


    Elwin looked at him in surprise, not knowing how to respond to that.


    He didn''t even have to, because Captain Beams was motioning them over.


    Elwin grabbed the bags and put his arm around Prin. The two of them walked like that, with some effort to where the captain was standing.


    Captain Beams looked them up and down, his mustache frowning for him, since you couldn''t see his mouth.


    ¡°The girl said you were strong young men who could work.¡± the captain said. ¡°Else I wouldn''t have agreed to take you on with me.¡±


    ¡°We can work!¡± Prin said. ¡°Please give us a chance!¡± He wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve.


    The old captain snapped one of his suspenders thoughtfully and scratched his head.


    Elwin really hoped that the old man had a weakness for cute things. Or at least really owed Dolce a favor.


    ¡°My friend is recovering from a long illness.¡± He said. ¡°But I promise that I will do whatever needs doing without complaint.¡±


    ¡°We need to get to the next port.¡± Prin said. ¡°I can work. Maybe not just anything but I will do whatever I can do. Also without complaining.¡±


    Captain Beams looked from one to the other. ¡°Recovering from an illness?¡±


    ¡°Nothing contagious!¡± Prin hastened to say.


    ¡°Maybe the sea air will do you good.¡± The captain looked from one to the other of them assessingly. ¡°And you.¡± He pointed at Elwin. ¡°Will work twice as hard to pick up the slack.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin agreed readily.


    The old captain shrugged. ¡°Alright then, whatever. Follow me.¡± He led the two boys onto his ship. Showing them around along the way.


    He took them inside the ship and showed them a little room, no bigger than a storage closet. ¡°You can stay in here. Keep the door locked while you sleep.¡± He gave Prin a look. ¡°You be careful, as some of these salty sumbitches can get a little funny in the head when they see something pretty. And you,¡± He slapped Elwin on the shoulder. ¡°You look like you can take care of yourself. Just watch who you turn your back on.¡± He laughed. ¡°I make ''em sound worse than they are. Talk to Squeaks, he''s the cabin boy, he can tell ya which ones to watch out for.¡±


    Elwin looked at Prin, he really hoped to hell that this whole thing hadn''t been a huge mistake. From the sound of things, and the sudden thump that sent vibrations through the ship, the plank was being put away and they were about to take off. Soon it would be too late forever.


    The prince''s face was calm and determined.


    Clearly there was no turning back.

 Chapter Nineteen

    After stowing their bags in the small room, which they would come to discover was the height of privilege to even get, the tour was continued and the boys were shown where they would be expected to spend most of their time.


    They were taken down below, where the coal was shoveled into the ships hungry red-hot guts. Soon to be with Elwin''s assistance. It did look like a hot and miserable job, but at least nothing that demanded any special expertise. Which was good since he had none.


    Then the captain took them to the ship''s galley. By this point Prin was already looking pale and fatigued, if not positively green around the gills. But if he was seasick he was trying hard not to react to it.


    There was a figure bent over a huge bin of potatoes. His brown hair was down over his eyes and his nervous hands more fidgeted with the potato he was holding, then actually peeled it. Elwin immediately recognized this as Squeaks.


    ¡°I hope ya like potatoes.¡± The captain smacked Prin in the shoulder and laughed.


    The prince managed only a queasy little smile, neither confirming nor denying his fondness for tubers.


    ¡°I wasted enough time with you lot.¡± Captain Beams said. ¡°You.¡± he pointed at Elwin. ¡°Head back to your station, there''s coal to shovel.¡±


    ¡°I don''t-- we shouldn''t be split up.¡± Elwin said.


    The captain gave him a hard stare. ¡°You''ll be split up plenty fast when I throw one of yous into the ocean.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Prin waved Elwin away. ¡°It''s fine.¡± He sat down on one of the bolted down wooden benches, propping up his stick against the table.


    ¡°I''ll check on you later.¡± Elwin said softly. Every ounce of his better judgement screamed that this was a bad idea, but what choice did he have?


    *


    The prince trusted that whatever came up, Elwin could handle it. He knew this feeling wasn''t mutual, but ah well, El would just have to live with the worry for the next few days. Or however long this ship journey would take. Wait, how long was this boat ride supposed to be?


    Prin watched Squeaks peel potatoes, though it looked like it was harder for him then it should be, the prince knew there was no way he could do it better. He was definitely being stared at, through mousey strands of hair.


    ¡°So,¡± Prin asked tentatively. ¡°How long does it take to reach the first port?¡±


    Squeaks looked around, head going exaggeratedly side to side, as though confirming that they were indeed alone was of the utmost importance. ¡°''bout a week, sometimes ten days.¡± his words were halting and his accent a bit hard to decipher, or rather, you had to really concentrate.


    ¡°Ah, that long then? But I guess it could be worse.¡± the prince said.


    ¡°Thars plenny long enough for things to get bad.¡± Squeaks assured him. ¡°One time we got in the middle of this big storm, right as we were pulling out of port . . .¡± He continued staring at Prin, no doubt taking in the paleness of his face and not knowing how much of it could be attributed to fear and how much sea sickness. Prin didn''t even know, himself. ¡°Never mind.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°What''s your name?¡±


    ¡°Well . . . they call me Prin, which isn''t really my name but, what''s the difference anyway?¡± The prince said. ¡°I''m sure Squeaks isn''t really your name either.¡±


    ¡°Nah, but it''s okay. I got used to it.¡± Squeaks said, looking shyly back down at his potatoes.


    ¡°How long have you worked on this ship?¡± the prince asked.


    ¡°Th-this one? Two years. I think.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°But I''ll never be leaving. Even my ghost will haunt this place.¡±


    Prin struggled for a long moment to come up with a response to that. Nothing was appropriate. ¡°Would you like some help with those?¡± He shifted uncomfortably on the hard bench, his stomach lurching and rolling with every capricious dip in the ocean.


    Squeaks nodded his head. He got up and pulled a second small knife from a latched cabinet. ¡°You''re not gonna bleed on the taters are ya?¡± He asked, preparing to hand over the knife but withholding it for a moment dependent on Prin''s answer.


    ¡°Well, not if you show me how to do it right so I don''t hurt myself.¡± the prince smiled wide through his queasiness. He needed all the friends he could get right now, and it definitely seemed like this boy did too. ¡°I''ll be depending on you!¡±


    Squeaks'' face turned red, what of it you could see through the hair anyway. ¡°No ''count depending on me for nothing. I guess I could show you how to peel taters though.¡± He handed over the extra knife and put his hand on Prin''s, positioning his fingers correctly around the hilt. ¡°Hold it like this, and the tater like this. See? Wait, you aint gonna throw up on them are you?¡±


    ¡°I''ll try my damnedest not to.¡± Prin said, not making any promises.


    The morning passed with more awkward silence then not. The prince concentrated hard on the task at hand, only managing to cut himself just a little and missing the potatoes handily with any blood droplets (thank you very much). Every time he looked up Squeaks was staring at him. Like maybe he wanted to say something. Or maybe not.


    His hands got very cold and cramped. And, although wrapped in strips of rags, his small cuts were beginning to sting as though salt were getting in them.


    ¡°Squeaks.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Squeaks asked timidly. Prin did not have to look up to see if he was looking at him, since he never had stopped.


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± the prince felt like shouting it from the top of the ship''s mast but managed to somehow hold his volume down so as not to sound like a crazy person.


    ¡°You.¡± Squeaks said.


    Prin sighed. At least he wasn''t trying to hide it. He put the potato and knife down and massaged his hands. ¡°I''m sorry.¡±


    ¡°No need ter be sorry.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°It''s just . . . the cap''n told us you lot was some kind of important people and we should all play nice wiff you.¡±


    ¡°He did?¡± the prince wondered what Dolce had told the captain, or if he had somehow figured out exactly who they were. He seemed like an astute old man. Still, so was Dolce, and Prin chose to imagine that she had come up with a reasonable lie that would improve their odds on the ship without giving everything away. After all, what merchant ship would take off with a prince? If you knew what you were doing you could get into a lot of trouble. He imagined.


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    ¡°And I was kinda wondering what kind of important person you was. But I didn''t like to say it.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Actually that aint even haff of it. The real story is, I just thought you was the most loveliest person I ever seen in my life.¡±


    Prin could feel him look away finally, and sure enough when he raised his head from staring down at his poor hands, Squeaks was looking away into the corner of the room, his face bright red once again.


    Prin could feel his own face heat up. ¡°Well . . . what do looks mean anyway? It''s an accident of birth and doesn''t tell much about the person.¡± He had trouble believing this was even true, although the kid had said it with sincerity. Prin had always just assumed that he was ugly, but maybe that''s because he had felt so miserable most of the time he had assumed that he had looked like he felt. But he was starting to think that he had made a lot of assumptions about what things were facts in life that simply weren''t true. That, and Squeaks had apparently not seen very many people in his life.


    Prin popped another slice of raw potato into his mouth, it didn''t have much of a taste but the crunch was nice, like eating an apple. And he supposed he had nervous hunger, though it had to be close to lunch time come to think of it.


    ¡°You think so?¡± Squeaks asked.


    ¡°I know it.¡± the prince said.


    ¡°You''re a nice person too.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°So, I fink maybe your looks does tell sumfing about you, but maybe it aint true every time.¡± He nodded. ¡°Since you are nice, it don''t seem right not telling you, you shouldn''t be eating them raw taters.¡±


    ¡°Why not, am I going to get in trouble with the captain?¡± Prin wondered, it was the first time this had occurred to him. But he supposed the food may be tightly accounted for on a ship.


    ¡°Nar, it aint that. They''re poison.¡± Squeaks said seriously. ¡°You eat one too many of them, and you don''t know which one it''ll be, and boom, your guts fall right out your arse and you die. ''Course cooking them takes the poison out.¡±


    Prin''s mouth fell open and the partially chewed bite of potato fell right out and onto the floor with a plop. ¡°Wh-why didn''t you tell me earlier?¡± he gasped out. He felt cold all over. Was the poison working on him already? Was Squeaks just watching him all day to see when he would fall over and croak?


    Squeaks doubled over in his chair and the loudest clear laughter, like it came from all around the room and not his little hunched over body, filled the air. ¡°You should see the look on yer face!¡±


    The prince stared agog for a long moment before he figured out he''d been had.


    ¡°How does it look now?¡± Prin asked, sticking his tongue out and wrinkling up his nose at the offending prankster.


    This just produced further gales of laughter, and Squeaks looked like he might fall off the bench.


    Just then the door swung open and one of the sailors came in and went to the counter, helping himself to a mug of hot soup that was simmering. Squeaks stopped laughing immediately and picked up a potato and got back to work.


    Prin picked his potato up too and tried to look busy until the man left with his soup, in case he was someone in charge.


    ¡°We don''t really have lunchtime, see? People just help theirself if they''re hungry.¡± Squeaks said quietly, voice barely above a whisper.


    Once the sailor had gone, the prince decided he might as well go back to stealing food if it wasn''t going to kill him, he raised another bit of potato towards his mouth.


    Squeaks put his hand on Prin''s arm to stop him. ¡°It really wheel give you stomach cramps, some people.¡± He informed. ¡°Lemme get you some soup.¡±


    *


    Elwin was exhausted. He had no idea what time it was, it could have been two hours or twenty since he had started his labors. Being in the bowels of the ship, there was no daylight anyway, and certainly no pleasant view to look upon, such as the sky.


    The other men seemed to be treating him alright, or if they weren''t Elwin was too busy to notice.


    He wanted to fall down and just stay on the floor, letting the other men walk around him in their heavy shoes. Or just walk on him. At this point, who really cared?


    Elwin''s hands were red and swollen but they didn''t really hurt yet, just felt hot.


    Finally, a man with long white hair in a ponytail, that seemed to belie his age, and a weather beaten canvas jacket, came over and took the shovel from Elwin. He laughed good naturedly as he did so.


    ¡°We were just waiting to see how long you would keep going.¡± The man said. ¡°But you aint half bad kid, I didn¡¯t think you were ever gonna quit.¡±


    ¡°I can keep going.¡± Elwin said. His voice, even to himself sounded dead and lifeless.


    ¡°Well it''s shift change time.¡± The white haired man said. ¡°And you must be hungry and tired. Even though you''re young, no one expects you to have the energy of a god, okay?¡± He laughed again, like this was the most delicious joke. ¡°Let''s get some supper.¡± He suggested, ushering Elwin towards the stairs.


    ¡°I don''t need to eat, I''m just tired.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Yes, yes you do.¡± the man insisted.


    ¡°Prin!¡± Elwin suddenly remembered, getting a renewed surge of energy. He had left Prin to his own devices all day long, which hadn''t been his original intentions at all. He had planned to sneak back to the galley as soon as he was able to check up on him.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± the white haired man asked.


    ¡°My friend is in the kitchen.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Good thing that''s where we''re headed,¡± The man said. ¡°I''m Mac by the way.¡±


    ¡°El, Elwin.¡± Elwin said. He hoped Prin was alright. Would he still be in the kitchen after all this time? Walking around on the deck, it was almost completely dark, and it had been just after dawn when they had boarded the ship. His hands hurt.


    Unlike this morning, the ship''s galley was bustling with people. Elwin wasn''t sure how many men worked on this boat, but it was clear that they all couldn''t eat at one time. Though not for lack of trying. He muscled his way through the stinking men (he surely didn''t smell like a peach himself after the day he had), to the far side of the room where Squeaks and a man in a chef''s hat were dolling out food. Suddenly he got a bad feeling and his head darted side to side frantically looking for Prin.


    ¡°He done really good today.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°But affer a while he had enough fun and had to go lay down.¡± He grabbed a plate and plopped some food down for Elwin. ¡°He were a bit worried about you but too tired to go a lookin.¡±


    Elwin winced. ¡°I lost track of time.¡±


    Squeaks nodded sagely. ¡°It don''t have much meaning when yer on a ship. And then you die.¡±


    ¡°Shut up you!¡± The chef elbowed him in the ribs. ¡°This little rat''s always saying things that put people off their feed, never mind him.¡± He told Elwin.


    Elwin took a couple bites quickly and a swig of the drink he was offered. He almost spit it out when it turned out to be beer, but after the surprise wore off . . . When in Rome. He wanted to make his way back to the prince at top speeds but he was also aware he had to try and keep his strength up. If both of them pooped out and went to bed mid shift, they may truly be tossed overboard by the captain. Or at least yelled at. Hopefully yelled at.


    Elwin scarfed his food and drink down quickly and headed with difficulty back out the door, using any skills he possessed to rebuff attempts at conversation as well as move people physically aside without starting a fight.


    He made his way back to the little room and opened the door, which was unlocked. Damnit, hadn''t the captain warned of keeping the door locked? He would have to scold Prin about it, it was too important.


    Those thoughts flew out the window when he saw the prince curled up on the little bed, more of a cot really, but attached to the wall. He was still fully dressed including the boots and his face was scrunched up with discomfort or bad dreams. His poor hands were dressed with bandages made of old rags. He had clearly over done it. Of course, Elwin was guilty of that one himself.


    He lit the little oil lamp, with light from the hall, before closing and bolting the door behind him.


    Prin awoke with the shutting of the door. He squinted up at Elwin, a relieved smile gracing his face. He propped his head up on his hand.


    ¡°Oh, Elwin, how did it go?¡± His voice slurred with exhaustion, and Elwin knew he was no better off himself so he preferred to avoid much conversation.


    ¡°It went okay.¡± He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled his boots off with difficulty, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I dunno.¡± The prince said, but he was still smiling up at Elwin, glad to see him.


    ¡°Then we are about in the same boat.¡± Elwin laughed weakly at his unintended pun, and the prince joined him.


    Soon they were both doubled up in painful delirious laughter that took a while to subside.


    ¡°Can I take these off for you?¡± Elwin pulled the tall boots off of Prin without waiting for an answer.


    ¡°Does that mean I have to put them back on in the morning?¡± Prin asked, making a face.


    ¡°Well, you could always peel potatoes bare footed.¡± Elwin teased.


    The prince, too tired to laugh any more, pulled Elwin down beside him. And there they slept, curled up in a space more suited for one person, still dressed in their sweaty clothes, lulled to sleep almost instantly by the rock a bye swaying of the sea.

 Chapter Twenty

    Bang. Bang. Bang.


    Elwin woke suddenly to being shot at by a cannon. And surely at least one cannonball had hit its mark, based on the way he was feeling. He sat up suddenly.


    Prin, who had been laying half on top of him, received an even harsher wake up call by falling to the floor.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Elwin looked over the edge of the bed, and at first he thought that the prince had stayed asleep or even been knocked out by the fall. But no, his wide eyes blinked silently up at Elwin like a blue-eyed owl. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Elwin said. He reached down and helped him back up onto the bed. Fortunately, it had not been much distance to fall.


    ¡°Get up you two! Get to work!¡± The voice hollered from outside their door.


    ¡°Just a minute!¡± Elwin called back. ¡°We¡¯re up!¡±


    Heavy footsteps walked away without a further word or knock.


    Prin rubbed his eyes. His hands were red and swollen, and he was pale with deep shadows under both eyes. ¡°What happened?¡± he wondered. ¡°Where am I?¡±


    As Elwin had feared, this was too much too soon for the delicate prince. However, now that they were in the thick of it, there was really nothing for it but to go through it and out the other end.


    ¡°You¡¯re on a boat.¡± Elwin said gently, he pulled Prin into his arms. It was then that he realized his own hands were bright red and covered in blisters. They were a fine pair, the two of them.


    ¡°A boat!?¡± Prin pulled away quickly and then relaxed against Elwin. ¡°Oh right, a boat.¡±


    Elwin disentangled himself from the prince and stood up, groaning as every muscle and bone in his body protested. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you some breakfast and something to drink, you just stay here and rest.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t we have to work?¡± Prin asked. He shuffled his feet against the wooden planks of the floor. ¡°My feet hurt.¡±


    ¡°Mine too.¡± Elwin agreed. He stretched, as best he could in the cramped space. ¡°This is awful.¡± It was even worse than he had imagined it, and he had imagined it to be pretty bad. ¡°You aren¡¯t going anywhere though, I think you have had too much work already. I know you really tried. . .¡±


    Prin frowned up at him and grabbed one of his boots. ¡°The hell you say, if you¡¯re working, I¡¯m working too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not ¨C That¡¯s not a good idea!¡± Elwin protested. ¡°You look terrible, I mean, you look like you feel terrible. I¡¯m worried about you.¡± He could tell that he was using the completely wrong approach, that any chance of getting his own way was slipping by him, and not only that but he was pissing the prince off to boot. Not his intention at all. He sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°You too.¡± Prin said, still frowning. His dark eyebrows knitting together in consternation. ¡°You look like a mess, and your hands are all blistered. I think I¡¯m in better shape then you are. Maybe you should be the one to stay here and rest.¡± He pulled on his boot defiantly.


    On the wrong foot, but with grand defiance.


    Prin winced, trying to hide it.


    Elwin bent down and pulled off the offending boot, replacing it on the correct foot. ¡°There¡¯s a left and a right to these things.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± Prin said.


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. You¡¯re seldom wrong about anything.¡± Elwin said.


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    Prin nodded, agreeing but not appeased.


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t really matter if I¡¯m tired or sore or my hands are messed up. I did promise to work for our passage.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And I intend to keep the promise.¡± He sat down and put his own shoes on, although they barely liked to go over his swollen feet.


    ¡°I feel the same way.¡± Prin put on his other boot, the guess work taken out of it now that there was only one left. ¡°At least as long as I can . . .¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all you can do!¡± Elwin said, hoping he would decide that he had reached his limit sooner rather then later.


    ¡°There¡¯s no use arriving on the other side dead.¡± Prin said, wrinkling his nose and making an exaggerated expression of disgust that was actually pretty cute.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I promise I will know when to quit, and make myself do it. I promise if you will.¡± Elwin said. He couldn¡¯t help but smile, even though he didn¡¯t know where it came from.


    ¡°I promise.¡± Prin said solemnly.


    ¡°Can I kiss you?¡± Elwin asked suddenly. He hadn¡¯t expected himself to ask it, or even to want to, but he did.


    Prin met his eyes, with his own, wide and startled. ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask me.¡±


    Elwin leaned close, at the last second veering from his lips and letting the kiss come in for a landing on Prin¡¯s forehead decorated with sweat plastered curls.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡± He said softly.


    After a brief breakfast in the galley, the two of them parted ways.


    Prin settled back in, across the table from Squeaks. With a huge barrel of potatoes between them.


    ¡°Are there not any left from yesterday?¡± the prince wondered, with a, mostly, involuntary grimace.


    ¡°Nar.¡± Said Squeaks. ¡°They be eating anything what¡¯s cooked.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t really a serious question.¡± Prin sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t the men ever get tired of potatoes?¡±


    This time Squeaks just stared at him silently. It was remarkable how he never brushed aside the hair that fell over his face, just peered through it while it hung there. Hiding.


    The prince wondered what his face looked like. He picked up a potato and got to work. ¡°You must think I¡¯m a brat, I¡¯ll bet.¡±


    Squeaks shook his head. ¡°Everyone struggles wiff it at first. That¡¯s life innit? One big struggle after another, on and on.¡±


    ¡°And then you die. I got it.¡± Prin said. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about something nice. What kind of books do you like to read? I like fantasy mostly, and adventure, romance is all right too if it¡¯s not too cheesy. But really I¡¯ll read anything if I get a chance.¡±


    ¡°Oh you like to read, do ya?¡± Squeaks said, the beginnings of a smile at the corner of his mouth. ¡°There really aint much books on the ship. I¡¯ll tell ya what¡¯s good reading, letters.¡± The grin spread across his face and he leaned forward, sharing a little secret over an ungodly mass of potatoes. ¡°Some ¡®em writes some real juicy ones back home. It¡¯s a little harder to get ahold of the mail that answers back, could be waiting at any port innit? It¡¯s doable though, if you got determination.¡±


    The prince leaned back, horrified by the invasion of privacy but at the same time intrigued, as much by what this revelation said about his new friend as by the potential content of the letters.


    ¡°I-How would you like it if someone read your letters?¡± Prin asked. He didn¡¯t know what else to say.


    Squeaks shrugged. ¡°I never did have any.¡±


    ¡°How do you even do it?¡± The prince wondered. Now that he had expressed, however mildly, his disapproval, he felt free to move on to the real questions.


    ¡°I usually just sneaks. I¡¯m the one that collects the mail and takes it to the post master at port.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°So it aint hard. Now, another way you could do it, is offer to read letters or write them down for someone. ¡®cause a lot o them don¡¯t even know their alphabets. But, that lets ¡®em know you can read.¡± He tapped the side of his head. ¡°Which maybe you don¡¯t wants ¡®em knowing.¡±


    Prin nodded, mulling over the apparent wisdom in pretending stupid. ¡°You want to be underestimated.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Learning don¡¯t impress no one here anyway. It¡¯s not like it would make ¡®em respect ya.¡±


    The prince nodded. ¡°I¡¯m still not so sure it¡¯s right to read other people¡¯s private correspondence but tell me, what is the craziest thing you¡¯ve read?¡± It occurred to him that all of this might be great fodder for future stories of his own, and he didn¡¯t want to waste the opportunity.


    ¡°Whale, that depends on what flavor a crazy you¡¯re talkin¡¯ about.¡± Squeaks teased. ¡°This one fellar was writin¡¯ letters to his wife and also the lady he was a cheatin¡¯ on her wiff. And the lady he was cheatin¡¯ wiff was pregnant.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s scandalous, but not so unusual I would think. I mean, it¡¯s bound to happen sometimes.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°The lady was his wife¡¯s . . . . mother!¡± Squeaks told it like a natural born storyteller, drawing out the suspense.


    ¡°No! How is that possible?¡± The prince wondered.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°It¡¯s possible. And it happen.¡± He gave a little self-satisfied smirk. ¡°That¡¯s just the tip of the iceberg on the stories I got.¡±


    ¡°Seems in poor taste to mention ice bergs while on a large boat.¡± Prin looked around superstitiously, as though an iceberg were spying on them right that very moment.


    ¡°Eh, this one aint so big.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Wait till I tell you about this other sailor who kilt his ¨C¡±


    Before Prin could hear the scintillating details of who was killed, the galley door swung open.

 Chapter 21

    It was a bit of an odd time, as breakfast had long since passed but it was not yet time for men to start trickling in to see what soup was on to boil for lunch. However, there didn¡¯t seem to be any hard and fast rules about people coming and going from the galley, so the sound of the door opening didn¡¯t seem like any cause for alarm.


    So, Prin was surprised when he looked up from his potatoes, and before he even had a chance to turn around and see who had entered, Squeaks had disappeared into the pantry. Maybe he just thought of something he had forgotten in there?


    The prince turned around, potato in hand, so as to look busy. The man in the doorway looked nice enough. An older man, but not old, despite white-silver hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. If anything he was a little cleaner and more put together then most of the men on the ship (the thought gave Prin an unpleasant reminder of his own current state). His eyes were lively, and he smiled at Prin as though he were just the person he had come to see.


    Prin smiled back. He wondered if this was the first mate, and hoped he wouldn¡¯t go back to the captain and tell him that they had been slacking off instead of peeling potatoes. Well, they were peeling them but perhaps not with the level of dedication that they should have done.


    ¡°Hello.¡± Prin said.


    The man sat down on the long bench beside Prin. ¡°You must be Prin.¡± He said.


    ¡°Must I? I mean, that¡¯s right!¡± The prince said, startled.


    ¡°Your friend told me about you.¡± The man said. ¡°And there aren¡¯t that many new faces on board. I¡¯m Mac.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±


    Mac took Prin¡¯s hand in his and shook it gently. ¡°Your poor hands.¡± He held onto Prin¡¯s hand and examined it carefully like it was an object of art. Like a glass paperweight or a dog carved from a gemstone. ¡°They aren¡¯t used to this kind of work, are they. You have such long fingers.¡± Mac rolled one of Prin¡¯s fingers in his, feeling the bones beneath. ¡°Do you play piano?¡±


    ¡°I ¨C¡± the prince felt uncomfortable, although he wasn¡¯t sure why. His innate politeness fought with his desire to jerk his hand away and reclaim it. ¡°No. I always did want to learn a musical instrument, but I¡¯ve never so much as touched a piano.¡± It would have been difficult to get it into a room at the top of a stone tower, he supposed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a pity, you would be great at it. These are the hands of a musician.¡± Mac finally looked away from his hand, although he continued casually holding it. His eyes bore into Prin¡¯s, they were some kind of stormy color. ¡°How long will you be with us? On the ship?¡±


    ¡°Just until the next port.¡± Prin said. He hoped more and more that the next port would appear sooner then expected.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Mac looked disappointed. ¡°Maybe before that time comes you will change your mind and stay longer.¡± He stood up abruptly, kissing Prin¡¯s knuckles before he released his hand. And before Prin had a chance to protest. ¡°I had better get back to work. Unless you want to come back with me to my bunk first?¡±


    Prin could feel his brow wrinkle in concentration, trying to parse what this guy was about. It wasn¡¯t working, and he felt stupid.


    ¡°To get some salve for your poor cut hands.¡± Mac offered. ¡°What did you think I meant?¡±


    ¡°I already have some. Thank you.¡± The prince said. He felt like he was being made fun of, or something and it was annoying not to be in on the joke.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you later then.¡± Mac waved as he left again through the galley door. ¡°Definitely be seeing you later.¡±


    It occurred to Prin that the man had come into the room with nothing and left again with nothing. Had he forgotten what he came in for?


    As soon as the door had swung shut behind him, Squeaks reappeared almost as if by magic.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I wasn¡¯t goin¡¯ to really leave you alone wiff him!¡± Squeaks, finally lived up to his namesake and squeaked out this reassurance. His face was red between the dark strands of hair like a curtain. ¡°I just hadta hide, I just can¡¯t take none o him. But if it came down to it, I woulda jumped out and save you.¡± He sat back down across from Prin, in his usually perch, but leaned in close. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Whoa.¡± The prince held up his hands. ¡°Why are you sorry? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you didn¡¯t go wiff him, I thought for a minute maybe you didn¡¯t know no better, And I was beating myself up for not helpin¡¯ ya know what to do if he came around.¡±


    ¡°I did think he was strange.¡± Prin admitted. Even so, Squeaks reaction seemed over the top.


    Squeaks tilted his head to the side and regarded the prince. He took deep breaths for a moment, until some of his usual measure of morbid calm had returned.


    ¡°You knowed what he was after, right?¡± Squeaks asked.


    Prin thought about this, not wanting to appear as stupid as he felt. There was no helping it. ¡°Not a clue.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± Squeaks nodded. ¡°I thought you¡¯n that good lookin¡¯ fella that you come on the ship with was a couple and so¡¯s you woulda known all about this stuff. But it ¡®pears I misjudged the situation, and you¡¯re an innocent. How old are ya?¡±


    Even though Squeaks had seemed to be putting that as gently as he knew how, Prin felt his cheeks grow hot. So, an innocent, was he? And how was an innocent any different then an idiot? But he still didn¡¯t really understand what was going on, so he could hardly protest. ¡°Seventeen.¡±


    Squeaks gave him an assessing look. ¡°Nuffing to be ashamed about, you¡¯re just luckier than most is all. So, I¡¯ll tell ye. That man is the low downest sailor on this ship. There are others you gotta look out for, but that one is the worst. If he gets ye alone, he¡¯s gonna hurt ye bad. He won¡¯t kill ya, but ye¡¯ll wisht he did. How come I knows it, is he went after me when I first started workin¡¯ on this ship. He only got me oncet though. ¡®cause I aint stupid as I look.¡±


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Prin chewed on his lower lip, ¡°I¡¯m sorry that happened.¡± He looked over his shoulder, suddenly paranoid that the man was still there somehow, lurking.


    ¡°I¡¯m tough, s¡¯okay.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Point is, you never be alone wiff him, yaknow?¡± He gave Prin a pointed look, waiting for him to acknowledge this.


    ¡°I understand.¡± Prin said solemnly.


    ¡°He¡¯s gonna bat his eyelashes at you and be all charmin¡¯ and offer you fings.¡± Squeaks warned. ¡°That¡¯s how ¡®e gets ya. But no matter what he offers, it aint worth it. I don¡¯t wanna ¡®splain all the details what he done, cause I don¡¯t think I need to. I think you get the pitcher.¡±


    ¡°I-I get it.¡± Prin said, unnerved. Part of him wanted to ask for all the gory details, but on the other hand he didn¡¯t want to know. What if it was even worse then the things he was imagining? ¡°Are you really okay?¡± He asked.


    ¡°¡¯course I am.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I had to scare ya like that. I just, kinder likes ya. And I don¡¯t wanna see ya get hurt. If I didn¡¯t like ya . . .¡± He shrugged, as though to say, those he didn¡¯t like were on their own. They could fend for themselves, or walk into the ocean for all he cared.


    The prince was grateful to be liked in this instance. ¡°Thank you. Friends have to watch out for each other.¡±


    Squeaks gave him a shy little smile. ¡°Yar.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± Prin asked, seriously, leaning forward in his seat, potatoes all but forgotten.


    ¡°Sure ya can.¡± Squeaks said. Somehow Prin knew in that moment he could have asked him anything at all in the world.


    ¡°That fella in the letter, who did he kill?¡± Prin asked.


    *


    When they met back up in their cabin, on the evening of day two (only two!?), Elwin felt like his mind was not all there. Was he more exhausted then yesterday, or about the same? He couldn¡¯t even think any more. The blisters had burst on his hands, leaving them raw. He barely wanted to touch the doorknob.


    Elwin didn¡¯t even have to, because no sooner then he reached the door, Prin opened it. As though he sensed him there.


    ¡°Hi.¡± Prin said, with a shy smile.


    ¡°Hi.¡± Elwin smiled back with some effort. He went into the cabin and sat with a thump on the hard cot. ¡°Bleh.¡± He put his head in his hands, despite the pain of doing so, barely able to hold it up anymore.


    ¡°Yeah, that about sums it up.¡± The prince agreed.


    Elwin could feel him sit down beside him. The slight weight of him impacting the thin mattress, the presence of him quiet as a whisper, comfortable as a ghost. Warm.


    Elwin reached out and put his arm around Prin. It was nice to feel that he was solid and really there, so not like a ghost after all.


    The cabin shifted back and forth gently, the smell of dust, candle wax, and old wood a subtle accompaniment to the stronger smells of salty sea air and sweat that seemed to blend together.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, I just need a minute.¡± Elwin said, his words muffled by the hand he rested his face on.


    ¡°I was thinking today.¡± Prin said. ¡°That today and yesterday were probably the longest stretches we have ever gone without seeing each other. It felt strange.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, don¡¯t get used to it.¡± Elwin teased. ¡°It¡¯s temporary.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. You know why? Because in the past I would have been so scared and worried but now, I knew you would come back to me.¡± Prin said. ¡°I was lonely for you but I knew I would see you again soon. I had confidence.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s-That¡¯s good.¡± Elwin said, feeling a lump in his throat. He sat up straight and looked at his prince.


    Prin was still too thin and pale, with those ever deepening circles under his eyes, but there was a radiance coming from him. Like someone in their last moments, about to do something dangerous and self-sacrificing. But cool.


    Elwin pulled him closer. ¡°You alright?¡±


    ¡°I think so.¡± Prin said. ¡°How about you?¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I mean, yes. I¡¯m tough, I can handle it.¡± He smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way, though he wasn¡¯t sure how much he was pulling it off. He wondered if there was a washroom facility on the ship, because by the end of the week they would smell as bad as the rest of their shipmates, and he wasn¡¯t sure if he could handle that. Or maybe they would be noseblind to it by that point.


    ¡°Oh. I want to talk to you about something.¡± The prince said. ¡°Oh my gods, your poor hands!¡± He took Elwin¡¯s hands and looked them over. ¡°We have to do something about this. Hang on.¡± He picked up one of their bags from beside the bed and rummaged around in it.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it looks.¡± Elwin lied. ¡°Whatever you put on it won¡¯t stay on anyway.¡±


    ¡°I have to try though.¡± Prin pulled out the pot of salve and rubbed the medicine on Elwin¡¯s sore hands. ¡°Does it feel better?¡±


    ¡°It does.¡± Elwin said. ¡°How do you know how to do this?¡±


    Prin laughed. ¡°I¡¯ve been on the other side of it enough, haven¡¯t I? Don¡¯t you think I picked up a thing or two?¡±


    Elwin smiled at him. ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    Prin wound long cloth bandages around both of Elwin¡¯s hands. ¡°I know it won¡¯t stay on, but maybe just for tonight?¡±


    ¡°What did you want to talk about?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Just . . . You know . . .¡± Prin looked like he was having a hard time talking about something.


    Elwin didn¡¯t have the energy to pry it out of him so he was just silent, waiting it out, hoping he would manage whatever it was he was trying to say.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to think, that I think you need me to tell you this or anything.¡± The prince said. ¡°Just I wanted to make sure you are being careful around these men, as some of them are criminals. And I know you can take care of yourself, and you are strong, but I want you to stay safe.¡± Prin let out the breath he had been holding in a long gust, relieved to have released his warning. ¡°Especially when we aren¡¯t together to watch out for each other.¡± He gave Elwin a sheepish smile.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Elwin felt his heart sink down past his stomach and all the way out through the bottoms of his sore feet. Is this why Prin had looked strange and seemed to be dancing around what he was trying to say? Had something bad happened that he didn¡¯t want to come right out and tell him about? ¡°You have to tell me.¡± He must have looked intense, as Prin backed away from him slightly.


    ¡°Nothing happened, nothing at all.¡± The prince said. ¡°I just got worried, is all. Probably paranoid from being tired.¡±


    ¡°I worry about you too.¡± Elwin said, ¡°I have to trust that you would tell me if something bad happened. Or else I could never leave you alone for a second.¡± Which, nothing would please me more, but it¡¯s not exactly a real option at the moment. He added, not speaking it aloud.


    ¡°It¡¯s just . . . A man was acting a little bit . . . odd today. And Squeaks told me . . .¡± Here Prin paused, seeming to weigh his words carefully. ¡°That the man was bad and violent. And I got worried . . . Not so much for myself, because now I know? But worried for you that you would be lured into a private area of the ship and someone would try to hurt you. Not that I think you would be so . . . it¡¯s just . . . It felt like an important warning and I wanted you to be careful.¡±


    ¡°You met a creep, and your first instinct was to worry about ME?¡± Elwin asked, incredulous. He was too charmed by the thought that someone would care about him and fret over him, and that someone was his prince, to be insulted by the implications.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Prin said. ¡°I wished I could talk to you about it instantly.¡± He fidgeted in his seat. ¡°I almost went looking for you, but I didn¡¯t want us to get in trouble. I know the captain said something about us needing to be careful about the men. But frankly, I thought he was just teasing.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I mean, you have to wonder what kind of people take on a job like this, do you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°You do?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°People without a lot of other options.¡± Elwin said. ¡°People who may have been driven out of wherever it was that they came from. Who else would do it?¡±


    The prince held up his finger, his eyes alight with epiphany. ¡°People who love the sea!¡±

 Chapter 22

    Day three on the ship dawned over a restless night of sleep. Elwin had barely been able to close his eyes, at first, from the worry over what exactly had happened with Prin. He had clearly been sugar coating, or watering down the story, at the very least.


    Eventually exhaustion had got the better of him and he finally fell into a fitful rest. At least his arm was around Prin and he knew that he was safe, for the moment anyway.


    He was half awake already when the door was pounded on, but was startled nonetheless. ¡°We got it, thank you!¡± He called out quickly, stopping the knocking after the first head jarring pound.


    The prince groaned a little and nuzzled his head into Elwin¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s that time once again.¡± Elwin said reluctantly. ¡°Let¡¯s go get some breakfast, I guess.¡± He sat up slowly, lifting Prin up with him and careful not to dump him off the bed like yesterday.


    Prin opened his eyes. In the darkened room they glowed with an internal light, like two embers.


    ¡°Ah.¡± He said, a sad ah, not an excited ah.


    Elwin stared into those eyes for a long moment before lighting the candle. Did they glow like that before the witch? Surely this must be a recent thing.


    ¡°Hey, can you see in the dark?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The prince tilted his head to the side.


    ¡°Like a cat?¡± Elwin wondered. ¡°Eh, never mind. How are you today? Are you feeling alright?¡±


    Prin made a face. ¡°As good as can be expected.¡± As soon as he said that he leaned forward clutching his stomach. ¡°No, on second thought, maybe not.¡±


    ¡°Are you sea sick again?¡± Elwin asked. He got the bucket in hand, just in case.


    Prin frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to stay in here and rest? It¡¯s okay, the captain had fair warning that you were still recovering, I don¡¯t see how he could complain. You are trying your best.¡± Elwin would feel a lot better if the prince would stay in the little cabin, safe and tucked away out of sight. He didn¡¯t know what worried him worse, Prin¡¯s health or his encounter with the creep yesterday.


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s not that serious.¡± Prin waved his words away with a flick of his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be okay if I can make it to the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°You mean the galley?¡± Elwin asked.


    Prin narrowed his eyes, eyebrows gathering. ¡°You know what I meant.¡±


    He definitely didn¡¯t seem like himself, but Elwin didn¡¯t particularly want to (or have the strength for) a repeat of yesterday morning¡¯s argument. So, he just put on his boots and helped Prin on with his.


    The two of them went to the galley together, Prin holding on to Elwin¡¯s arm a time or two for balance, when his walking stick wasn¡¯t help enough. His face was drawn and clammy looking, and he didn¡¯t seem to want to talk.


    Elwin knew he was sick but didn¡¯t know what to do about it.


    Once he had parked Prin on the bench, he motioned Squeaks over on his way out the door.


    Squeaks looked at him with curious dark eyes beneath that curtain of messy concealing hair. He tilted his head to the side slightly in question, like a dog. No, he was more of a cat.


    ¡°Can you do me a favor? If Prin gets too sick, can you walk him back to our cabin?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°He seems to be really seasick again today, although he doesn¡¯t want to give in to it. Hard to say whether it will get better or worse. He may seem okay usually, for the most part. But he¡¯s only recently recovered from a lifelong illness and . . . he¡¯s frail. He is pushing it way too hard the last few days.¡±


    Squeaks nodded, the gesture making his entire, slightly hunched over, little body bob and sway.


    ¡°I¡¯ll look after ¡®im.¡± He said. ¡°Not to worry. Tha¡¯s pretty much what I been doin¡¯ anyway.¡±


    Elwin patted his shoulder. ¡°Thanks, that eases my mind.¡±


    Elwin grabbed some water and a quick breakfast. He debated with himself whether to be more pushy about Prin going back to bed, especially when he barely ate or talked during breakfast, but decided not to risk his ire.


    Elwin reluctantly went to work, leaving the prince in Squeak¡¯s (capable?) hands.


    Prin felt like someone had stabbed him in the guts and then twisted the knife. And since the last time he had felt this way, it had not ended well, to say the least, he tried his hardest to push away the feeling.


    If there was any way to ignore or overpower physical discomfort through sheer force of will, he had already long ago become a master at it.


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    Squeaks was staring at him with a slightly different look than usual. One some might interpret as concern.


    Prin took a deep breath in, and breathed it out again slowly. The morning air was cold, hitting his lungs in a painful, but bracing manner. ¡°What did he say?¡±


    Squeaks stared at him blankly, holding a potato in each hand, like a couple of brown rocks.


    Prin wondered if you could stone somebody to death with a potato.


    ¡°El, Elwin, he was talking to you about me in the doorway.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Squeaks nodded. He put down one of his defensive potatoes and picked up his paring knife. ¡°Nothing. Just to look after ya. Which is what I already been doin¡¯. Case you hadn¡¯t noticed.¡±


    Prin tried to smile, though it felt strained. He picked up his own knife. ¡°He¡¯s not my keeper you know.¡± He said. ¡°He doesn¡¯t know everything.¡±


    Squeaks tilted his head to the side. ¡°Who said ¡®e was? He¡¯s your . . . good friend though, innit? And ¡®e cares about you a lot. Plain to see.¡±


    Prin smiled, more relaxed this time, although the pain in his stomach was making it hard to concentrate. ¡°Yes. I feel the same way about him. But no one can control me.¡± Where had that come from? He didn¡¯t really feel like Elwin was trying to control him, did he? Overly protective, sure. That wasn¡¯t the same thing. Still, he had said it?


    ¡° Course not.¡± Squeaks assured. ¡° D¡¯you got a fever? Your face is a little . . .¡± Squeaks reached out as though to touch him and pulled his hand back before making contact. ¡°I gots a remedy for you. Lemme make you a drink that¡¯ll fix you right up.¡±


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s okay.¡± Prin wondered if his injured arm had become infected. He hadn¡¯t freshly bandaged it since they got on the boat. ¡°I have my own medicine back in the cabin.¡± This brought up thoughts of the terrible hunger, and how it had started with this stomach pain, like a belly full of sharp rocks. The hand that held the knife shook.


    ¡°Should I go get it for ya?¡± Squeaks asked. He stood up quickly. ¡°Though I doubt it can beat my own fever remedy, tried and true.¡±


    Prin took some more slow deep breaths. ¡°It will surely pass.¡± He lied. He now knew exactly what this was, though he hoped to hell he was wrong.


    ¡°D¡¯you need to lay down?¡± Squeaks asked.


    Squeaks sat back down, unanswered, staring, staring, staring at the prince, like he was wont to do. Before standing back up abruptly. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll make some anyways.¡± He went to the cabinets and shuffled some things around, pulling out a tin from a back corner. Squeaks put a kettle onto the old stove that was lit all day, to boil water. He proceeded to mix a concoction of powders in vials and liquor out of a sea glass green bottle that looked older than the gods themselves.


    When the kettle squealed, Squeaks poured hot water and a scoop of tea for taste over his potion, then stirred it with a long wooden spoon. He walked carefully over to Prin, carrying the hot mug with both hands. He smiled shyly. ¡°First ya just breath it in for a while, its hot.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a cold.¡± The prince said. He took the mug and sat it down, sniffing it cautiously. It smelled very strange. Like dark earth and sharp chemicals. Prin wondered how alcoholic it was. Looked like a lot of homemade moonshine had gone into the recipe. Enough to make you forget your troubles?


    Squeaks waved his hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s good for e¡¯erything.¡±


    Prin breathed in the steam, feeling a little drunk already. He wasn¡¯t sure it was a good idea to drink any of this. But Squeaks had gone to a lot of trouble. And wasted precious ingredients on him. Eventually, when judged sufficiently cool, though no less toxic, Prin took a drink. It tasted about like it smelled.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Prin said, taking another cautious sip. It wasn¡¯t as bad as he had thought it would be.


    ¡°S¡¯it goin¡¯ down alright?¡± Squeaks wondered.


    ¡°Seems to be.¡± Prin said. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was helping him any, but it wasn¡¯t causing his stomach any further revolt.


    ¡°Good.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Now that your tongue is loosened up, tell me whatcher ¡®lationship is with that Elwin figure.¡± He motioned to the door as though to say, that guy who was standing there, in case Prin wasn¡¯t sure who he was talking about. ¡°If yer not sleepin¡¯ together, what is it? Cause you don¡¯ act like frens, no offense.¡± He had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and he was in his element. Gossip.


    Prin took another sip. ¡°We do sleep together.¡± Prin said. ¡°In fact, we made a pact to sleep together every night. I don¡¯t know how long it will last, but it seemed to make El feel better to say it.¡± He shrugged.


    Squeaks blinked. ¡°Ah, you mean you sleeps side by side on the same bunk e¡¯erynight, don¡¯tchas?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± Prin said. ¡°Only for the last few days, though, before that the last time was back when we were kids.¡±


    ¡°So you aint romantical together then.¡± Squeaks said.


    ¡°Oh no! I mean yes, we are.¡± Prin sipped his concoction. Prin wasn¡¯t sure why his gut reaction was to defend their relationship as ¡®romantical¡¯. What did he care what people thought of it? The prince didn¡¯t think the alcohol was affecting him, but maybe it was. He had been in a weird mood all morning anyway.


    ¡°See, that¡¯s what anyone would fink, seeing you twos together.¡± Squeaks agreed. ¡°Yer just an innocent, so yous barely knows what I¡¯m askin¡¯ ya.¡± He smiled at Prin. ¡°Yer so cute.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re actually running off to elope!¡± Prin said defensively.


    ¡°Really?¡± Squeaks asked. ¡°I guess you¡¯re savin¡¯ it for the wedding night.¡± There was a teasing tone to his voice that Prin didn¡¯t really appreciate.


    ¡°I guess we are.¡± Prin said firmly.


    ¡°Finish yer drink before it gets cold.¡± Squeaks urged. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what ¡®it¡¯ is, but that¡¯s okay.¡±


    Prin tried to think of all the romantic activities from books he had read. How could he have gone on picnics, walks in the woods, to the temple to ask a favor from the gods . . . How could he even know what else there was he had been missing?


    ¡°I was too sick.¡± He said. ¡°I¡¯ve been sick all along, since I was a baby. I could never do the things normal people could do. I had to stay in my room and hope every day to wake up in less pain, instead of more. It took up a lot of my focus, I guess, and I couldn¡¯t think . . .¡± He didn¡¯t feel defensive or irritated anymore, just sad.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°I understand you now. I had a little bro¡¯er who was like at, and there wasn¡¯t nuffing could be done fer him. He never made it to as old as you. Or as tall.¡±


    ¡°Now I¡¯m the one sorry!¡± Prin laughed ruefully. Immediately regretting it when he felt a sharp pain through his stomach. ¡°I¡¯ll get better though, this is just a temporary setback.¡±


    ¡°When you do get better, you gotta seize the day. An do all the fun things you couldn¡¯t do before.¡± Squeaks said soberly. ¡°Cause next thing you know yer dead. You could get chewed to def by sharks, beat wiff an oar, drown, fever that won¡¯t g¡¯way, shot wiff a canon ¨C¡±


    Prin held up a hand to stop the gruesome onslaught. ¡°I agree.¡±


    Even if he was able to hold on to some health, for now, it came at the heaviest cost. And what would happen after they found the witch?


    ¡°What about you? You aren¡¯t having any fun yourself, so who are you to talk?¡± He teased.


    Squeaks perked up. ¡°Sure I am! I¡¯m sittin¡¯ here talkin¡¯ to you aint I?¡±

 Chapter 23

    After plying him with liquor ¨C sorry, medicine, Prin was a lot more amenable to going back to bed. In fact, he could barely keep his eyes open. Squeaks had insisted that you must go to bed directly after drinking it for the cure to work.


    Squeaks walked along close beside him, eyeing the slippery planks of the ship¡¯s deck with suspicion.


    ¡°I won¡¯t fall.¡± Prin assured, although he clutched his walking stick firmly, not entirely sure about it.


    After they crossed to the other side and went down the stairs, Squeaks holding onto his arm, just in case, someone walked down the hall towards them.


    Someone with white hair in a ponytail and a friendly looking face. If you didn¡¯t know any better.


    ¡°Fancy meeting you here!¡± Mac said pleasantly, although he didn¡¯t actually seem surprised.


    They had been walking along slowly, and Prin wondered if he had already been to the galley and somehow gotten around in front of them when he didn¡¯t find them there.


    Squeaks stiffened beside him, and Prin could almost smell the boy¡¯s fear sweat. Being in such close and unexpected proximity to his attacker.


    ¡°Hello.¡± Prin said coldly, not giving him even the most polite and perfunctory smile imaginable. Giving him nothing.


    Mac looked pointedly at Squeaks. ¡°Would you scram? I¡¯ll take it from here.¡±


    Squeaks stood still beside Prin, frozen in place.


    The prince would almost think that the two of them had colluded to get him out here, alone and slightly impaired. Vulnerable. If it hadn¡¯t been for the visceral reaction of Squeaks. Prin did not think he would cooperate with this man in bailing the water out if they were on a sinking ship together. It also proved the truth in his story, if Prin had not already believed it, which he had.


    ¡°I said get outa here, before I snap your spine.¡± Mac said. Then laughed, like it was all in good fun. ¡°Get it? Like a little mouse in a trap?¡±


    Despite the forced joviality, that was enough for Squeaks, and he ran off the way they had come. Although Prin felt sure he hadn¡¯t gone far, and was peeking around a door frame somewhere.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Prin asked. He tried to keep his voice plain and neutral, although it was a difficult task. Having no experience with this type of man, Prin was not exactly sure how to get rid of him. (Although there must be a way, right?) He didn¡¯t particularly want to give away what Squeaks had told him, for fear of retaliation against him.


    ¡°Nothing at all!¡± Mac said. ¡°Well, maybe your company for just a moment?¡± He amended. ¡°I¡¯m a much sturdier person to lean on then that creepy little mouse, don¡¯t you think? Frankly, if I were you I would be worried that he had his own motives for getting me alone.¡± He laughed, making a fake shuddering motion, as though the thought were just too much. Mac offered his arm to Prin. ¡°Where to?¡±


    Prin did not take it, instead leaning against the wall, with his stick as balance. ¡°I like him well enough, he¡¯s my friend.¡± He was biting the inside of his mouth to keep from saying more. The pains in his belly increased, and even standing upright felt like a challenge.


    ¡°Is there anything I can get for you?¡± Mac asked. ¡°I have some special sweets in my bunk that I got from a far off port. I usually don¡¯t share them with anyone, but you . . ?¡± He smiled at Prin, to see if any of these efforts were taking root.


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    Really? An offer of candy? Prin could feel his eyes narrow. His patience was running thin to say the least. And he had felt all day an erosion in his usually optimistic and friendly personality. ¡°I¡¯m not well, as I¡¯m sure you can see.¡± Prin said. ¡°It¡¯s not a good time to talk. I wouldn¡¯t try it, if I were you.¡± He wondered if he meant the words as a threat, the most innocuous words could be. But what was he going to do, club the bigger man over the head with his walking stick? Well, if needs must.


    ¡°I had heard you were unwell and that¡¯s why I came around to check on you.¡± Mac said smoothly. ¡°Elwin sent me.¡±


    Prin¡¯s eyebrows raised, and he could feel the neutral expression all but fleeing from his face, he tried to hold onto it but it escaped handily. ¡°How do you know Elwin?¡±


    ¡°We work together.¡± Mac said. ¡°A strapping young man, he can shovel circles around us old folks.¡± He laughed, leaning in close to Prin. ¡°Also, he¡¯s adorable, isn¡¯t he?¡± He winked. ¡°But I can show you things a kid like him wouldn¡¯t even know about.¡± He said confidently, leaning closer yet, until their faces were mere inches apart. ¡°And I won¡¯t say a thing to him about it.¡±


    I dare you to touch me. I dare you. The prince was not afraid of him. He felt somewhere in the back of his mind those little alarm bells going off that said he should be, but he wasn¡¯t. A feeling like electricity shot up from his sore stomach and out through his eyes as sparks. His stare hot enough to burn.


    Mac, perhaps misinterpreting the look, or just accustomed to living on the edge, did in fact dare. He reached around and put his hand on Prin¡¯s back, pulling him closer to meet him as though expecting a kiss.


    The prince, although having already considered that he might be touched, had not fully thought out what to do about it. His mind raced with ideas. His hand was already on the stick, and the stick already near Mac¡¯s foot, so he chose the path of least resistance and picked it up, slamming it back down on Mac¡¯s foot.


    He would have rather bit him, so all things considering, he had gotten off easy.


    Mac didn¡¯t see it that way, screaming in pain and hobbling backward, releasing Prin.


    A few men from the deck gathered at the top of the stairs to see what all the fussing was about, and Prin used the moment to make his escape. He hurried into his cabin and shut and locked the door behind him.


    *


    Of course it wasn¡¯t long before Squeaks was rapping softly on the cabin door, his voice slipping between the door and it¡¯s frame, mournful and sorry.


    ¡°Prin? Prin, m¡¯sorry to be such a coward as ¡®at. I don¡¯t mind much if ya never speaks ta me again. Ya¡¯know? I saw what happened, can I come in?¡±


    The prince was curled up on his bunk, the gnawing pit in his stomach having nothing to do with remorse, but only something so much worse.


    At first he just ignored it. Or pretended to anyway. After some time of the knocking and whispering going away and then returning with a semi-regular frequency, Prin was worn down and relented.


    He got up and unlocked the sturdy bolt, swinging the door wide open.


    Squeaks stood there, looking more hunched over and hidden, even then usual. Trying to make himself small. He frowned, the corners of his mouth quivering.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone back to work.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°But he aint happy.¡± He looked down at his shoes, afraid to meet the prince¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Good, I don¡¯t want him to be happy.¡± Prin leaned against the door frame. Finally, when it seemed like Squeaks would not just go, Prin stood aside and let him in, locking the door behind him. ¡°I¡¯m not angry at you, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about, you have to protect yourself. I understand.¡±


    Squeaks fidgeted nervously from foot to foot. ¡°I did promise I would watch out for ya.¡± He fretted. ¡°You didn¡¯t tells him I told ya what he done, did ya?¡±


    ¡°No. I wouldn¡¯t.¡± The prince said. ¡°I don¡¯t think you should have to live like this, though.¡± He sat down on the narrow bed and patted the seat beside him.


    Squeaks took a hesitant step towards him, looking wary. He looked behind himself at the firmly locked door, and then, seeming to be making a decision on the spot, a decision to trust in his new friend. A trust not easily given, in a friendship he didn¡¯t seem to feel he deserved. He nodded his head, a quick affirmative, and scurried over to sit close beside Prin.


    ¡°You poor thing.¡± The prince said. He touched the skittish boy on the arm, very carefully, like you would touch a feral kitten which you had only just managed to coax out from under the porch after days of brandishing bits of meat and calling softly the name you had invented for it.


    He leaned a bit closer to Squeaks, while patting his arm. Prin could feel the hot tongues of pain reaching up from his belly like tentacles. He knew what would soothe his pain, and this boy¡¯s pain at the same time. The prince¡¯s patting turned to a grip on the boy¡¯s arm, which was just a little too hard, and he licked his lips.

 Chapter 24

    Squeaks let out a little squeak, and Prin released his arm quickly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that.¡± The prince sighed and closed his eyes, ¡°I¡¯m in a lot of pain.¡± When he opened them again the spell was over and he felt a little more himself. He had a sudden wish to end this conversation just as soon as humanly possible. And for a drink of water. Prin felt hot.


    ¡°Have you tried talking to the captain? He seemed like a reasonable fellow?¡± Or did he? It wasn¡¯t like Prin actually knew him or anything.


    ¡°Cap¡¯n Beams?¡± Squeaks asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion. ¡°Ya¡¯know, there¡¯s actually a whole story about why he¡¯s called ¡®at¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to distract me.¡± Prin said, trying to keep his tone neutral. Squeaks did not seem to be the type to take a scolding well, although he doubtless had had many. ¡°You know I mean telling him about Mac, and what he did. You¡¯re probably not even the only crew member he¡¯s hurt.¡± The prince could immediately tell that his very reasonable words were just whistling in a windstorm, as nanny used to say.


    ¡°Oh no-oo! I couldn¡¯t tell ¡®im nuffing like ¡®at. If its not about the ship, ya don¡¯t bother the cap¡¯n. He might kick me clear offa the ship for it.¡± Squeaks said.


    ¡°Well . . . Would it be so bad if he did?¡± Prin wondered.


    Squeaks eyes widened into huge globes. ¡°This is the best job I ever had. All the food ya can eat, and a sa¡¯ry to boot. Though it aint much, I don¡¯t wanna lose it. If yous was stayin¡¯ on, it¡¯d be almos perfect.¡± He gave the prince a shy look.


    Prin sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do for you, if you don¡¯t want to tell anyone.¡± Although he did, he did know what to do. That little voice from the back of his mind, or rather from the deepest pit of his stomach, was talking again. And it only ever had the one thing to say. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me though. I¡¯m not worried.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯ seem at all well.¡± Squeaks said cautiously.


    ¡°Just let me get some rest.¡± The prince said. ¡°I¡¯m sure it will help.¡± He stood up and went to the door to usher Squeaks out, but the boy didn¡¯t stand up to follow.


    ¡°Maybe I should stay with ya? I could get ya some soup and then come right back? I could getcher man and bring him to ya?¡± Squeaks fidgeted.


    ¡°Thanks, but that¡¯s okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°Wont you get in trouble? I know Elwin would say he doesn¡¯t want to get in trouble with the captain.¡± He waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Besides, I really don¡¯t need to be babysat. I¡¯ll be okay. You go back to work. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t be there to help.¡± If this boy would only GO. Prin gritted his teeth trying to smile, which he was sure looked ghastly and was going against the point he was trying to make.


    Squeaks just gave him a worried look, as the prince got up and went to the door, hoping to be followed.


    ¡°Honestly, this is nothing new for me. I¡¯ve spent my entire life . . . like this.¡± Prin said. The truth in his statement depending on whether or not he meant ¡°sick like this¡± or, the other ¡°like this¡± he now was.


    Squeaks reluctantly got to his feet. ¡°Maybe ¡®at remedy aint had time to work yet . . .¡±


    Prin nodded. ¡°That¡¯s probably it.¡±


    Squeaks went out the door, turning back to face the prince quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll bring ya some broth later.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, I don¡¯t need it.¡± The prince gave him a gentle shove out the door, shutting it behind him. ¡°Thanks for the offer though.¡±


    The relief of locking the door again was palpable, creating at least one small barrier of safety between himself and his hapless friend. For now.


    *


    Elwin had a strange day shoveling coal. It did seem strange to even have such a thought, a foreign but already weirdly familiar thought.


    His muscles had warmed up more quickly today and he felt like he was acclimating to the work, getting stronger. But it was still exhausting in a way that he doubted would ever improve no matter how used to it you got.


    All day he had a creepy feeling, like the hair raised up on the back of his neck. Occasionally he felt like someone was staring at him. Well, let them look. Hadn¡¯t they ever seen a man shovel coal before? He snorted at his own joke, being this was all they saw every day for a long shift, day in and day out.


    He was probably going loopy from the heat and tiredness. Could they be roughly halfway through their servitude? He would have to find someone to ask who seemed like they might actually know. Most on the ship seemed to live in a state of timeless limbo, neither knowing, nor caring, when the next stop might be. That could never be Elwin.


    He put down the shovel when he saw other men doing so, having worked out that this indicated a change in shift. His new friend Mac was standing in front of one of the large flame filled stoves, looking like he wanted to toss someone inside. It wasn¡¯t like him to be in such a bad mood, as usually every time Elwin saw him he was all smiles.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Times up! Want to go to the galley?¡±


    The other man turned to look at him, narrowing his eyes darkly for just a moment. But long enough for Elwin to wonder if he was mad at him for some reason? No, couldn¡¯t be that.


    Mac quickly broke the tension with a smile. ¡°Nah, gonna stick around here for a little while longer.¡± He winked. ¡°Give my love to your man.¡±


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    It was Elwin¡¯s turn to frown slightly. What had that meant? Just playful banter? He waved and smiled, like what he said had been perfectly normal. ¡°Will do. See ya later.¡±


    He left the coal room, still troubled by Mac¡¯s demeaner. Although he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on why.


    Elwin hurried down the halls of the ship and up and down the stairs (it was a bit of a maze, but one he was already growing more comfortable with), until he reached the galley, eager to see how his prince was doing.


    Once again Squeaks and the chef were alone. Only this time, Squeaks gave him a grave look that sent his heart plummeting.


    ¡°He¡¯s not doing a bit well, poor lil thing.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Won¡¯ let me in, neither, I fink he might be mad wiff me.¡± He shifted from foot to foot.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take it so personal.¡± The chef admonished. ¡°I would slam the door shut too, if I saw that face a yours on the other side. Just sos I didn¡¯t have to look at ya.¡± He guffawed at his own joke.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s not it.¡± Elwin said, frowning. Who would have the heart to be mean to this friendless weird little guy? Certainly not his Prin.


    ¡°Take ¡®im some soup and some beer.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°He aint ate a thing all day. I was only a knockin¡¯ on the door so I could give ¡®im some soup.¡±


    Elwin ate his own food down quick as can be, to free his hands up to carry some to Prin. Squeaks gave him a ceramic bowl with a fitted lid wrapped in a towel and a drink stein. The drink was not suspicious at all . . .


    Elwin almost asked what was in it, but Squeaks¡¯ sad little face peeking out of that stringy curtain of dark hair, made him just want to get away as soon as possible. He would have to ask the prince if they had fought, although he couldn¡¯t imagine what about.


    When he had made it back to their cabin he knocked on the door with his elbow, after finding it locked, much to his relief. He knocked again quickly. ¡°Prin? It¡¯s me.¡±


    After the third knock he heard the bolt go back with a thunk, and the door slowly creeped open.


    The prince stood there, as pale as fresh milk with feverish red cheeks. He was hunched over, one arm on the door and the other around his stomach. His blue eyes dimly lit and barely open behind their forest of dark lashes.


    It was one of those moments when Elwin was struck by how pretty he was when he was very sick. He was embarrassed that the thought had occurred to him even once, let alone that this was not the first time.


    Elwin hurried inside and sat the food and drink down on the little table built into the wall. Once his hands were free, he picked Prin up in his arms and took him to the bed, laying him down with his head on the thin pillow.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to get up to let me in, but I¡¯m glad you locked the door.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I had to.¡± Prin said, his voice barely raising above a whisper. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t quit coming around. Just kept knocking and talking to the door.¡± He took Elwin¡¯s hand and held it.


    The prince¡¯s hand was cold and clammy.


    ¡°What? Who did? Squeaks?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°He didn¡¯t try to do something to you, did he?¡± He put together both of Prin¡¯s hands and tried to warm them up in his.


    ¡°No, no, not that.¡± Prin said. Every word seemed like a minor struggle. ¡°It¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll do to him.¡±


    Elwin didn¡¯t ask anymore questions, not wanting to make him continue talking. He got some medicine from their luggage and made him take some and eat a few bites of broth before going back to sleep.


    Elwin crawled into bed beside Prin, scooping him carefully into his arms, and closed his eyes.


    In the middle of the night, with the stub of candle having flicked itself out into nothingness, Elwin was woken by a harsh grip on each arm. He opened his eyes to Prin¡¯s twin lanterns, creating their own flame, like the hottest bluest edge of fire.


    ¡°What¡¯sa matter?¡± Elwin asked, by this time already half used to the unearthly glow. ¡°Do you need anything?¡± He wiggled in Prin¡¯s grip but didn¡¯t try to pull away. Where would he even go?


    ¡°You should leave. It¡¯s not safe for you here.¡± The prince said.


    ¡°You¡¯re silly.¡± Elwin snuggled his face into the area between Prin¡¯s neck and shoulder. ¡°I wouldn¡¯ leave you.¡± He wondered if he was dreaming, hallucinating, or somehow both. He closed his eyes, hoping to get back to the nice part in any case.


    He could feel Prin¡¯s breath on his cheek. And almost feel, the heat from his eyes? No, that couldn¡¯t be, but it did seem like he could feel that he still had his eyes open and was staring at Elwin. Elwin didn¡¯t mind though.


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of you and I never will be.¡± Elwin mumbled groggily. ¡°Stop trying to make me.¡±


    The grip on his arms gradually loosened, and he could feel Prin shift around into a more comfortable position in his embrace.


    ¡°Good night, love you.¡± Elwin whispered.


    ¡°You too.¡± Prin whispered back.


    Elwin¡¯s eyes shot open in the morning, without waiting for the inevitable banging on the door, although he was sure it was coming any moment.


    The prince was crumpled in his arms, as limp as a rag doll. For a moment he was very afraid.


    ¡°Prin, Prin!?¡± Elwin shook him gently, then with increasingly less gentleness.


    ¡°Mmm.¡± Prin mumbled, opening his eyes into little slits. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin sighed. ¡°You can¡¯t keep doing this to me.¡± He cradled Prin in his arms.


    ¡°Doing what?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Worrying me half to death!¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh well,¡± Prin waved his hand dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s gonna be a constant, I don¡¯t know what to tell ya.¡± He closed his eyes again and nuzzled his face into Elwin¡¯s chest.


    Elwin laughed, although he wasn¡¯t sure if that was the prince¡¯s intention in saying that. He did hope it was a joke.


    ¡°Wake up just a bit, honey.¡± Elwin said. ¡°So I can get some water and maybe a few bites of soup in you before you go back to sleep.¡±


    Prin¡¯s eyes shot open and he sat up. ¡°Did you . . .?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Elwin tilted his head to the side.


    ¡°Did you call me honey?¡± The prince asked.


    Elwin could feel his cheeks grow hot. ¡°Is that not . . . normal? Would you prefer I didn¡¯t?¡± He wondered if he had overstepped some invisible boundary. He had not even imagined such a boundary existing between them but maybe he had miscalculated.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it.¡± Prin said softly. He took Elwin¡¯s hand and held it with his cold one.


    ¡°Is there a different name you would prefer?¡± Elwin asked nervously.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s fine.¡± The prince said. ¡°I just didn¡¯t particularly remember you ever calling me that endearment before.¡± He rubbed his eyes with the knuckles of his other hand. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like anyone¡¯s honey at the moment.¡±


    ¡°What can I get you? What can I do for you?¡± Elwin asked desperately. He did not like the prince¡¯s demeaner. He seemed depressed and sad again, as well as sick, but of course one led to the other.


    ¡°Nothing, I¡ª¡± Prin started, before being interrupted by the door banging wake up call.


    ¡°Thank you! We¡¯re up!¡± Elwin called at the door, and the knocking stopped.


    Prin scooted away from Elwin, as much as could be done in the tiny bed and laid down.


    Elwin wished the mattress were better, and there were more blankets and pillows to make him comfortable. He felt like he should be providing these things, even though he had no idea how.


    ¡°I better be getting to work then.¡± Elwin sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave you . . .¡± He wanted to promise he would be back soon to check in on the prince, but he knew he would have a hard time getting away from the coal furnace and didn¡¯t want to make any promises he couldn¡¯t keep.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°Oh, there is one thing you can do.¡± He propped his head up on his arm and looked up at Elwin with those eyes, Prin¡¯s eyes yet so strange and foreign like a creature from the darkest depths of the ocean.


    ¡°What?¡± Elwin wondered, almost afraid to ask. Because whatever it was, he would do it.


    ¡°Tell Squeaks to stay the hell away from me.¡± Prin said, no emotion in his voice. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it, but he can¡¯t be coming around. He can¡¯t help me. No one can.¡±

 Chapter 25

    Elwin relayed the message, sugar coating it as best he could into more of a you mustn¡¯t disturb him or wake him up kind of thing. He wasn¡¯t entirely sure that Squeaks was convinced, but he had given it his best try anyway. What more could he do?


    The day felt bad, and he hoped they could get off this boat soon. Prin being sick on the boat seemed worse than Prin being sick on dry land.


    Elwin went quickly to his usual station and started to work, as though he thought if he somehow shoveled the coal faster he could get done faster, even though he knew it didn¡¯t work that way.


    The other men seemed ill at ease when he came in, stopping their conversation and turning to look at him when he entered the room.


    Elwin shrugged it off, not having the energy or inclination to worry about what they thought of him.


    After the first few hours, Elwin, sinking into the mind numbing, almost worry reducing hard physical labor of the job, Mac was at his side suddenly.


    ¡°Hey, put the shovel down and relax a minute.¡± Mac said. ¡°Work isn¡¯t all we do around here.¡± He laughed, and a couple of the other men laughed in return, knowingly.


    ¡°Really? Could¡¯ve fooled me.¡± Elwin laughed too, although he wasn¡¯t sure what they were laughing at.


    ¡°It¡¯s the ¡°day of rest¡±, which means we still have to work, you know, ships got to run and all. But we goof off a little.¡± One of the men said helpfully.


    ¡°In that case, can I take a break and leave for a little bit?¡± Elwin cocked his thumb toward the door. He would tell them why, if pressed, but he felt like it would lead to teasing from the men. Not that he was actually trying to hide the nature of his relationship with Prin, it just seemed like these were the type of men that would take any sign of vulnerability and beat you over the head with it if given half a chance. He had met this type before, worked with them for brief intervals bringing in harvests or assisting with castle repairs. Best not to give them anything to work with.


    ¡°Where are you going? To see your friend?¡± Mac wagged his eyebrows at the other men suggestively, and tossed his white ponytail behind him like an arrogant horse.


    Well, there went that idea. ¡°Actually, yes. He isn¡¯t feeling well today, and I thought if I had the time I would check on him.¡± Elwin said, trying to keep his voice even, and not too eager.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a bit overprotective?¡± Mac wondered. ¡°If you hold on too tight,¡± He made a fist to demonstrate. ¡°They squeeze right through your fingers.¡± He looked to the other men for agreement. A couple were still shoveling and a couple standing around taking a break. They smiled and nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve all been there, haven¡¯t we boys?¡± Mac continued.


    ¡°He¡¯s been sick a lot, all his life.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s not just something small, like a cold or allergies.¡± Under other circumstances he would have been more defensive, even angry at these men, but he sensed that he needed to keep the situation calm, that something was off in their behavior that he couldn¡¯t put his finger on. Perhaps just an excitement to mess with the new guy. And frankly he was none too eager to be the butt of their jokes.


    However, they had always been nice to him up til now.


    Mac nodded sagely. ¡°That seems like a tough way to live, for you as well as him.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t any trouble for ME.¡± Elwin protested. He thought of all the times he had taken care of the prince, going way back to their young childhood, and could honestly say he had never resented it or felt troubled to be doing it in any way. He had been glad to help. It didn¡¯t hurt that Prin had such a kind and sweet, and clever personality, and Elwin had often thought that anyone would love him who had the opportunity to get to know him.


    Mac went to a little knapsack in the corner and pulled out a couple of different flasks. ¡°Have a drink with us first and then we¡¯ll leave you alone.¡± He took a swig out of the larger flask and made a face. ¡°Phew! Good moonshine.¡± He passed it to one of the other men, who took a big drink himself.


    ¡°That¡¯ll put hair on your chest boy!¡± The other man said, looking at the flask approvingly.


    The other men laughed, and Mac held the smaller flask out to Elwin.


    ¡°Hell, Stay and have one drink and then you can leave for the rest of the day for all I care.¡± Mac said. ¡°If the Captain comes by we¡¯ll cover for ya.¡± He smiled disarmingly.


    Elwin reluctantly took the flask. He ran a dirty hand through his hair (that he was sure was barely any shade of blond any more after a few days on this dirty boat) and took a small sip from the flask. The taste made him screw up his face immediately and his tongue wanted to eject the vile liquid from his mouth. But it didn¡¯t, and he forced himself to swallow it.


    The other men laughed uproariously at this.


    ¡°Truly a babe in the woods!¡± Mac said, between gales of laughter. ¡°You can take a better drink then that! It won¡¯t hurt ya!¡± He guided the flask back to Elwin¡¯s mouth, where Elwin took another small drink, trying to pretend it was a larger one.


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    Mac saw through this and poured a drink into Elwin¡¯s mouth. ¡°There you go! That¡¯s a real taste of it!¡±


    Elwin spit some back out onto his shirt when Mac turned to look at the other men and laugh in their direction. But the damage was already done and he felt dizzy. He needed to sit down, before he would fall down.


    Mac put his arm around his shoulders. ¡°Easy there, kid.¡±


    As Elwin felt the world around him shift, the men¡¯s faces begin to blur and elongate into hideous caricatures. ¡°What--?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take good care of him.¡± Mac was saying, as the world went black.


    *


    The prince had wandered in the night. Half in dream and half not, leaning against the walls of the hallway for support. The fact that Elwin never stirred when he got out of bed and left closing the door behind him, nor even when he returned, made Prin think that perhaps he had dreamed the whole thing and never left the bed at all.


    However, the huge tarp he had stolen and dragged dragged dragged, all the way back to the little cabin and stowed beneath the cot, had still been there in the morning when he went to check after Elwin left.


    He didn¡¯t have any specific plans for what he was doing with this thing, but when he saw it his eyes had sparked and he knew he had to have it. That it would come in handy.


    Prin twisted the little gold ring on his pinky. What would Elwin think of him? If he knew the thoughts he was having, the lengths the pain like rats gnawing his insides was driving him to consider? After all, last time he had felt so much better after . . . No, to consciously finish that thought was out of the question. If he had a little sanity left, he would like to keep it that way.


    The prince thought he should really want to throw himself off of the ship into the turbulent dark ocean, and let his parts be eaten up by the sharp-toothed creatures within.


    But he didn¡¯t. The prince actually had no desire to die. Less even than he used to when he had been a very sick, but harmless, human boy.


    Now he wanted to live more then ever.


    *


    When the knock came at the cabin door, the prince was ready for it. He stepped into lucid dreaming, where he could not seem to wake up, but at the same time he could manipulate the things around him, and even reason things out to a limited degree.


    Even a beast can reason.


    When it comes to increasing its odds of a safe and satisfying meal.


    And what are people, if not the most canny, the most wily of beasts.


    Dream Prin could tell a hundred stories in his head in the space between knocks at the door.


    ¡°Be right there-e.¡± The prince called softly. ¡°Don¡¯t give up. Don¡¯t go away.¡±


    He unfolded the large tarp, and once spread out, it covered the bed, the floor, the entirety of the small cabin with room to spare. Yes, this would work out nicely.


    He had already stripped down to his underlayer, leggings and night shirt. And at the last moment, he tossed them off too, tucking them underneath the tarp for safe keeping with his other things.


    The prince would need his clothing later on, after it was finished, to cover the beast again. Camouflage. He giggled quietly. His stomach barely hurt any more. Already. Or rather, it did, but the feeling was pushed so far aside it was practically a distant memory. As though it were happening to someone else, in another room.


    The knocking came again, softly. ¡°I want to apologize for yesterday.¡± A smooth voice said. ¡°You weren¡¯t wrong to do what you did. I¡¯m not angry. I heard you were sick and brought peace offerings.¡±


    ¡°Just a moment!¡± Prin called. He got the little knife they had carried along with their supplies, and sat it on the table near the door.


    Everything had a strange quality. Sound, smell, even the air itself seemed full of visible swirling particles. Even though it was dark in there, with only one small candle lit on the farthest edge of the table, where hopefully it would be hard to knock over. Not that he needed the light. Just was none too partial to fire.


    The prince wondered if other people could see it too.


    He went to the door and slid back the bolt, opening it just a crack.


    Mac was there, holding a box of colorful wrapped sweets. ¡°May I come in?¡± He asked, ever so polite, ever so civilized.


    His eyes, when Prin opened the door further, revealing his unclothed form, went from cold and calculating, to hot and mean in less then a blink.


    The prince could see what he already knew, this man had his own overwhelming hungers. And that made him ever so vulnerable.


    ¡°Walk into my parlor?¡± Prin said, forgetting what else he may have planned to say, for things are like that in dreams, and it¡¯s hard to grasp a solid thought and hold on to it. Slippery things. He smiled.


    Mac laughed. He came into the room quickly and shut the door behind himself. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be ready for me. This is nice for a change.¡±


    Prin held the knife behind himself, unsheathed, and ready to find it¡¯s new sheath much more grand. He sat down on the tarp covered bed and patted the seat beside him. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind I took my clothes off.¡±


    ¡°Why would I?¡± Mac sat down the candies and came over to the bed eagerly. ¡°He-ey, you don¡¯t seem all that sick? Did you play sick just to wait for me?¡± He laughed. ¡°What a cute little thing you are.¡± He licked his lips like the wolf from a fairytale. ¡°Let¡¯s see if I can mess you up. You won¡¯t want to take those clothes off again for a while.¡±


    With those ominous words hanging in the air between them, he reached for the prince, who ducked neatly aside and out of his grasp.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take your clothes off too?¡± Prin asked sweetly. There were so many layers covering the meat, that he thought this would be a good place to start.


    Mac shrugged out of his jacket quickly, and when he went to take his shirt off over his head, the prince seized on the perfect opportunity.


    He went for the soft belly first, carving out a wide and gutting smile, then the neck, through the shirt that was stretched up over the man¡¯s head.


    In retrospect this may have been a mistake, as Prin had underestimated the strength of someone who is at the beginning stage of bleeding out.


    Mac roared and stood up, entrails falling out of him like wet birthday banners. He flailed around, unseeing, with his face covered and his arms held awkwardly above his head by the shirt he couldn¡¯t escape from.


    The prince caught an elbow, or maybe it was a knee, to the face and went down. But he was back up again quickly enough, dodging around the small room, keeping out of the way like a boxing match gone awry.


    It took a forever long few moments for Mac to lose enough blood (and interior parts) to calm down. He began to fall, slipping on his own blood and slumped hard onto the bed. The sounds he made now had nothing of the lion in them.


    Prin sat back down beside him, cutting the shirt which had bound him, away from his face and neck. Mac was grimacing still, but his eyes were rapidly dulling, half dead.


    ¡°I was going to say something like, this was for my friend.¡± The prince said. ¡°But who am I kidding? This. Is. All. For. Me.¡± He grinned as he dug into his meal.

 Chapter 26

    Elwin woke up with the taste of vomit in his mouth eyelids that felt like weighted curtains. He opened them with great effort, only to find the world around him foggy and surreal. He could hear men¡¯s voices talking, and smell the smoke from the burning coal.


    It took a while for his ears to focus in on what they were saying.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯ worry about him, he¡¯s gonna be out for a while.¡± One of them was saying.


    The other man laughed. ¡°True enough!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re we gonna do with him?¡± The first one asked.


    ¡°I reckon . . . anything we want to!¡± The other man said. ¡°Mac don¡¯t care about ¡®em if they look too much like grown men, he like ¡®em young.¡±


    ¡°Kinder gross if you ask me.¡± The first man said.


    ¡°Good thing nobody asked ya!¡± The other man retorted with a guffaw. ¡°And it leaves the good one for us, so what¡¯re you bitching about? Let ¡®im have that scrawny waif what works in the kitchen, he don¡¯t seem like he would be much of a good time to me. But you know Mac, he gets what he wants, don¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°That he do.¡± The first man agreed.


    While the words were trying to settle into Elwin¡¯s brain, which was hard because they kept trying to slip away, like catching eels, he felt a heavy hand on his leg. It started at the knee and crept upward like a sneaking animal.


    Elwin sat up quickly, blinking back a wave of dizziness and smacking out blindly at the hand that accosted him. He was staring at one of his coworkers, who¡¯s face was startlingly close and seemed surprised to see him awake.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Elwin asked, he shook his head to try to clear it. ¡°Where¡¯s Mac?¡± It had dawned on him that something nefarious was happening, but it took another moment to connect it to the drink Mac had forced on him. He obviously hadn¡¯t drunk as much of it as the others planned him to have, and was sobering rapidly. The acrid chemically smell on his shirt made him wonder if alcohol was all that the drink had contained.


    ¡°He¡¯s, yaknow, off working somewhere.¡± The man backed off him, embarrassed to see his helpless prey suddenly alert and not so helpless. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean nothing by it, I thought you was asleep.¡± He said.


    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± Elwin said firmly. He stood up, holding the wall for balance as he tried to beat back the weakness in his limbs and swirling in his head that made the world seem to dip back and forth.


    The two men exchanged a glance, then looked back at Elwin.


    ¡°If-if you¡¯re weighing who to fear more.¡± Elwin said, ¡°I hope you realize that I am young and impulsive, and you don¡¯t really know what I¡¯m capable of.¡± He hoped his expression conveyed the contempt he felt for these two men. But right now he wasn¡¯t sure what his face was doing since he could barely feel it. And perhaps he was not even saying anything that made sense. He felt like he had no choice but to push ahead anyway. ¡°The flames would go through your bodies just as easily as a shovel full of coal.¡± He doubted this was true at all but it sounded good in his head.


    ¡°Mac¡¯s gone to your cabin a while ago.¡± One of the men said. ¡°If he was gonna do anything, it¡¯s too late now. The deed is done.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame us, it¡¯s none of our doing!¡± The other man said, holding up his hands in a cowardly gesture. ¡°I never liked that Mac anyway.¡±


    ¡°No friend of ours.¡± The other cowardly man said.


    Elwin moved through the ship in a panicked haze. He held onto the wall when he got too dizzy, and nothing, nothing at all looked familiar. What, he was pretty sure had been about a ten minute walk in the past, was stretched to hours, weeks, and days, for all he could tell.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    When he thought he was almost there, he realized he was in a totally different corridor lined with doors.


    Elwin wanted to sit down and cry, but he didn¡¯t have time for that so he forged on. He had a sudden thought that maybe he should go to the galley and see if Prin was there? After all, sometimes he was? And maybe Squeaks could help him find his cabin.


    Others stared at him as he lurched along, but no one tried to help. Probably just figuring he had a drink too many and it would be more of a kindness not to draw attention to it.


    Maybe he was still asleep and this was just the most awful dream. All of it, going back to the witch and her dubious cure. If he went back to sleep now, would he wake up to a different world entirely? Where none of that had ever happened? And his prince was reading him a book about dragons and knights, while they were tucked away in a tower that pierced the clouds.


    When the dragon broke free from the book and started to grow to fill the entire tower room, crushing them against the stone walls with its massive green scaled hind quarters, Elwin realized that he actually was dreaming and he startled awake.


    He was in a hall lined with doors, a familiar looking hall. How long had he been looking? Elwin had fallen asleep against the wall, but woke up with a clearer head and the sudden rising panic that his prince was in danger. And he had been too busy dreaming to get to him. Hallucinating?


    Elwin ran across the hall to the cabin door and pulled on it. It was locked. He didn¡¯t know whether to be relieved at this or find it more worrisome.


    ¡°Prin! Prin!¡± He shouted at the door. His voice sounded strange and hoarse. He once again wondered if he was saying the things it was in his mind to say or not. Could have been something completely different coming from his mouth, or nothing but animal noises. He just hoped he was at the right door, and the prince was fine.


    The bolt slid back, with its signature thunk, and the door creaked open. Just a crack.


    ¡°Why are you yelling?¡± the prince asked. ¡°Shhh.¡±


    Elwin let out his breath in a long sigh. ¡°I thought someone was hurting you, I was so scared.¡±


    ¡°Shhh, shhh, alright, come in.¡± Prin opened the door wider.


    It was dark in the room, only a tiny flicker of candlelight illuminated a few inches of its surroundings. So, it took a moment for Elwin¡¯s eyes to adjust to the gloom.


    And he wished that they hadn¡¯t.


    The wonderland of blood coagulating around an unrecognizable body shaped figure, was something no one sane would care to witness.


    The prince was standing amidst it all, naked and bloody, like a primordial warrior.


    Elwin would have liked to think he was still dreaming, or at least hallucinating.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± He asked Prin, surprising himself at the calmness of his words.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Prin said, as though it were perfectly obvious. He tilted his head to the side, with a searching expression, as though scanning Elwin for intentions. And coming out of it not sure what he was about. ¡°You aren¡¯t well yourself.¡± He moved quickly toward Elwin, not stumbling or stilted as he normally might walk. But smooth, almost gliding.


    He reached up to touch Elwin¡¯s cheek. Then, when Elwin flinched away slightly, looked at his own blood smeared hand. ¡°Oh.¡± Prin said, as though only just realizing the state he was in.


    He went to the bed and flopped the bloody tarp off of it and over top of the body on the floor. While he was at it, he scrubbed his hands vigorously on the edge of the thick canvas tarp.


    The prince took Elwin¡¯s hand and led him over to the bed. ¡°We are so tired, you and I.¡±


    Elwin stumbled around the room, trying to avoid stepping in blood or tripping over folds in the tarp. He sat down hard on the edge of the bed. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± He said. He put his face in his hands, but now the tears wouldn¡¯t come and it seemed like they had dried up in the wind.


    Prin unlaced and pulled off his boots. He lifted Elwin¡¯s legs onto the bed and tucked him in. ¡°We don¡¯t have to talk about it.¡± He offered.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Elwin watched with half lidded eyes, as his prince rolled the body up in the over sized tarp and used the cleanest corner and a bit of water to scrub away the blood from his skin as best he could.


    Prin hummed softly as he washed his face.


    Elwin¡¯s eyelids grew heavy again and he rolled over to face the wall. He knew that the glowing eyed, graceful, deadly creature was not entirely his Prin. How could it be? Prin couldn¡¯t do what he did. Or be what he was.


    He wished the effects of whatever he drank were not still coursing through him and he could at least think clearly. But maybe it was a mercy.


    Only a few minutes later he felt the cot creak beside him, and the prince¡¯s long arms wrap around his body. And snuggle in against his back with a contented sigh.


    Elwin took Prin¡¯s hand and bent his head to kiss it.

 Chapter 27

    After sleeping as long as he could, Elwin awoke at some random time, suddenly terrorized by the thought that they were trapped in a small room with nowhere to escape to. The two of them, plus one very dead body.


    And the miasma in the air, the smell of metal and death, made it difficult to even breath in this windowless dark coffin.


    Elwin was as wide awake as he had ever been in his life, and stone sober.


    He rolled over to face the prince, carefully this time so that he wouldn¡¯t accidentally toss him out of the narrow bed.


    There was not the slightest crust of light coming from underneath or above the thick wooden door, as there usually was when they woke up. So it was clearly still the middle of the night? Or very early anyway, before daybreak.


    He pulled the thin blanket over his nose and mouth and tried to take a deep breath, but it was barely any help. Elwin hugged his prince gently to him, grateful for at least the grounding effect of touching him, having him near.


    Prin was warm and limp, sleeping soundly. Elwin could feel his breathing nice and even, and tried hard to match it.


    ¡°Prin. Prin.¡± He whispered. He wasn¡¯t sure which one he would be getting. The young man he loved, or the stalking bloody dream creature he couldn¡¯t actually hate. And may have been a hallucination on his part. But real or not, SOMEONE killed a man in here. That fact was not up for debate. ¡°Prin?¡± He tried again.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna peel so-oo many potatoes tomorrow.¡± Prin mumbled, laughing softly, still dreaming.


    Elwin hated to wake him, but there was no way he could deal with this on his own. Could he? He quickly dismissed the idea. As much as he would like to be the man who could handle everything, no problem, any man would have his limit with this situation.


    ¡°Prin, we need to ¨C¡± Elwin cut himself off. First order of business was to get some light going in here. Even though he already knew he wouldn¡¯t like what there was to see. Or what he might step on with his socked feet.


    Nevertheless, he sat up and climbed over the prince and out of the cot, stepping gingerly the few feet to the far wall where the built in table held candles and matches. He sent out a grateful prayer to whatever random gods and goddesses that may happen to be passing by, that he didn¡¯t step on anything that went squish on the way there.


    Elwin felt along the table, quickly locating the candles and the little silver match safe. He lit two candles, a justifiable extravagance, under the circumstances.


    The dim glow of the twin flames lit the small cabin, revealing that the mess was not as bad as he had feared. A large tarp was crumpled around and over the body, which seemed to have captured most of the gore, leaving the rest of the room relatively clean.


    If you looked close, you could see some splatters on the walls.


    Prin was still unclothed and sleeping deeply. Unbothered by the lights and Elwin¡¯s moving about the cabin. His clothes were folded in a neat stack in the corner of the room beside their luggage.


    Elwin picked up the stack and brought it over to the bed. He touched Prin¡¯s shoulder, then shock it gently. ¡°Prin, wake up. We have to figure out what to do. I need help.¡±


    At that last word, the grave admission of need, Prin rolled onto his back and opened his eyes. The blazing blue of them almost distracting from the huge bruise that took up most of the left side of Prin¡¯s face. It looked painful.


    ¡°What did he do to you!?¡± Elwin asked. He hadn¡¯t noticed it last night, of course, there had been a lot of blood in the way . . .


    ¡°Who?¡± Prin asked sleepily. ¡°What d¡¯you mean?¡±


    Elwin poked the edge of the bruise lightly, flinching as he did so, regretting it instantly. ¡°Does that hurt?¡±


    ¡°A little.¡± Prin said. He reached up himself and touched his face. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I just asked you.¡± Elwin pointed out.


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    ¡°Oh. It¡¯ll come to me.¡± Prin said. He rolled back over onto his side and nuzzled into the pillow.


    ¡°Wait, wait. I know you¡¯re tired. But we have to . . . we have to get rid of this body and I don¡¯t think I can do it alone. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Body!?¡± Prin rolled back over and sat up so suddenly, he almost head-butted Elwin. His face contorted with shock before you could see the realization dawn across his features. ¡°Oh . . . right. THAT guy."


    ¡°I think it was self defense . . . wasn¡¯t it.¡± Elwin fretted. Lied.


    Prin slowly nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± As though to say, if that¡¯s what we¡¯re going with.


    ¡°What should we do with it.¡± Elwin asked. His voice unconsciously dipping into a conspiratorial whisper.


    The prince rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand and yawned. ¡°Ugh, I¡¯ve got the awfullest taste in my mouth. And I¡¯m so thirsty.¡±


    Elwin hurried and got him a mug of water, poured from the pitcher that hooked to the wall so that it wouldn¡¯t slide off the table in the event of rough waves.


    Prin drank it down quickly. ¡°Thank you, El. I didn¡¯t mean you had to get it for me, but thank you.¡± He looked thoughtfully into the mug.


    Elwin sat down beside him. He scraped his hair back out of his face with a none too clean hand, of course, what did it even matter at this point. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you can even breath in here.¡± He mumbled.


    The prince wrinkled his nose. ¡°Now that you mention it . . .¡±


    ¡°You wish I hadn¡¯t?¡± Elwin felt a small smile tickling the corner of his lips. He was glad enough to have his Prin back, that nothing seemed quite as bad as it had a few minutes ago.


    Prin smiled too. ¡°You just had to draw my attention to it, now didn¡¯t you?¡± He teased.


    The prince sighed and leaned against Elwin. ¡°There is nothing all around us but water. There is nothingness all around us. Water.¡±


    Elwin nodded, knowing him, knowing what he meant. He put his arm around Prin¡¯s thin bare shoulders. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the only thing to be done really. And hopefully if they find some of him, in the water or washed up somewhere, they will think the fish and sharks got to him.¡±


    *


    Elwin helped the prince to quickly get dressed, and they both put their boots back on. Armoring up for the task ahead. They had agreed that the best thing to do was simply get it over with. There was no way to hide what they were doing, however, moving along briskly and with all due authority, to throw some rotten meat over the side of the boat by orders of the chef in charge of the galley?


    It was as close to an idea as they had, and it just might work.


    Of course, even better then that half assed excuse was to not be asked at all. Or noticed even.


    They rolled the body tightly in the tarp and Elwin took the heavier top end, leaving the feet end for Prin to carry.


    ¡°Do you have it?¡± Elwin whispered, as they navigated out through the door of their cabin with the oversized long bundle. Even with most of the meat stripped away, Mac was of course heavier than the slight chamber maid had been.


    ¡°I-I think so. Yes, I have it.¡± Prin tripped on the door frame and righted himself quickly, shifting the burden more securely in his arms.


    ¡°Careful.¡± Elwin warned. At this point you could tell when the prince was himself again, just by the way he moved if nothing else. No matter what he tried, his sense of balance and coordination was off. This being yet early days coming away from his invalid status, it really wasn¡¯t all that strange, just strange to think that the ¡°other¡± Prin had no trouble. The contrast was remarkable.


    ¡°I am.¡± Prin hissed back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Elwin walked backward through the narrow hall, quickly, but not so quickly that the prince would fall trying to keep up with him. He walked to the stars that led to above decks and traveled backwards slowly up them. ¡°You okay?¡± He asked. ¡°Got it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yes.¡± Prin said, not sounding entirely sure. ¡°Slow down.¡±


    And so they went along like this, much slower then Elwin would have liked, a bit unsteady on their feet, until they reached the deck. Elwin guided them to the nearest edge, eager to foist their burden into the waiting arms of the sea.


    There were a couple of men on deck, watching out, keeping the ship going along as it should be.


    Prin put down his end of the body and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. He smiled wanly at Elwin. ¡°I¡¯m just so tired, other than that I don¡¯t feel too bad. I¡¯m sorry for making this so hard.¡±


    Elwin felt his heart break just a little, as it always did when Prin acted so self-depreciating. He wanted to put down his end and go to him. No one seemed to be paying any attention to what they were doing out here, so Elwin lowered the top half of the body and leaned it against the railing of the ship.


    He went quickly to the prince and hugged him. ¡°Stop that. You¡¯re doing fine!¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m not, I feel like my body is as heavy as a sack of bricks.¡± Prin rested his head on Elwin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°If you threw me overboard right now I would sink to the bottom immediately.¡±


    ¡°What a thing to say.¡± Elwin said. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot, it¡¯s no wonder you¡¯re tired.¡± He took Prin¡¯s shoulders and held him back slightly so that they could look into each other¡¯s faces, eye to eye. ¡°He didn¡¯t really do anything to you, did he? He didn¡¯t touch you? You would tell me, right? I¡¯m just sorry I let him even get close!¡±


    Prin tilted his head to the side. ¡°What could you have done any different?¡± He pulled Elwin close again and nuzzled their cheeks together. ¡°I think . . . you can see now I¡¯m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.¡±


    Before Elwin could answer this, a big man with an outsized belly came hurrying up to them. ¡°Hey, hey! What are you two doing with that? What is that?¡± He pointed at the wrapped body at their feet.


    ¡°It¡¯s uhh . . . I mean we were just . . .¡± Elwin¡¯s mind blanked, as all previous thoughts and plans for what to say flew out of his head like a flock of birds. He exchanged a look with Prin.


    This guy was definitely too big for them to toss overboard, although Elwin would be lying if he said the thought didn¡¯t cross his newly emptied mind.


    And there was nowhere to run. So there went both fight and flight.

 Chapter 28

    ¡°Oh, this? Just some garbage we¡¯re tasked to get rid of.¡± Prin said smoothly, after barely a blink of a pause. He picked up his end and jerked his head toward Elwin, motioning him to do the same. ¡°See, it¡¯s rotten meat.¡± He wrinkled his nose. ¡°A health hazard just to have it around.¡± He swung his side.


    ¡°Now?¡± Elwin asked quietly.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said firmly.


    ¡°Stop that! Who told you to do this?¡± The large man had his hands on his hips. It was dark, but from what Elwin could see his face was turning red. Or maybe it was always that way.


    ¡°Go, go, go.¡± Prin prompted softly.


    Elwin took the hint and the two of them gave the wrapped corpse a good swing over the railing.


    It seemed to take a drawn out length of time to finally hear the splash below.


    ¡°I can not believe this!¡± The man said. ¡°What did you do? Was that¡ªWas that¡ª?¡±


    Elwin tensed. Was it possible they were going to have to fight him after all? There was no way they could take him. Could they?


    ¡°Was that my good canvas tarp!?¡± The man said. ¡°Used to throw out garbage?! I noticed it was missing but I really can¡¯t believe this.¡± He went to the rail and looked over the side of the boat in dismay.


    Where he was standing, Elwin could have come up behind him and given him a good shove. He shook his head hard, he couldn¡¯t believe he was even thinking this way.


    ¡°Your tarp?¡± the prince blinked, not quite processing what the man was on about. Even Prin, with his quick wits needed a moment to catch up.


    ¡°Who gave you that?¡± The man asked angrily. ¡°Who told you to use it?¡±


    ¡°That guy in the kitchen.¡± Prin said vaguely. ¡°The one who was cleaning up, you know the one.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t catch his name.¡± Elwin said, hoping he sounded natural.


    ¡°Hmm? You didn¡¯t? I thought for sure you would know.¡± Prin leaned casually against the boat¡¯s rail, in a way that Elwin really wished he wouldn¡¯t. What if the rail gave way?


    ¡°You two are useless!¡± The man with the missing tarp yelled, before stomping away. ¡°How did you think that tarp was trash! Do you think they grow on trees, or can be fished up out of the ocean!?¡± He yelled over his shoulder as he stomped away.


    When he was out of range and Elwin could finally released the breath he was holding onto tight in his chest. ¡°Well, there¡¯s one that could be fished out of the ocean.¡± He said, with a nervous laugh.


    Prin laughed too, staring over the rail, where the dark sky met the darker water. ¡°Oh gods, lets hope no one does.¡±


    *


    In the morning, they did not answer to the banging on the door. Eventually it stopped, the mystery door knocker walking away with heavy steps to leave them in peace.


    Prin put his arms around Elwin, nuzzling in closer even then he had been.


    ¡°Are you going to work?¡± He asked, half asleep voice close to Elwin¡¯s ear.


    Elwin shivered at the sensation. He felt his face grow unexpectedly hot, but didn¡¯t dare move.


    ¡°I can¡¯t face those men.¡± He said, trying to make his own voice equally soft. ¡°I can¡¯t even look at them. They were in on it together. With Mac . . .¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± the prince asked. ¡°Did they say something to you about it?¡± He pulled back from Elwin and propped himself up on his elbow.


    ¡°Not exactly to me . . .¡± Elwin made a face. ¡°More, what I overheard that I wasn¡¯t supposed to.¡±


    Elwin told Prin what had happened at work yesterday, what led him to stumbling back to their cabin like a career drunk. He told it plainly, just the facts, while leaving out the worst part. The visceral searing nature of his own fear. Both fear for Prin, and fear for himself, fear of losing all control of a volatile situation due to basically his own stupidity.


    The prince stroked Elwin¡¯s hair and the side of his cheek. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. How could you know what they were planning? And . . .¡±


    ¡°And?¡± Elwin wondered. He was half asleep again, lulled by Prin¡¯s gentle touch. By gods they had been through a lot the last few days and needed to catch up.


    ¡°It¡¯s good he showed up here, at the door, when he did.¡± The prince said. ¡°Otherwise I might have done something that I would regret.¡±


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    Elwin¡¯s eyes widened, he looked at Prin closely, trying to read his face like an intricate puzzle. 1500 pieces, snow drifts front and back.


    ¡°I feel so much better, knowing that I ate a bad person.¡± Prin said simply. A smile in his voice, if Elwin was not mistaken.


    Elwin had some qualms about this, but who was he to argue, when Prin¡¯s sweet self was laying this close to him? As well and content and sleepy as can be. Nothing seemed worth a disagreement.


    *


    Some time later, they had fallen asleep again, and knocking at the door had returned. Only this time it was lighter and more hesitant.


    Rap, rap, rap, pause, rap, rap, rap, pause.


    ¡°It¡¯s Squeaks.¡± The prince mumbled. ¡°You should let him in. He¡¯ll just keep knocking.¡±


    Elwin sat up, bringing Prin with him in his arms.


    Prin groaned and stretched his arms up over his head.


    ¡°Are you alright? Do you feel any better?¡± Elwin asked.


    A slow smile spread across the prince¡¯s face. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Rap, rap rap, pause, rap, rap, rap.


    ¡°In fact, I¡¯ll get the door myself.¡± Prin¡¯s bright eyes shot open and he hopped out of bed. He hurried the few feet across the room to the door, only stumbling once, when he tripped over his boots.


    The prince unlocked the door and opened it a crack. ¡°Hey, sorry for not coming out. I¡¯m feeling a little better now but El seems to have caught my bug.¡±


    Elwin shook his head, he couldn¡¯t get used to how smoothly Prin could lie. It was a skill he was sure that his prince didn¡¯t have a couple of weeks ago. Apparently he was a quick learner.


    ¡°Can I come in?¡± Squeaks asked.


    Prin moved aside for his friend to enter, shutting and locking the door behind him. ¡°If you want to take your chances on getting sick . . .¡±


    ¡°I brung you sumfing.¡± Squeaks held out a big bowl of soup with a kitchen towel wrapped around it to make it easier to carry. ¡°Its onions, carrots, and taters, in some chicken stock.¡±


    That¡¯s when Elwin realized he was starving, just smelling the soup from across the room was making him feel a little faint. He had no idea when he last had a meal.


    ¡°Thank you so much!¡± The prince said cheerily. He took the soup and handed it over to Elwin, who was still sitting on the bed. ¡°I¡¯m not really hungry at the moment, but El needs to keep up his strength.¡± He smiled at Squeaks as though nothing had been wrong, was currently wrong, nor would ever be wrong again.


    Squeaks seemed taken aback by this, retreating slightly into his mop of unruly hair. He looked behind him at the door, but seemed to realize that it would take too long to unlock it, hampering his ability to make a hasty retreat.


    Elwin pulled the spoon from where it was tucked between the towel and the bowl and began to eat. He scalded his mouth immediately on the hot soup, but at this point who cared.


    ¡°How are you?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°H-how ¡®bout you?¡± Squeaks went as though he were going to touch Prin¡¯s face on the bruised side but dropped his hand away before making contact. ¡°What happened? There¡¯s a lot of weird talk goin¡¯ round.¡± He gave Elwin a sideways glance, as though wondering if he could say just anything in front of him or should refrain. He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. ¡°You looks like you been in a fight.¡±


    ¡°No, nothing like that . . .¡± Prin said cagily. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to Elwin.


    Elwin was curious how he would handle this situation, but had nothing to add so he continued stuffing his face.


    ¡°You fought wiff ¡®im, didn¡¯t ya. That one.¡± Squeaks said, ignoring his denials. ¡°And now ¡®e won¡¯t even show ¡®is face around anywhere and people are saying . . . stuff.¡± He gave another look at Elwin.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°You can say anything around Elwin that you can say around me. You know how we are.¡±


    ¡°Dats right, he¡¯s your man.¡± Squeaks let a little hint of a teasing smile flit across his face before he quickly remembered the seriousness of the situation. ¡°So which one of yous killed ¡®at bastard, I wants all the ¡®tails.¡± Squeaks said firmly.


    Elwin almost choked on his soup. He coughed, trying to keep from spitting out any of the precious nourishment. He could feel his face growing hot again.


    The prince reached up and took Squeaks nervously fidgeting hand in his. ¡°It¡¯s better if you aren¡¯t involved.¡± He said. ¡°The less you know . . .¡±


    Elwin stared at Prin agog, didn¡¯t he just all but admit it?


    ¡°I hope you made ¡®im suffer.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°I ¡®ad a dream about it last night. Sometimes I does have ¡®em like ¡®at but I never told a soul about this one. It was just too sweet.¡± His dark hiding eyes sparked with something akin to glee. ¡°It was bloody, weren¡¯t it?¡±


    Prin gave him a little smile and squeezed his hand by way of answer. ¡°What are people saying, you said they were saying things?¡±


    ¡°Smithe came in the galley this mornin¡¯, just as early as can be, and started accusin¡¯ Chef of stealing this old sail he was saving for sumfing or other, his good tarp he kept sayin¡¯ and then he turn to me, with me barely awake, still rubbing sand outa my eyes and says maybe I done it. Well boff of us was bout as lost as anything. An Chef finally got fusstrated and told him where to stick it. So he left all in a huff and puff about what we done stole from him and all.¡± Squeaks said.


    The prince cringed, clearly seeing, maybe for the first time, the fatal flaw in his brilliant plan of what to tell people they were doing.


    Squeaks paused for a moment, looking at Prin curiously until he gestured for Squeaks to continue.


    ¡°So affer that, the mate, the cap¡¯ns first mate, he come in and says that someone saw the two of yous throwin¡¯ stuff offa the boat and who authorized you ta do ¡®at? So that¡¯s the secon¡¯ thing we been accused of and had no idear what they was talkin¡¯ about.


    Then, these two big fellas, what feeds the ship, came in a lookin¡¯ for Mac. They aint seen neither him nor this un.¡± He cocked his thumb towards Elwin. ¡°Since middle a yesterday. And was wondering if we had seen ¡®em. ¡®Course even if I did, I sure wouldna say a fing to those two.¡±


    Prin continued holding his hand (a point that was starting to niggle at Elwin just a little, although it bugged him that it even bugged him). ¡°It sounds like you had quite a day. I hope you didn¡¯t get in any trouble. No one thought you really stole anything, did they?¡±


    Squeaks waved his free hand through the air. ¡°No one cares about ¡®at! Exceptin¡¯ well, Smithe, but what I¡¯m sayin¡¯ is it don¡¯t take some genius to put two an two together.¡± He tapped the side of his head. ¡°An figure out what you, one a yous, both a yous, it don¡¯t matter, done. But I gotta say Imma little insulted pers¡¯nally.¡±


    The prince frowned, looking up at Squeaks from his position below him, sitting on the bed. He scrunched the blanket in his other hand, in a nervous gesture. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He said in a plaintive tone, as though what he really meant to say was ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡¯.


    Squeaks knocked on Prin¡¯s head, a soft rap like the way he knocked on doors. ¡°If yous needed to get rid of a body, ya coulda asked me for help!¡±


    It was the second time Elwin almost spit out his food.


    ¡°I couldna done it worst then you did, ya tater head.¡± Squeaks continued. ¡°Now, capn¡¯s prob¡¯ly gonna throw ya in the brig and lose the key. He aint stupid, anything I could done figure he could done figure.¡± He tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. ¡°Wiff enough time. Which he shoulda had enough of by now.¡±

 Chapter 29

    With those frightening words, Squeaks had taken his leave. The prince hopped up to lock the door behind him, before returning to sit on the bed. He sat very close to Elwin so that the length of their legs were touching.


    Elwin sat the soup bowl down and put his arm around Prin, hugging him close.


    ¡°I may have underestimated the ¨C¡± He started to say, before his words were overlapped by Prin¡¯s


    ¡°How long do you think we can ¨C¡± Prin said. ¡°Sorry, you go ahead.¡±


    ¡°No, you first, it¡¯s okay.¡± Elwin said. He patted the prince where his hand curved around his side.


    ¡°Is it? Is it okay?¡± The prince¡¯s brilliant eyes were back to giving away his every emotion, and this time was a pure anxiety, a need to be comforted.


    ¡°It has to be.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Because it is what it is, and now we have to deal with it. Even if we did screw up royally.¡± He flinched. Maybe he shouldn¡¯t have said that, that was not a very comforting thing to say. ¡°I just mean we have to keep moving forward from here, whether it¡¯s okay or not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Prin said. He looked down at his lap.


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure if he was sorry he had killed again, or just sorry they were now going through the consequences of their bad disposal job. Probably the latter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be.¡± Elwin said. ¡°We did the best we could. It¡¯s not like I had any better ideas. There are only so many places to stick a body on a damn boat.¡±


    Prin laughed at that, it was a sad little laugh but better then nothing. Elwin would take it.


    Then, the door was knocked on harshly and Elwin held his breath again, trying to be as still and quiet as possible. As though that would help anything. He felt Prin tense up in his arms, and he knew that he was doing the same.


    ¡°Come to the captains quarters.¡± A loud unfamiliar voice demanded from the other side of the door. ¡°The captain would like to see you now.¡±


    After a long moment of silence, the prince having reached over and grabbed Elwin¡¯s hand, clutching it a little too hard. The voice added. ¡°This is not a request.¡± Before walking away, heavy boot sounds retreating down the hall.


    ¡°I guess we really have no choice now.¡± Elwin said. He hoped that the prince would do all the talking when they were in front of the captain, who intimidated him a little if he was being honest. ¡°Might as well go talk to good old Captain Beams.¡± He started to get up from the bed, but Prin motioned him back down.


    ¡°I think we should stall as much as possible.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t see how there is any more trouble we could get in then we are already in so . . .¡±


    ¡°Whatever you think we should tell him, I will back you up on.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Prin had a perfect coal-black ringlet of hair resting on his shoulder, and Elwin idly played with it. The worst thing he could imagine is if they were split up, anything else he figured he could handle.


    ¡°Just . . . play stupid I guess.¡± Prin said. ¡°Whatever they ask, you just have no idea what they¡¯re talking about. Okay?¡± He leaned over so that his face was in front of Elwin¡¯s suddenly. His blue eyes gleaming with unshed tears that reflected the meager candle light. ¡°If anyone gets in trouble for anything I want it to be me. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±


    Elwin put his hand on the back of Prin¡¯s head, pulling his face closer still. He wanted to kiss him, but knew the timing was beyond inappropriate. Still, the want was there, and strong. ¡°Are you scared?¡± He asked.


    Prin pulled away and out of his grasp. The moment, no matter how bad the timing, now past for good. ¡°No, no, just nervous.¡± He sat beside Elwin rigid and straight, like an ice statue, a glacier prince.


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± Elwin teased. He knew his own calm was something akin to unnatural, but he always was good in emergencies. Or maybe he was just in shock.


    Before Prin could answer the door was banged on again, this time much more forcefully.


    Prin remained still, as frozen things do.


    ¡°Get out of there you scallywags!¡± Captain Beams voice was louder than Elwin had thought it could get. ¡°Just because this is my ship, don¡¯t think I wont tear it down to flush out some rats!¡± He paused for an answer, but when none was forthcoming, he continued. ¡°Things will go worse for you if you make me have to.¡±


    Elwin stood up and went to the door. The way he figured it, the captain wouldn¡¯t actually have to tear the ship apart, not even tear the door down, all he would have to do would be to go get someone with tools and they would have the door apart at its hinges in five minutes. He didn¡¯t want that to be five minutes that that Captain could continue to stew and work himself into a rage.


    He unlocked the door and opened it wide.


    The old man was standing there, his face red and his white beard swinging around like it had a mind of his own. He reminded Elwin of a fairy tale character, Rumpelstiltskin.


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    There was a cool-headed looking man beside him, with greying temples and shrewd looking eyes. His manner of dress was very tidy, almost formal. Elwin had him figured for the first mate.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Elwin asked. He had meant it to come out all cool and manly but there was a hitch in his voice, in the middle of the sentence, that he happened to know thanks to Dolce, was a tell that he was getting ready to lie. Thankfully, these folks didn¡¯t know that.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on!? I could twist your ear right off your head you cheeky little boy.¡± Captain Beams said. ¡°Come to my chambers. Now. For a meeting. And bring that one with you.¡± He gestured towards Prin as though he were an afterthought, but not one the captain was willing to forget about.


    The prince stood up and got his walking stick, following Elwin out as he followed the two men back to the captain¡¯s quarters. Elwin looked over his shoulder at him once, thinking that tears would be a good thing right about now. There were none.


    As they walked several of the crewmen stopped what they were doing to watch them, Elwin recognized one of the nasty men he had worked with shoveling the coal. Yes, it was clear that people were saying stuff, as Squeaks had put it.


    The first mate was the one who opened the captain¡¯s door. It was not as Elwin had expected, an ornate and decorative affair, it was instead plain hard wood, just as the door to their own modest cabin, except maybe wider. The illustrations from Prin¡¯s books had lied to them.


    The first mate waited until they all had entered before following them and closing the door behind him.


    The office held a heavy desk covered in papers and ledger books, what surface area you could see was scarred and pockmarked with age and heavy use. Behind it was a massive throne like wooden chair and in front of it a couple of chairs with red velvet cushions.


    ¡°Sit.¡± Captain Beams demanded.


    The first mate cast Elwin a look as though to say, you don¡¯t want to be forced into that chair.


    Elwin hadn¡¯t planned on making it come to that anyway, he didn¡¯t need the reminder. He sat down in one of the cushioned chairs, involuntarily enjoying the comfort for a second before he was jolted back to the harshness of the imminent moment.


    Prin sat down in the other chair beside him, leaning his walking stick up against the chair¡¯s wooden arm. He seemed to have regained his composure. Although Elwin still maintained, inwardly, that a few tears in combination with that bruise could have done them a world of good.


    He wondered if it would do them any good if he cried but quickly dismissed the notion.


    ¡°I heard one of my men is missing and the two of you are directly responsible.¡± Captain Beams said, coming straight to the heart of the matter. ¡°On top of that, you ignore my summons! Making me look bad on my own ship.¡± The captain grumbled.


    ¡°Sir, theys just skeered.¡± A timid voice spoke up from the corner of the room.


    Elwin looked behind him and nearly jumped out of his skin to see Squeaks standing in the corner, blending into the shadows like he belonged with them. He turned his head back to look at Prin, who wore the barest hint of a smile, happy to see his friend in their corner, literally and figuratively.


    ¡°They don¡¯t look scared.¡± The captain narrowed his eyes at them suspiciously.


    ¡°Theys just kids, an shouldna be workin¡¯ on a boat.¡± Squeaks said.


    ¡°I took pity on them.¡± The captain said, with a look that said, much to my regret. The corners of his mustache dropped.


    ¡°We all start in this line of work at about their age.¡± The first mate said.


    ¡°Well, young¡¯uns or not, what do you have to say for yourselves?¡± The captain asked. ¡°If you had a problem with one of my men, you should have just come to me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to go for help when some¡¯ne has you cornered.¡± Squeaks said. ¡°Lookit him. S¡¯clear he aint so good at fightin¡¯ but he had ta try.¡± He went to stand beside Prin¡¯s chair in solidarity. ¡°I toldya . . . What happened to me a¡¯ready. So¡¯s ya know what that man was like.¡±


    ¡°You told him?¡± Prin cast an admiring glance up at Squeaks, who was clearly playing the hero of the moment.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the first thing I had heard about Mac that didn¡¯t sit well.¡± The captain said. ¡°But before now it was just rumors, and he always did his job reliably.¡±


    The first mate nodded in agreement. ¡°A lot of the men here came from rough backgrounds. It¡¯s true though, I found that man unsettling, personally.¡±


    The captain came around his desk and went to Prin. He bent down and touched Prin¡¯s face, tilting it upward to get a better look. ¡°That¡¯s a nasty one.¡± He said. ¡°Is it true that Mac tried to attack you?¡±


    ¡°I-yes.¡± Prin said. He blinked rapidly, casting his blue eyes like the eyes of painted cupids on a temple wall, up at the captain.


    Well, it wasn¡¯t tears but he was trying.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t kill him, did you?¡± The captain released his face, having seen enough, and went back behind his desk. He sat with a heavy thud on his throne-like chair. ¡°I don¡¯t think you have it in ya. It was that one, wasn¡¯t it?¡± He cocked his thumb at Elwin.


    ¡°No!¡± Prin protested.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said plainly, speaking over Prin. ¡°And I¡¯m not ashamed of it. Mac tried to drug me to keep me out of his way, but I didn¡¯t drink as much as he had intended. When I woke up I ran back to the cabin and burst in on him ¨C And I stabbed him to get him off Prin. I would do it again too. No regrets.¡± He hoped his story was close enough to the actual truth to be believable. It felt real anyway.


    Prin gave him a look of utter horror. But he didn¡¯t say anything to contradict Elwin¡¯s story.


    No one would have believed that the prince had killed that man, more then double his own weight anyway, Elwin figured. He was just trying to give them a story that sounded legitimate.


    ¡°They¡¯re both good fellas.¡± Squeaks said, trying to help. ¡°They would never do summing like ¡®at for no good reason.¡±


    ¡°Well what in hells fury am I supposed to do with you two?¡± Captain Beams asked. ¡°I can¡¯t have murderers just hanging around my ship, taking a free ride and disturbing the crew!¡±


    ¡°If you put them in the brig they¡¯ll be retaliated against.¡± The first mate said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I know that?¡± The captain huffed. ¡°I can¡¯t just let them do whatever they want, we¡¯re still days away from port.¡±


    The first mate scratched his chin reflectively. ¡°We aren¡¯t far from Peacock Island, not far at all.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting close to that place, it isn¡¯t done.¡± The captain said sternly.


    ¡°Peacock Island!¡± Squeaks said. ¡°That¡¯s the old name for that place . . . You can¡¯t take ¡®em there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing any such thing.¡± The captain crossed his arms over his chest with an air of finality.


    ¡°We do still have one of the old lifeboats left.¡± The first mate said. ¡°Do for replacement but still sound.¡±


    ¡°Old or not, it¡¯s worth money.¡± The captain huffed.


    Elwin looked at Squeaks, who¡¯s eyes were wide as he looked from Elwin to Prin and back again, as though trying to convey a silent message that they just weren¡¯t smart enough to pick up on. But he clearly wished that they were.


    ¡°Sometimes it costs a little money to solve a problem.¡± The first mate said smoothly. ¡°Put them out on the boat and they can make their own way to shore. Then they are someone else¡¯s problem. Also, stops the men from drinking under the old boat at night. Frees up the deck space, etcetera.¡± He seemed well satisfied with this solution, even if the captain and Squeaks both seemed unsure about it.


    What was this island like anyway? Elwin didn¡¯t want to go to the brig so he kept his mouth shut.

 Chapter 30

    That¡¯s how they ended up in a wooden lifeboat with two oars, that were battered and splintered to near unusability, and Squeaks clinging to the ladder on the side of the mother boat to toss their luggage out to them. Good old Squeaks. With, fortunately, good old aim.


    Elwin caught the bags and tucked them at Prin¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Don¡¯t g¡¯way yet!¡± Squeaks called. He scurried back up the ladder and disappeared onto the ship.


    ¡°What are we going to do.¡± Prin sighed. He put his elbows on his knees and rested his head on his hands. He was sitting on the boat¡¯s tiny wooden bench and clutching his walking stick like a security blanket.


    The boat was old dark wood with brass fixtures and a crack on one side, that the first mate had assured them was repaired and sealed completely. It did appear to be watertight. For now.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re gonna wait for Squeaks to get back. Even though, I don¡¯t really trust this thing.¡± Elwin said. He bent down to poke at the crack in the boats side before quickly thinking better of it.


    ¡°He¡¯s a good friend.¡± Prin said. ¡°Unlike me.¡±


    ¡°Why would you say that?¡± Elwin said. He leaned in close to Prin¡¯s head to whisper. ¡°Did you not kill his tormenter?¡± Elwin just wanted Prin to be happy, he would say anything to get the job done. It was hard to be happy in their present predicament.


    Prin perked up instantly. His eyes sparkled like two pieces of pretty water separated from the larger ocean. ¡°I did, that¡¯s true!¡±


    Elwin put his hand above his eyes to shield it from the brightness of the sun and looked out toward the horizon. There was something there like a cookie crumb in the distance. He did not like the looks of the length of water between here and there. Even though the water itself was looking fine and the sky was clear. A crisp breeze blew over the water with little waves romping along beneath it like a pack of puppies.


    Squeaks came back down the ladder, precariously holding a burlap sack over his shoulder.


    ¡°You gotta have some sus¡¯tence for the journey!¡± He waited until Elwin was ready with arms outstretched before tossing the bag over to him.


    Elwin caught it in his arms and peeked inside. A pottery jug and some bread, along with a couple of wrapped parcels of food. ¡°Thank you.¡± Elwin said. This made him feel better about the distance they would have to go. Slightly.


    Prin stood up quickly, making the boat rock precariously under his feet.


    ¡°Whoa, careful.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Maybe you should just . . .¡±


    ¡°Come with us!¡± the prince called to Squeaks. ¡°Whatever they¡¯ve got on Peacock Island has got to be better then where you¡¯re coming from.¡±


    Squeaks had a grave look on his face. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to scare ya, but they don¡¯t call it Peacock Island no more, not now its overrun by pirates.¡±


    ¡°Pirates?¡± Prin tilted his head to the side, and Elwin could practically hear the gears turning as he pictured the colorful sword waving figures from his books. He was suppressing a smile, trying to take the news as solemnly as it was given. And failing.


    ¡°S¡¯no laughing matter. They are a rough bunch.¡± Squeaks said. His foot went to slip and he rebalanced himself quickly, holding tight to the ladders rungs now with both hands while he craned his neck to look at them. ¡°Listen, the islands gots two sides, one where the pirates docks their ships and unload cargo, an they gots their own hotels and entertainments. And the other side¡¯s mainly the rich folk whats come aroun¡¯ for their own fun and business stuff. What remains of the hot springs and resorts an the like. I would stay on ¡®at side, I was you.¡±


    ¡°How do you know all this?¡± Elwin wondered.


    ¡°I was ¡®ere once before and I don¡¯t plan ta go back.¡± Squeaks said. He switched his gaze from one to the other, finally landing on Prin with a tender look. ¡°You¡¯ll be a¡¯right though, just keep yer head down and mind yer business. And get offa the island as soon as you can.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± The prince said earnestly. ¡°Not just for the advice and the supplies, but for everything. I won¡¯t ever forget it. But I do still wish you were coming with us.¡±


    ¡°I kinder do too.¡± Squeaks said regretfully. ¡°But I better get offa this slipp¡¯ry ladder and yous two better get to rowin¡¯!¡± He declared. With one last backward glance, he was gone up the side of the ship and they were alone.


    Elwin looked at the big ship that was still beside them, and the little crumb on the horizon. ¡°How long do you think it will be until it gets dark?¡±


    ¡°A while, hours.¡± Prin said, joining him in his distant gaze across the long stretch of water.


    ¡°Not long enough.¡± Elwin made a face. Maybe he shouldn¡¯t have said that, it wasn¡¯t very encouraging.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Prin plopped down in his seat, with alarming forcefulness, causing the boat to rock side to side. He picked up an oar. ¡°We had better get started then!¡± He grinned up at Elwin. ¡°So, how do we make this thing go?¡±


    Elwin sat down on his own little bench, opposite Prin. He was already weary at the thought of this. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure, but I do know one thing. Whatever you do, don¡¯t drop the oar.¡±


    It took a while, an exhausting while, for them to settle on how it was you move the boat forward. Not to the right, not to the left so far that you go in a continuous circle. Not backwards into the mother boat they had just come from.


    It took Prin¡¯s gentle insistence that you must row sitting backwards, and his demonstration of such, that finally began to show progress in the right direction. Both oars being churned (stirred?), by the same person, who¡¯s back was facing the destination. Who knew?


    It was much as Prin had gleaned from his books, Elwin supposed.


    The prince rowed for a while until his arms grew too tired and sore to continue. Then, they carefully switched positions and Elwin continued the momentum.


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    Prin laid back with his head on the luggage. ¡°At least it¡¯s a nice day.¡± He said, watching the sky.


    The gulls lazily swooping toward the surface of the blue, and back again. ¡°How are your arms?¡±


    ¡°This is nothing to shoveling coal.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°It better be a cloudless night.¡± Prin commented.


    Elwin looked over his shoulder. The crumb was coming closer to them, becoming the whole cookie and not just a crumb but, the sun was getting lower. The golden lantern of late afternoon would soon be snuffed, well before they reached any sort of shoreline. By his estimation.


    ¡°Yep.¡± He said.


    The prince sat back up. ¡°By goddess its beautiful out here though!¡± He put his hand above his eyes to shield them from the blinding rays. ¡°The sun is like . . . it¡¯s like it¡¯s dripping down onto the water and there are golden puddles of it floating on the waves.¡± He reached out as though to catch some of the light in his cupped hand.


    Elwin watched the prince while he rowed, it was beautiful out here, but he had something even nicer to look at then the sky or water. ¡°Are you warm enough?¡± He wondered. When the sun went down, it would get colder still. Although he wasn¡¯t worried for himself, since the rowing was keeping him quite toasty.


    Prin pulled his cloak in closer around him, turning back to face Elwin with a beatific smile. ¡°Yep. In fact, I feel so good, I¡¯d like to go for a swim!¡± He leaned over the side of the little boat so that he could trail his hand in the water. ¡°Oh, it is a little cold. But I could handle it. Maybe just a dip, okay?¡± He took off his cloak and let it puddle around him. He was halfway out of his shirt as well before Elwin was able to stop him.


    ¡°Wait a second!¡± Elwin protested. ¡°Do you even know how to swim?¡± There was no way he did. Having spent the vast majority of his life not only on dry land but many dozens of feet above even that.


    ¡°How? How do I know if I know how to swim unless I try? Is it not a natural thing?¡± Prin wriggled out of his shirt and cast his eyes to Elwin in dismay. ¡°To swim? Is what we do before we are even born.¡±


    ¡°That . . . may be so.¡± Elwin said, having no idea whether that was an accurate statement or not. ¡°But by the time we have grown legs, we¡¯ve forgotten the whole thing!¡± Elwin pictured a baby as a large tadpole swimming around its mothers innards, and felt that must be more or less accurate.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Prin slowly put his shirt back on, disappointed.


    ¡°We just have to be taught is all. I¡¯ll teach you. After this, you know, after we land and all.¡± Elwin said. Never mind he barely knew how to float himself. If that. He would figure it out.


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s too cold anyway right now.¡± Prin put his cloak back on. He got the bag from Squeaks and started pawing through it. ¡°Ooo, apples, cheese, some . . . more cheese I think, bread. And the jug is . . .¡± He wiggled the cork out of the top and sniffed it. ¡°Just water.¡± He grinned. ¡°I thought it might be some of that quack medicine with the high alcohol content.¡± The prince laughed.


    ¡°No more booze for me, ever.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I can¡¯t trust it. I will take a drink of water though. Can you . . .?¡± He leaned toward Prin, not wanting to quit rowing long enough to take a drink. Not with the diminishing daylight.


    ¡°Oh, sure, let me just. . .¡± Prin brought the jug close to Elwin¡¯s lips and helped him take a drink. ¡°Is that better?¡±


    Elwin swallowed the water and smiled at the prince. When his face was this close, it was amazing. The dark circles under Prin¡¯s eyes had vastly diminished and his pale skin was more porcelain and less the almost grey visage of death. Something he ate clearly agreed with him.


    ¡°You have amazing eyelashes.¡± Elwin said, in lieu of those more disturbing thoughts.


    Prin laughed. ¡°The things you say!¡± He dug around in the bag some more and pulled out some cheese, which smelled sharp and rich. ¡°It¡¯s almost like you¡¯re trying to get me to like you.¡± He winked. ¡°Too late on that one.¡±


    The prince looked at the fist sized block of cheese in his hand, and set it down, rummaging in his luggage until he came up with the small silver knife, a little bigger than a letter opener.


    With a jolt, Elwin realized where else that knife may have been. It was on the table in their room on the boat, when he . . .


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Prin said, responding to something on his face. ¡°I won¡¯t cut myself. Working in the kitchen these last few days made me more comfortable with a knife.¡±


    Prin sliced the block of cheese into more manageable chunks with his sharp knife.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it did.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Can I . .?¡± He opened his mouth like a baby bird, hoping some cheese would jump in.


    The light became more golden as the sun bid its colorful farewell. Gold and orange and pink, sliding into lavender and violet. Colors of a hue that really do appear in nature, although it was hard to believe it unless it was right in front of your eyes.


    Elwin couldn¡¯t fully enjoy it since he knew it was a sign to very much not stop rowing.


    Prin was looking down at his hands as he cut, and not at Elwin¡¯s face. He released a shaky big sigh. ¡°I didn¡¯t say goodbye to him properly.¡± When he finally looked up, fat droplets that reflected the technicolor sky rolled down his cheeks.


    Sure, now he cries.


    ¡°Who?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Squeaks! My only friend.¡± The prince wiped his face with his sleeve.


    ¡°Awww Priny, you only knew him for a few days!¡± Elwin said unhelpfully.


    ¡°What does that matter?¡± Prin asked, his eyes narrowed at Elwin. Not quite a glare, but annoyed. He let out a sob.


    Elwin put down his oars, carefully, so as not to lose them over the side. He reached for Prin and pulled him into a, again very carefully, hug. ¡°You said goodbye to him properly! I think he definitely knew how you felt about him.¡± He patted Prin¡¯s back, watching the light drain away over the ocean and the cookie they were rowing towards become harder to see, over his shoulder. What did it matter, they weren¡¯t going to make it to the island in daylight anyway.


    The prince nuzzled into Elwin, wiping his tears on Elwin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I think I¡¯m just really overwhelmed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s understandable.¡± Elwin said. Me too, was what he didn¡¯t speak out loud. ¡°At least you¡¯ll always have me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t count.¡± Prin said. ¡°You¡¯ve loved me since we were two years old.¡±


    ¡°Thi-this is true.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Would¡¯ve been longer except I didn¡¯t know you yet. My world was in darkness.¡± He teased.


    The prince pulled back and smacked him in the shoulder, but his face was alight with a playful grin. ¡°Silly.¡±


    Prin went back to his side of the boat and doled out the cheese and bread.


    The two of them ate in contemplative silence, a break in the rowing, as the sun came down and a new world appeared around them.


    It wasn¡¯t pitch black, thankfully, not like darkness Elwin had seen before, but more like a darkness that was punctuated by light from the stars and the half pie of the moon. And, inexplicably, from the water, the tips of the little waves, merely ripples, shining white to compete with the stars.


    ¡°Shall I take a turn now? I can row for a while.¡± Prin suggested.


    ¡°If you want to, but really it¡¯s fine either way.¡± In reality Elwin could use the break, his muscles being pulled in a different way then what it had taken to shovel the coal, was making all the stiff and soreness that he had been trying to ignore start to gang up on him. ¡°I can keep going.¡±


    ¡°It might be a long night. On the sea.¡± Prin pointed out. ¡°We¡¯re going to have to switch off every now and then.¡±


    Prin stood up and shuffled along toward Elwin. ¡°You can even take a nap if you wa--.¡± Before he could get the words out he pitched forward into Elwin.


    Elwin almost dropped the oars but luckily he was holding them with a death grip and managed to catch Prin without letting go of them. ¡°Careful!¡±


    ¡°Something bumped into the boat.¡± Prin said, practically on Elwin¡¯s lap and breathing heavily.


    Elwin, as always disinclined to argue with his prince, hadn¡¯t noticed a thing and couldn¡¯t help saying so. ¡°You probably just tripped, I don¡¯t think we hit anything.¡±


    Prin disentangled himself and shakily got to his feet. ¡°No, I think something hit us.¡± His eyes were moon wide.


    Elwin set the oars down across the boat. He stood up and reached out his hand to Prin. ¡°I¡¯m sure its nothing.¡± No sooner had the famous last words left his mouth then something pushed at the bottom of the boat, raising it half a foot out of the water.


    Prin toppled sideways and Elwin grabbed for him, pulling him back from the edge and they huddled together on the floor of the boat.


    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Something bumped into the boat.¡± Prin whispered, as though afraid it would hear them.

 Chapter 31

    ¡°Shh, stay still, maybe it¡¯ll go away.¡± Prin whispered.


    ¡°What is it? An animal? Or just some kind of debris?¡± Elwin¡¯s voice unconsciously lowered to match Prin¡¯s volume.


    ¡°There are all kinds of creatures in the ocean.¡± The prince said. ¡°Fish, and giant squid, eels, and mermaids, whales. And big things they don¡¯t even have names for.¡±


    ¡°Things bigger than whales?¡± Elwin said. ¡°Mermaids!?¡±


    Prin gave him a look.


    Just then something bumped the boat again, and the side began to dip down.


    Elwin had a sudden panic that the boat was about to be overturned. He closed his eyes tight, opening them again almost immediately when instead of the rush of ice-cold water he heard the sharp gasping intake of breath from the prince.


    A creature indeed had put its head over the side of the boat. It was pale skinned, bigger than a person, with a misshapen head and long snout open wide and full of teeth!


    The thing inched forward, threatening to tip the boat in its attempt to climb on board. It closed its mouth and poked Prin¡¯s leg with the end of its long snout.


    Prin screamed, an excited, terrified burst. Causing Elwin to scream in a domino effect, and then the creature opened its mouth wide again and let out a loud honk.


    Elwin grabbed blindly for the oar behind him, thinking maybe if he hit the thing it would retreat.


    But before he could reach it, he was startled again by Prin bursting out in peals of laughter, Excited, nervous, manic laughter.


    The thing honked again, almost in answer, and used its nose to snuffle around their luggage. It flapped a flipper on the boards of the boat as it honked, nosily hunting for something. Its eyes were far apart on each side of the head, making it hard for it to see what was directly in front of it. It pulled back slightly and showed its lumpy profile, looking the prince directly in the eye.


    Prin continued to laugh in helpless hysterics until Elwin became worried for him.


    ¡°We should -We should hit it.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin stopped laughing and looked at him aghast. He went to the bag filled with food from Squeaks and held it out to the creature. ¡°Is this what you¡¯re looking for?¡± He hiccupped weakly like a child who had been crying.


    The creature stuck its long pale nose into the bag and snuffled out a piece of cheese, making quick work of it, paper wrapping and all.


    ¡°How about this?¡± Prin held out an apple.


    The creature opened its mouth wide and gobbled the apple in one bite.


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t choke on the core.¡± Prin said. He held out a hunk of bread and patted the things flipper as it took the bread from his other hand. ¡°I think it¡¯s friendly!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried for your fingers, not to mention the boat.¡± Elwin fretted.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough now.¡± Prin told the thing gently.


    The boat was rocked yet again as dozens of pale tentacles came up from the water and over the side of the boat, creeping and wriggling toward Prin.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± Prin screamed. He scooted backwards but didn¡¯t have far to go before he hit the opposite side of the boat. The tentacles advanced like so many fat worms, poking nooks and crannies of the boat and into the luggage, almost like they were independent creatures and not sightless appendages of the thing. One took it upon itself to wrap around the toe of Prin¡¯s boot.


    He took the sack of food and threw it as far as he could into the ocean.


    The thing gave a disapproving honk as it flopped away over the side of the boat, taking its tentacles with it and swimming off toward the discarded food.


    ¡°Go, go! Before it runs out and decides to eat us next.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin scrambled into his seat and rowed toward the island with a burst of speed he didn¡¯t know he was capable of. He doubted very much that they could outrun the creature, which seemed very capable in all ways, but he had to do something.


    ¡°Was that . . a mermaid?¡± Prin asked, eyes once again as round and wide as full moons.


    After the mermaid encounter, there was no chance of getting tired again any time soon. And they had lost all of their food.


    So, they made good time to Peacock Island, switching off rowing now and then, and letting the adrenaline carry them through. Prin was uncharacteristically quiet.


    As they approached the beach, the sun was rising again, and the prince was rowing.


    Elwin stood up to watch the beach come into view. ¡°Wow, I¡¯m surprised we didn¡¯t come up on a rocky cliff or something with nowhere to land.¡± He said.


    ¡°Right or left?¡± Prin asked. ¡°Sit back down.¡±


    Elwin sat down. ¡°Uh, slightly to the left would be better. That looks like a good spot. Now . . . the million dollar question. Is this pirate side or rich people side?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be fine either way.¡± Prin said, speaking it into truth.


    When the water got shallow, Elwin got out and pulled the boat toward shore, eventually joined by Prin. Although it was a shame they both had to get boots and pants legs full of cold salt water. And no one even gave a thought to taking them off, until it was too late.


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    ¡°We have to bring it up far enough ashore to avoid the sea reclaiming it.¡± The prince said.


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure what it mattered, since he didn¡¯t plan on ever getting back in the rickety lifeboat again, but he didn¡¯t argue. He could sense Prin was in no kind of mood for it.


    They pulled and dragged the heavy boat well up onto the shore.


    Prin flopped onto the sand beside the boat, throwing his arm up over his face. ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Elwin sat down beside him. ¡°Sorry for what?¡± He picked at the sodden laces on his boots. He was cold, and the wet feet weren¡¯t doing him any favors. Finally, the laces released and he was able to kick off his shoes and peel off his socks. He rolled the wet part of his pants up, not wanting to take them off altogether.


    The sand felt good on his sore feet. It was pale yellow-white like sweet corn in the early morning rays.


    There was no one on the beach but the two of them, and no sign of humans having ever been there at all. It was nice.


    ¡°I lost all of our food.¡± Prin said. ¡°I was stupid.¡±


    ¡°At least we still have the water.¡± Elwin said. He got up and rummaged the jug of water and a couple of pairs of dry socks out of their luggage, bringing them back to Prin. ¡°Besides, you very well might have saved our lives back there.¡±


    ¡°Nah.¡± Prin said. ¡°I doubt it.¡±


    ¡°What might have happened if I hit it with the oar?¡± Elwin wondered. ¡°I think it would have made it really really angry.¡± He laughed sheepishly. ¡°Not my finest idea.¡±


    Prin seemed despondent, but Elwin was willing to bet exhaustion was the main culprit. As it wasn¡¯t like him to be so pessimistic.


    Elwin took Prin¡¯s shoes and socks off. ¡°Lets get you some dry feet and sleep for a while. I think that¡¯s the best thing for it.¡± He put the dry socks on Prin¡¯s feet and rolled up his pants legs. ¡°On the boat might be better?¡±


    Prin shrugged, staying where he was in the sand.


    Elwin, who very well might have been feeling some of the effects of sleep-drunk himself, lay down beside Prin and waves his arms and legs around in the sand. ¡°We used to do this in the snow sometimes! Me and Dolce. Snow eagles!¡± He stood up again and pointed to the marks in the sand. ¡°See the wings and the tail feathers.¡±


    Prin laughed weakly.


    ¡°Come on, come on, try it! It¡¯s good luck.¡± Elwin enticed. He wiggled Prin¡¯s arms for him. ¡°Like this.¡±


    Prin moved his arms and legs and then sat up to look at the results. ¡°Okay, okay . . . it¡¯s ki-ind of a bird. But that aint no eagle.¡±


    Elwin laughed. He reached down and pulled Prin up. ¡°Come on, get up. You don¡¯t know what kind of creepy crawlers might get in your ears if you go to sleep in the sand. Besides, it¡¯s cold.¡± Elwin went to the boat and made them a bed as best he could with the one thin blanket they had brought and a strewn out arrangement of clothes.


    They went to sleep in each other¡¯s arms, with Prin¡¯s cloak over them for warmth, hoping tomorrow, or today rather, would be a better day.


    Elwin pulled the cover up over his eyes. He must have forgotten to close the curtains before he went to bed because now the full force of the sun was invading his bedroom, threatening to create a monster headache behind his eyes.


    There was also noise, some talking and laughing. The kids in the courtyard, no doubt. He would have to get up soon and go check on Prin, as was his morning routine. Still, just a few more minutes would be nice.


    ¡°Pirate. Island. Pirate. Island. Pirate. Island.¡± An excited voice was repeating, way too close to his face.


    Elwin removed the cover, and Prin¡¯s face, dusted with fine sand, sparkling with barely restrained glee, was mere inches away. ¡°What?¡± Elwin asked groggily. He felt the dizzying lurch of his reality adjusting, as he realized that he was not back in his own little bedroom in TallHillde at all, and in fact that had been . . . half a week ago? And it felt like more.


    ¡°We¡¯re here! We have to check it out.¡± Prin said. He sat up and patted Elwin¡¯s chest. ¡°Come on, we can¡¯t sleep all day.¡± He got out the water jug and took a drink. ¡°Here, finish this off. We¡¯ll have to refill it somewhere today.¡±


    Elwin sat up slightly, with a groan that he wasn¡¯t sure came out of his mouth or the creaky complaint of his joints. He took the last couple of drinks from the water jug, his mouth still feeling sandy afterwards.


    Looking around, the beach was just as deserted as this morning. It was just a small section of shoreline cradled between the ocean and a half ring of trees. By the quality of the light, it must be afternoon by now.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe no one bothered us by now.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Just lucky I guess.¡± Prin said with a smile. He took off his socks and tossed them in the sand, going out to just where the water kissed his toes. ¡°I do see a few ships out there. But I guess this cove is too small for a dock, so it¡¯s useless.¡± He put his hand above his eyes to block the strength of the rays.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to get a sunburn, be careful.¡± Elwin said. He was so groggy, he was having trouble getting the motivation to move.


    ¡°I could use a little color.¡± Prin said. ¡°Do I have freckles yet?¡± He looked back over his shoulder at Elwin.


    ¡°Not yet.¡± Elwin said. Just a whopper of a big bruise. He frowned, not liking to remember what happened on the big boat.


    It was warmer now than it had been this morning, but it was still early fall, ushering in the oncoming bite of winter. Prin was only dressed in his shirt and rolled up pants. Elwin was surprised he could stand it.


    ¡°I have your sweater here.¡± He said, holding up the warm blue sweater that Prin had worn frequently in his tower days.


    ¡°Hey, there are shells here!¡± Prin ignored him, bending to pick up a shell from near his foot. ¡°Oh, what¡¯s this? Some pirate treasure?¡± He came back to Elwin and showed him a little pink and white seashell and a shining silver ring, held in his slender fingers. He dropped the loot in Elwin¡¯s palm. ¡°Do you think . . . that fell out of a pirate¡¯s nose?¡± He wrinkled his own nose at the thought.


    Elwin laughed. ¡°Nah, just off one¡¯s finger.¡± He took the ring and slipped it onto Prin¡¯s thumb. He was almost surprised to see that after all they had been through, the gold and clear stone ring was still on his pinky. ¡°You should go back where you found it and see if there¡¯s anything else.¡±


    Prin went back to the edge of the water and dig around with his toe for a bit. ¡°I think it was probably washed in from somewhere else.¡± He said.


    Elwin got out of the boat and stretched each limb gingerly. Oh yeah, he would be needing a real bed tonight if at all possible. Probably not possible. He wasn¡¯t sure how much a night at an Inn cost, but was fairly certain he didn¡¯t have it in the change left over from the loan Dolce had given him.


    Making some money while the sun still shone would have to be their first priority. Elwin folded the clothes and blanket back up and repacked them into the two back packs. Thinking better of his packing, he repacked them so that clothes and the blanket, less important stuff, was in the larger of the two and the more expensive to replace or necessary gear was in the other. There was no use carrying their clothes around with them all day.


    The prince came back, by this time shivering and trying to wriggle his bare toes into the sand for warmth. He crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°What¡¯s next boss?¡± He teased.


    Elwin hugged Prin close, running his hands up and down the thin young man¡¯s arms in an effort to impart warmth. ¡°We have to look for work. Maybe if we can find a dock where they are unloading goods? Or maybe a farmer? When we get into town, keep your eyes peeled.¡±


    ¡°Ah, okay.¡± Prin nodded. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to sleep in the boat again.¡± Elwin said. He sat down and roughly brushed the sand from Prin¡¯s feet before putting his socks and boots back on. ¡°Here.¡± He put Prin¡¯s cloak around his shoulders, and put on his own as well. ¡°Is that better.¡±


    ¡°Much warmer.¡± Prin agreed. ¡°Hey, you know, I was thinking. Even though we got off track, and didn¡¯t land at the next port where we were planning to go, this might be the best thing that could have happened.¡± He looked at Elwin with shining hopeful eyes, eyes where Elwin could almost swear he could see the clock work gears turning away behind the crystalline blue surface.


    ¡°Yeah? How¡¯s that?¡± Elwin asked, he fiddled around with the clasp on Prin¡¯s cloak, getting it centered and closed securely.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think pirates and witches definitely know each other?¡± The prince asked.

 Chapter 32

    ¡°I mean, wouldn¡¯t they travel in the same social circles, so to speak?¡± Prin asked.


    Elwin snorted. ¡°I highly doubt that.¡± The prince must have been thinking of a story from one of his fairy tale books, it was definitely plausible that pirates and witches could have made an appearance in the same story. Elwin didn¡¯t remember the specific tale, but it sounded like a juicy one.


    ¡°But pirates travel around a lot and go to taboo places to hide their loot.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°We seem to be standing in one.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m definitely going to be interviewing some pirates.¡± Prin said firmly.


    ¡°Oh no.¡± Elwin groaned. It couldn¡¯t end well.


    Before walking away from the beach, the boys hid their extra backpack behind a tree, partially covered in sand. Planning, of course, to return to it later. Prin carried the crossbody bag with him and his walking stick, while Elwin had the smaller backpack and the empty water jug.


    Elwin swiped his sandy hand on his pants before running it through his hair. ¡°I probably look like a crazy person.¡± He mumbled.


    The prince grinned at him, his own hair part matted and part sticking up in wild curls. ¡°You always look great no matter what!¡±


    Elwin felt his cheeks heat up. ¡°You don¡¯t have to lie.¡±


    ¡°Maybe . . . a gorgeous crazy person.¡± Prin teased. He led the way through the copse of trees.


    Elwin hoped they didn¡¯t get lost. How big could the wooded area be, when the whole island had been the size of a cookie. He didn¡¯t say this out loud, even though he thought it was funny.


    Prin seemed to know where he was going, and soon their feet hit the dirt and cobblestone end of a street lined with colorful shops and buildings.


    It seemed quiet, with just a few people walking around and a person sitting at a table in front of what looked to be a small restaurant.


    In fact, as they walked by, it appeared that most of the businesses were closed. Some of them had large colorful signs which Elwin and Prin had trouble puzzling out the meaning of.


    The town seemed very quaint and pretty, not unlike the main street of TallHillde, except with a lot more pink, mint green, and yellow. The happy tones of a resort town.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing this must be the rich people side?¡± Elwin said, not too loud, you never knew what might cause offense if overheard.


    The prince cocked his thumb at the restaurant. ¡°I¡¯m going in there to talk to the owner, you can stay right here if you want.¡± He smiled at Elwin, before charging ahead into the restaurant¡¯s front door.


    ¡°Ah, wait ¨C¡° Elwin started to follow him, but got suddenly shy and decided to wait right where he was.


    Elwin began to get antsy as several long minutes passed. It seemed like anyone who passed him on the street craned their necks to stare. He was about to go in after Prin, when he suddenly returned.


    The prince had a muffin cupped in his hands, holding it like you would a precious baby bird you were preparing to return to the nest. ¡°Look what I got!¡± Prin said. ¡°She gave it to me for free. The people here are so nice.¡±


    Elwin¡¯s stomach growled loudly.


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    Prin motioned to a table and they both sat down to share the food.


    ¡°Here¡¯s what I found out. Lila, she¡¯s the owner¡¯s daughter, said there is always work to be had at the docks. But if we ask around we may find something better, or at least easier. The blue building at the end of the road is an Inn, which is cheap, but sketchy? The one on the next road over is the nicer establishment. If we find a job, the employer might put us up somewhere while we¡¯re working for him.¡± He took a breath, and ate a bite of his half of the treat.


    Elwin had already devoured his. He nodded attentively.


    ¡°Oh, she did say, this is the street where the fancy girls come out to promenade and ply their trade in the evening.¡± He laughed. ¡°What is their trade and why are they fancy? I was embarrassed to ask what it meant, but I like the rhyme.¡±


    Elwin searched his mind but ran into a blank, it sounded like something for which they had no equivalent in TallHillde. He shook his head. ¡°I guess we¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±


    ¡°Oh . . . and she said that one.¡± He pointed. ¡°Is a place where you can get a bath, but it does cost.¡± He gave Elwin a sheepish look. ¡°I figure that was a hint.¡±


    ¡°If we get to stay at an Inn, we can wash up there.¡± Elwin said, trying to suppress a wince at the second hand embarrassment.


    ¡°You can have the rest.¡± Prin offered the last few bites of his share. ¡°I¡¯m too excited to eat.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure.¡± Elwin ate without waiting for a reply. ¡°Let¡¯s head for the docks? If we could get enough money to get cleaned up and rested . . .¡± Elwin said. Not to mention more food. He felt like that muffin had only teased his empty stomach. ¡°Then we can maybe try to find some better work.¡± He was glad Prin had gone into the restaurant, to save him the embarrassment of doing it himself in his current state.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin stood up and led the way to the docks.


    Elwin followed, and it didn¡¯t take them long to be standing on the salt stained wooden boards of the most impressive boat docks they had ever seen. Of course, that wasn¡¯t saying a whole lot with only one other for comparison. Still.


    There were even several ships loading or unloading cargo as they watched. While Elwin debated the merits of going to the largest ship to ask if there was any help needed, versus the most expensive and well kept one, Prin began to tug on his sleeve.


    When Elwin looked at him, he pointed with his chin at a ship that was unloading on their left. The crew had removed the sails and were folding them, but before they could hide the imagery completely, a grinning skull greeted onlookers.


    ¡°Pirates.¡± Prin whispered.


    ¡°Trying to be discreet?¡± It didn¡¯t fit the image of pirates Elwin had in his head, but what did he know. There wouldn¡¯t be any other reason for flying such a flag.


    ¡°Maybe some of the pirates are also rich people.¡± Prin said, still keeping his voice soft to avoid being overheard. ¡°And they¡¯re trying to mix in?¡±


    ¡°So does that make us on the rich people side?¡± Elwin wondered.


    ¡°I have a feeling it¡¯s not so separated as all that.¡± Prin said. ¡°It¡¯s a small island.¡±


    After a long moment of basking in the relative warmth of the autumn afternoon sun, watching the world around them like a living painting, Prin spoke up again.


    ¡°They don¡¯t really look like pirates.¡± He said, clearly disappointed.


    ¡°It might be taboo to say the p-word.¡± Elwin cautioned, with a finger to his lips.


    Prin nodded. ¡°They are outlaws.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see what choice we have though.¡± Elwin shrugged. He avoided the ship with the obvious pirate flag, and led the way to another large, respectable looking vessel that was unloading.


    Elwin asked if they needed assistance or knew of a job and was looked up and down before being denied. This continued until there was just one more boat they hadn¡¯t asked, plus the one Elwin was trying to avoid. Of course, for all they knew they were all pirate¡¯s ships.


    Elwin got a tentative offer of work from the last ship, the most rag tag one of the bunch, but even they took one look at Prin and decided they didn¡¯t need that much help. One would do.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just check with them.¡± Prin pointed toward the one ship they had not yet asked. The definite pirates.


    ¡°No, please don¡¯t go over there by yourself.¡± Elwin put his hands on Prin¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Please.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin put his hand over one of Elwin¡¯s and patted it. ¡°I won¡¯t. I understand. I¡¯ll just go back to town and ask Lila. Maybe they have some potatoes to peel.¡± He winked. ¡°Even if they don¡¯t pay me, maybe I can get us some free food.¡±


    Elwin tried to bury his pained expression, but he was sure it came through anyway. ¡°If- If you¡¯re sure you can¡¯t just wait for me . . .¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly.¡± Prin said. He firmly removed Elwin¡¯s hands from his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I should be the one worried about you. Don¡¯t drink anything strange that they offer you.¡±


    Elwin had accidentally insulted him and got the same back in return. Fair enough. ¡°Meet back in front of the restaurant?¡±


    Prin nodded. ¡°Okay, if we miss each other there, we¡¯ll meet at the boat. I mean our boat.¡± He smiled and waved at Elwin as he marched off with full confidence into the wolf¡¯s den.


    But what on earth could Elwin do to stop him?

 Chapter 33

    Prin had noticed his steps were much more assured than they used to be. His knees and leg muscles wouldn¡¯t suddenly go weak and make him topple. It was possible he didn¡¯t even need the stick anymore, but it made him feel better to hold on to it.


    He knew he had been a little hard on Elwin back there, but he needed to realize that Prin was capable of making his own decisions, and doing what he himself thought best. He was willing to compromise a little, but enough was enough.


    The prince could barely resist looking back over his shoulder as he walked away, because he knew Elwin would be standing there looking at him like a lost puppy, watching him go.


    He instead tried to walk back towards the main street like he knew what he was doing.


    There were a few more people milling around, going in and out of shops and restaurants. He could see now that maybe it came alive in the evening. Did this have something to do with what Lila had been saying? The night parade?


    A middle aged man with a round belly sticking out in front to announce his presence, and an altered sway to his step came over to where Prin was standing, surveying the scene and puzzling out his next move.


    ¡°You buying or selling?¡± his words slurred, and the smell of alcohol escaped with every word.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The prince asked. ¡°What?¡± He didn¡¯t have anything to sell, nor money to buy, and he was quite sure he looked it.


    The man leaned a little closer. ¡°Buy ya a drink?¡±


    ¡°No thank you.¡± Prin said firmly, backing away.


    ¡°Whatsa matter with you? Eh, you look like something the cat dragged in anyway. And who wants to play around with half a mole, or a garden snake¡¯s tail.¡± He guffawed at his own joke. ¡°Unless yer a cat.¡±


    Prin was wondering if he would have to leave and go back to the docks in defeat, just to escape the man, when he spotted someone coming towards them from across the street. A colorful blur.


    ¡°Speak of the cat itself!¡± The man said, delighted.


    When the prince was very young, giving the memory the soft edged quality of something almost unreal, someone who worked at the castle had brought him a little fox kit with an injured foot to see, that they had freed from a trap and been nursing back to health.


    How he had dreamed of that fox, vivid dreams where he could feel it¡¯s fur beneath his fingers. And the wave of sweet nostalgia he felt upon seeing his rescuer brought it all flooding back to mind.


    She was almost a head shorter than Prin, with hair like a fox¡¯s back, no, redder, like the reddest leaves of fall. Parts where the light hit just right were even blood-red. A color Prin was, by now, intimately familiar with. Piled in curls on top of her head and held in place by gold bands. Her eyes were that quick and clever as she gave Prin a sideways glance of reassurance. Lined with kohl like some ancient queen, but fox¡¯s eyes still, not queen¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Are you over here making an ass out of yourself?¡± The person who had come to his rescue, had to tilt her head back and look way up at the man she was confronting. Of course at her size she probably had to do this with most people, and seemed completely unphased by it. Her hands were on her hips and she exuded nothing short of complete competence. She wrinkled her pretty nose, making the freckles across its bridge dance.


    ¡°Aww, Rose, I wasn¡¯t hurting nobody!¡± The drunk¡¯s tone was that of a falsely accused child, whining that his mother shouldn¡¯t be informed.


    ¡°Shoo along then.¡± The fox-girl said, waving her hands at him like he was a piece of stubborn dust.


    The man reached out to touch her voluminous skirts of turquoise, gold, and rust, and she dodged away from his grasp. ¡°Are you busy? Rosey-Posey.¡± He cooed.


    ¡°Ah, ah, ah, you know better. Hands to yourself.¡± Rose said. ¡°Watch out or I¡¯ll get you banned from Mamma Kris¡¯s establishment. I mean it.¡±


    "Okay." He put his hands up in surrender. "I aint gonna hang around where I''m not wanted." He grumbled as he turned and shambled off.


    "Come back when you have a full wallet!" Rose called after him with a giggle. She turned back toward the prince. "Sorry about that. What a welcome to the island." She linked her arm with Prin''s. "Now, tell me all about yourself."


    "I-" Prin started, not knowing what to even say. She smelled nice, like lavender and pancakes. His stomach growled in recognition, and he realized he was no longer too excited to eat.


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    "You poor thing! You''ve come out here with nothing to your name, haven''t you?" Rose asked, steam rolling ahead without waiting for any answers. She led him over to one of the outdoor tables in front of the restaurant. "Wait right here, don''t go anywhere. Promise?" This time she gave Prin a pointed look, expecting him to agree.


    "O-okay, I won¡¯t. I mean, I do. Promise." Prin was a bit uncomfortable making a pledge, but she wasn''t someone to refuse lightly, he had a feeling.


    Not two wags later, she was back with a plate of food and a tankard. "Cold spring water. I figured quick was better than choosey and had them throw something together with what they already had made." Rose sat down the most delicious looking turkey and cheese sandwich with fried potatoes on the side.


    "I can''t pay for this." Prin said regretfully.


    "I know, don''t worry." Rose assured. "Eat up. It''s on me."


    Prin felt bad eating without Elwin. He wondered if it would be rude to ask for a napkin he could wrap half of it up in. "My friend -" he stared to say.


    Rose put up a hand. "About that, I couldn''t help but notice the bruise on your face, and your general . . . forgive me . . . bedraggled appearance. I can''t stand people who hit their partners." Her feral eyes flashed an unforgiving look. "That wouldn''t be a situation you find yourself in, would it? You can tell me." She gave him a toothy grin. "You''re under my wing now!"


    "Oh no, no!" Prin almost spit out his drink of water, aghast. "Never." It had not occurred to him that people may have such a thought.


    "Okay, just had to ask." Rose said. "So, you''re looking for a job?"


    "How did you know?" Prin took a bite out of the sandwich. It was so good he could almost cry.


    "You just said you didn''t have any money." Rose reminded.


    "Oh. Right." Prin said. "I am."


    "You''re in luck." Rose said. "I can get you an interview! And you would be perfect for it. Room and board . . . On the job training." She made a frame out of her fingers and looked through it. "All you have to do is look pretty."


    The prince looked away sheepishly. "That right there is a problem." He couldn''t imagine what job there would be where the primary requirement was being pretty, but he was quite sure he didn''t qualify for it.


    "Seriously, bunny, have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Rose asked him, although it sounded like a rhetorical question. "All you need is a good focal point, and you''ve got absolutely million dollar eyes! The rest of you is not bad either, sort of on the tall and gangly side but . . . Hey, if I looked like you I would be dancing on all the biggest stages with people throwing gold and flowers at my feet. Let¡¯s be real, I mean, I could be doing that right now. But circumstances." She sighed. "All we need to do is polish you up. You ever heard the term diamond in the rough? Before polishing and cutting they just look like any old pebbles, true story. It just takes someone to see the potential is all."


    "The job doesn''t require dancing, does it? I''m sort of clumsy." Prin said. He was starting to think that she had an angle that he wasn''t quite able to catch on to. Like, possibly the overabundance of talking had a nervous edge to it. Still, he liked her. You couldn''t help it.


    "Oh no, I mean not unless you wanted to. But that¡¯s more of where the training would come in." Rose said. "Listen, do you trust me? Oh, what is your name anyway?"


    "I''m called Prin." Prin said.


    Rose nodded. "We''ll have to do something about that too. So, do you?" She leaned closer. "Trust me?" Her red tinted lips held the hint of a smile that said she had untold adventures planned for the two of them. Despite her intoxicating quality, there was that edge of nerves, of wanting it too badly.


    "No." Prin said. He smiled to show he was a bit sorry about it, but it was just honesty, nothing personal.


    "What have you got to lose?" Rose asked.


    "There''s always something more to lose." The prince said. What was going on here really? Was she the one that needed help? He put his hand on her arm. "I really do appreciate the meal. You have no idea." He had eaten the potatoes and half of the sandwich. He really wanted the other half but was afraid more food would be hard to come by, and Elwin would be hungry, especially after unloading freight on the docks.


    "Hathor, help me! You are a smart one, bunny." Rose winked. "Otherwise you would be perfect. How about this, I take you over there and I buy you a bath, I don''t like to hang around with stinky people, and we will have more of a chance to talk and get to know each other. What do you think I''m going to do? Pick you up under my arm and throw you onto a ship bound for the mines? 90 pounds of me, or what?" She laughed.


    "There could be a big man waiting to help you." Prin said seriously. In a way, he didn''t want to scare her off, but he figured if his honesty made her run then she really was up to something nefarious. The fine cloth of her embroidered sleeve was soft, with the arm underneath feeling bird boned, delicate, like if he pressed down too hard it would snap under his hand.


    "I don''t mean you any harm." Rose said. "If you don''t buy what I''m selling, so to speak. You might as well content yourself with spending some of my money. I''m not busy. Are you? Why not."


    The sound of a bath was so enticing, and her face so reviving of the memory of the little fox that he had briefly loved, that the prince decided to let himself be lured. He still fundamentally believed that most people were good at heart and didn''t want to throw away such a lovely notion. "Okay, but when I do get a job, I''ll pay you back for the food and the bath." Prin said firmly. He didn''t know what she did for a living, but even though expensively dressed, he figured she may need use of her money.


    "Alright, deal." Rose laughed again. "You drive a hard bargain. Oh, here." She pulled a neatly folded handkerchief from her silk laced bodice and handed it to him across the table.


    "Hmm?" It took Prin''s mind a moment to catch up and realize what it was for. He shook out the sweetly scented cloth and wrapped up the half a sandwich in it. "How did you know I wanted something like this?"


    Rose shrugged. "How does anyone anything?" She got up from the table, finally sliding her arm out from under Prin''s hand, where she was letting it rest. "Let''s go. When night falls it gets a lot busier out here and there may not be a bath free."


    Prin stood up and followed her to the bathing house, even though he felt like he was taking a bit of a chance. Oh well.

 Chapter 34

    "You can also get a haircut here, a shave, a manicure, all that good stuff. Hey, you don''t look like you have to shave, do you? How old are you anyway?" Rose chattered. She paid at the counter and got a key.


    The long room down the hall was filled with six bathtubs, semiprivate as they were each in their own lockable stall. Totally private at the moment, since no one else was there. There was a big plaque on the wall that red "No Women Allowed" in bold print, along with a list of common sense rules below.


    Prin looked at the sign and then back at Rose, as they stood in the doorway about to enter.


    Rose waved the sign away. "Oh, don''t worry about that. It doesn''t apply to me because I''m not one." She giggled. "They are really talking about prostitutes anyway, which I am, but they don''t mean me. Mama Kris is the big game in town, see? And she hands out bribes to make sure rules don''t apply, if you know what I mean."


    Rose talked too fast for Prin to digest it, and he was halfway to the first steaming hot bath in the row before he stopped and looked at her. "What do you mean, you''re not one?"


    "You know, a woman. Technically speaking. I mean, I''m a woman, right now, at the moment." Rose said. "You really haven''t been around much have you." She teased.


    The prince tensed, he could not believe what he was hearing. Maybe Rose could give him answers to everything. "You mean, sometimes you''re a woman and sometimes you''re a man?"


    "Sure, sort of! Now you''re getting it." Rose said. "In fact, my name''s not really Rose, I mean it is but it''s not what my friends call me it''s more of a stage name --"


    Prin cut Rose off before she could finish her story. "Are you a shapeshifter?" He could tell his voice had gone too serious. Dead serious, scary serious. Because the room filled with a hush that seemed to even block out the bubbling sounds of the water in the baths being heated, and the voices from the lobby.


    "What!?" Rose asked. "A whos-it? A shapeshifter?" She laughed, harder this time, a real belly laugh that under different circumstances would be virally contagious. She quieted quickly when she saw Prin''s stricken look. "Oh bunny, I''m sorry. I mean, in a strictly literal, physical, version of the word. In a boring old reality sort of way, then no, nothing about me fundamentally changes between male and female. It''s more like . . . " She picked up a candle to use as a visual reference, holding it horizontally. "See, if this is woman and this is man." She pointed to each end, then at a spot right in the middle. "This is me! But you know, with the right paint and clothes, I can go wherever I want." She slid her finger up and down the candle. "So I guess in a way I am very much a shapeshifter. That was just a new one for me, that''s why I laughed. But I like it. I think I''m going to use that now."


    "Oh." Prin tripped on the edge of a towel rack and almost went down, if Rose hadn''t reacted quickly to steady him. "Thanks." he continued on to the bath and hung his cloak up on a hook. He started taking off his clothes immediately.


    "You didn''t shut the door yet." Rose said. "Can I come in? Or do you want me to wait out here?"


    "It doesn''t matter to me either way." Prin said. He stripped the leggings and night shirt off and started to step into the bath. It was scorching hot.


    "Wait! You have to adjust it first." Rose hurried into the stall, shutting the door behind her. She twisted some levers and knobs on the pipes that led into the bath. "Hang on, let me drain a little out and replace it with cold. Kid, you really do need my help. What are you trying to do? Burn your balls off?"


    After the water had cooled enough to be tolerable, Prin got into the tub. He could feel tears pressing against the back of his eyes. For a moment he had been so close, now it was back to square one.


    "Are you disappointed I''m not a woman?" Rose asked softly. She lathered up a rag with soap and handed it to him.


    "No." Prin said. "I''m just frustrated, because I need to find a witch who''s also a shapeshifter."


    "Really? Huh." Rose said. "Well, I do know a witch. She can shift people''s money from their own pockets to hers, does that count?"


    Prin took a deep breath of the steam and tried not to laugh. He needed to get over himself. There was no way it was going to be that easy anyway. "No, I think not. Is she a real one?"


    "As real as they come, I guess." Rose said. "Can I wash your hair for you?"


    "I will have to meet her then!" Prin declared.


    "I thought you needed a job? Money? Food? Somewhere to sleep?" Rose massaged some wonderful smelling shampoo into Prin''s hair. "You really are a pretty thing, aren''t you? Minus a few layers of grime. You know it''s important to take care of yourself. We have nothing if not our health and our looks, my mother taught me that. It''s the only thing you can take along with you wherever you go. As long as it lasts anyway."


    "I was cursed by a witch." Prin said impulsively. "I have to find her and make her take it back. I have it on good authority, from books I''ve read, that the only one who can remove a curse is the one who places it. But . . . if another witch wants to try, I would let her. Of course. It must be a powerful witch, though, I will tell you that." It was like they were having two different conversations on top of each other, but Prin plowed ahead anyway.


    "A curse! You don''t look like an ogre, you''re not bright purple, nor a swan, you seem to have all your . . . necessary equipment still attached." Rose said playfully. "What''s the curse? What''s wrong with you?"


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    "I can''t tell you." Prin said. "I can never tell you."


    "What if we become very good bestest friends, huh? Can you tell me then?" Rose wondered. She put her arms around Prin from behind and kissed his cheek. "I''ll tell you a secret if you tell me one. I have loads of secrets, tons. Only some of them aren''t mine." She giggled.


    "It''s too horrible. Just trust me that it''s bad and I need to be rid of it." The prince was not bothered by being hugged and kissed on, although he thought Elwin would blow a gasket if he were here. It just didn''t do anything to persuade him. Besides, Rose would think he was crazy if he told her the truth, and if somehow she did believe him, well, that could be even worse. What would she do if she knew she was touching a murderer? "If you take me to see the witch, I''ll interview for this job you are trying to get me to take.¡±


    ¡°Ah, bunny, I have a confession to make.¡± Rose said. ¡°First, rinse your hair.¡± She dunked his head in the water, then swiped the rivulets from his face when he sat back up. ¡°That¡¯s better. Anyway.¡± She went back around in front of him and sat down on the little stool across from the bathtub. ¡°I¡¯m not a nice person. Since I have you trapped in that bathtub and you can¡¯t easily get away from me, I might as well tell you the whole sordid thing.¡±


    Prin blinked at her. If she had secrets, she clearly wasn¡¯t very good at keeping them. Unless this was all part of the scam. ¡°I don¡¯t see how you can say you¡¯re not a nice person.¡± He said.


    ¡°Oh you would be surprised!¡± Rose said. ¡°I¡¯m going to put it out on the table. You no doubt already realized that I was trying to entrap you into a life of prostitution.¡±


    ¡°I did?¡± Prin marveled. Amazing, if true, since he barely knew what it was.


    ¡°What you don¡¯t know is that Madam Kris.¡± Here she lowered her voice. ¡°Is a bitch and a tyrant.¡± Rose crossed her wrists and held them up to show bondage. ¡°Most, if not all the girls who work for her are basically slaves. She won¡¯t let me go because I owe her money, and she brought me to this godforsaken island against my will. I have been trying to recruit my own replacement, in hopes that she would release me. As you can imagine there is no one here to recruit! I think I have paid my debt a hundred times over, but not by her accounting. Who am I kidding, she¡¯s not going to let me go anyway, even if I did find someone to take my place.¡±


    ¡°Rose ¨C¡± Prin started.


    ¡°No, Prin, you want no part of her, trust me. Also, my name isn¡¯t Rose, actually it¡¯s my middle name and I use it for my working name. Are you my client?¡± She asked.


    ¡°No?¡± Prin wasn¡¯t sure what they were to each other at this point.


    ¡°Then call me Aster.¡± Aster said. ¡°It¡¯s Aster Rose, on my birth announcement, to be exact.¡±


    ¡°Mine is Callimodeus, on my birth announcement.¡± Prin said. ¡°I never tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s really unfortunate. We¡¯ll keep that one to ourselves, bunny.¡± Aster teased. ¡°Anyhow, I¡¯m sorry for trying to trap you into a terrible working environment, if you can even call it that. And you just a baby bunny and all. Bu-uut if you still want to find a job in the sex trade I can help you find one with a more fair establishment. One thing you should never do to your sisters, give them bad employment advice.¡±


    ¡°Sex trade!?¡± Prin sat up straighter, the pieces finally clicking into place with a rusty groan of semi comprehension. The most he knew of sex were the vague euphemisms from his books, along with some illustrations of men and women, arms entwined in a wooded glen, or a wildflower overgrown field. In some books there was mention of affection being sold for coin, but he had thought it a fantasy or something that took place in the long ago before times.


    ¡°You were asking for work in the red door district, where all the brothels are? So forgive my confusion.¡± Aster said. ¡°You have stripped me of my customer service face.¡± She made an exaggerated comical frown. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret it.¡± She had mistaken his confusion for outrage at the very notion.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean! It¡¯s just ¨C¡± Prin was flustered, he felt his cheeks getting hot but hopefully they were already red enough from the hot steam to cover his embarrassment. ¡°Is that . . . trading affection for money?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one way of putting it, sure.¡± Aster said. She narrowed her fox-eyes at Prin. ¡°Wa-iit, are you trying to plead innocence in these matters to try and get a free sample? Because it¡¯s been attempted before but I didn¡¯t see it coming from you.¡± She laughed.


    ¡°Sample of what?¡± Prin asked miserably. There was that word again he was growing to hate.


    ¡°Affection, of course.¡± Aster pursed her lips and blew a kiss in his direction. ¡°I like you kid, but you¡¯ve had enough freebies for one day.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m just stupid.¡± With this admission, the prince really wanted to leap out of the bath and run all the way back to the beach and bury himself in the sand.


    ¡°No you aren¡¯t.¡± Aster chided. ¡°Don¡¯t ever say something about yourself you wouldn¡¯t want someone else to say about you.¡± She brought him a towel. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get out of here before they charge me extra. I need to get to work anyway.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you really do for work?¡± Prin took the towel and stepped carefully out of the tall sided bath, drying himself off as he did.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your hair, or you¡¯ll catch a cold. Bend down.¡± Aster said. She took a second towel and ruffled it through his hair. ¡°I wish you had some clean clothes to put on.¡±


    ¡°Do you like it?¡± The prince wondered. In the books it had seemed degrading, something done as a very last resort and often leading to some kind of gruesome death.


    ¡°It¡¯s just like any job, it has it¡¯s moments.¡± Aster says. ¡°Sometimes there are repeat customers that you are always happy to see because they are funny and sweet and liven up your day. Sometimes there are rich customers who give you jewelry and other nice things just to smile in their direction. The opposite can also be true.¡± She shrugged. ¡°And sometimes the boss takes all your money and says you owe her more on top, and takes you far away from anyone or anywhere you have ever known so there¡¯s no one to help you escape. And doesn¡¯t care what the customers do to you as long as they pay her extra . . . Well, you don¡¯t need to know all that, bunny. Just suffice it to say there are good establishments and bad establishments and you don¡¯t want to ever work for one of the bad ones.¡±


    Prin straightened back up and began to put his clothes back on layer by layer. ¡°What would happen if you left? Why can¡¯t you just leave?¡±


    ¡°Well, if I tried to quit she would tell me I had to pay her everything I owed her before I could leave, and if I did that, she would say it wasn¡¯t enough and come up with a new inflated number. If I tried to just leave . . . I did try to run away once, when we were back on the main land still, and they caught me and locked me in a closet for three days with no food and nowhere to go to the bathroom.¡± Her kohl lined eyes shifted back and forth, as though envisioning the cage around her still. ¡°After that I was too weak to fight when they brought me here to this island. Now there is nowhere for me to go to get away. I¡¯m just stuck.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s acceptable.¡± The prince said. ¡°What they did to you wasn¡¯t right.¡± He still wasn¡¯t entirely sure he believed every word she was saying. But if it wasn¡¯t true, why say it? And if it was true, it . . . wasn¡¯t something that could just be allowed to continue.


    Aster laughed. ¡°I know, I know. You don¡¯t have to tell me.¡± As they left the building and went back outside, she turned back around and winked at him. ¡°Are you my knight in shining armor? Going to rescue me, or what?¡± She shook her head at him, smiling.

 Chapter 35

    ¡°How do you even plan on getting off the island yourself?¡± Aster asked him.


    By this point it was fully dark outside, and more people, were milling around. Streetlights had been lit, casting a warm glow on everything.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Prin admitted.


    ¡°Hey, bunny? Where you going to sleep tonight?¡± Aster wondered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that either.¡± Prin said. ¡°My friend has been working on the docks, maybe he has some money . . .¡± He wished he could be sure of it.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right, you¡¯re traveling with a friend.¡± She reached up and caressed the bruised side of his face. ¡°If you¡¯re sure everything¡¯s alright with that, then I¡¯ll drop it.¡±


    ¡°He would never hurt me.¡± The prince said firmly. ¡°He¡¯s the best person I know. I would even put him up against the people I don¡¯t know.¡± He realized the amount of people he knew was still shockingly small. He smiled at Aster. ¡°Thank you for caring though. And for everything.¡±


    She waved it away. ¡°It was fun for me to have someone new to talk to. I am so bo-ored to be honest with you. And . . . I¡¯m sorry.¡± She looked at the ground, shuffling her red patent leather boots.


    ¡°There has to be another way for you to get out, and we¡¯ll find it.¡± Prin said.


    Aster giggled. ¡°You¡¯re just so sweet. I¡¯ll ask around, try to find you a job for tomorrow. Did you say you can work in kitchens?¡±


    ¡°I have just a little experience with that.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°You see that big store front, the coral one? That¡¯s Mama Kris¡¯s.¡± Aster pointed at the building in question. ¡°Listen.¡± She sighed. ¡°I hate to do this, but I do have my own place. Sort of. It¡¯s not much, but I don¡¯t bring the clients there. You and your friend can sleep on my floor, if you can¡¯t get something better. I hate the idea of you sleeping outside.¡±


    ¡°Will you get in trouble if we do?¡± The prince hated the idea of imposing, but he just might hate sleeping outside in that boat on the beach a little bit more, and he was fairly sure Elwin would agree.


    ¡°Nah, no one cares. As long as I go to work and bring in money, I¡¯m left to my own devices pretty much. It¡¯s not even part of the main house, really. You¡¯ll see.¡± Aster said. ¡°If you decide to do it, just come around the back door? The front door is for clients. Ask for me and someone will find me.¡±


    Prin hugged Aster. It was an impulsive move he couldn¡¯t believe he had done, but she just seemed like she needed a hug. Or maybe he was the one that needed it.


    ¡°No need for all that.¡± Aster said gently. But she didn¡¯t try to pull away from him, instead patting him on the back like you would a small child.


    Prin found it pleasant. He reluctantly let her go after a long moment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make that face at me!¡± Aster said. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what it means. We¡¯ll see each other again soon.¡± She shook her finger playfully at him. ¡°Now, don¡¯t loiter around here or you might get propositioned again.¡±


    *


    Despite Aster¡¯s very apt advice on loitering, the prince didn¡¯t want to stray away from his plan to meet up with Elwin at the restaurant. So, he had to stick around, watching the back of Aster¡¯s turquoise dress recede into the darkness, then pass under the streetlight, before disappearing into Mama Kris¡¯s house. Establishment? Shop? For the buying and selling of assorted affections.


    If she traded in affection all night, why did she seem so lonely?


    *


    Elwin was tired. Tired and he felt like crying. Tired, he felt like crying, and he missed his prince. Tired, felt like crying, missed Prin, and was faint with hunger. Also, his feet hurt.


    Could he ever take a break? Or were those days over completely.


    The short walk from the docks into town had been uneventful and quiet. All of that changed when he saw the bustling street with the, indeed fancy, girls walking back and forth or chatting it up with men of all sorts. Some could have definitely been pirates, he supposed.


    The restaurant was crowded now, all the round outdoor tables filled to capacity. Where would Prin be in this half dark mess, in the shadows or lit by the flame of one of the strategically lit streetlights?


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    Elwin didn¡¯t see him at first, and was about to give up, figuring that he had gotten intimidated by the crowd and retreated to the private beach they had first landed on. But no, there he was, a figure in the shadows, timidly stepping into the light with his walking stick in hand. He was standing by the restaurant, hiding.


    If Elwin had the strength to run to him, he would have, but as it was he straggled along to meet him in his dark corner of the world. ¡°Prin!¡± He called.


    ¡°El!¡± Prin went towards him and grabbed him by the arm pulling him into the comforting shadows and into his arms. ¡°So glad to see you! Why does it feel like it has been so much longer ago then a few hours?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I worry about you the whole time we¡¯re apart.¡± Prin¡¯s arms felt strong and he couldn¡¯t help noticing that his hair smelled amazing.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to stop that.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I know, I know.¡± Elwin said, not really knowing at all. ¡°Why do you smell so nice?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t usually?¡± Prin teased. He let Elwin go and stood back a step. ¡°You¡¯re white as a ghost. Or maybe it¡¯s just the lighting? No, it¡¯s you. Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I mean nothing happened. I just need to sit down.¡± Elwin sunk to the ground quickly, half sitting, half collapsing, with Prin¡¯s arms fluttering near, attempting in vain to catch him.


    The prince sat down beside him on the dirty cobblestones. ¡°Oh my gods.¡± He said softly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Elwin put his head in his hands. ¡°I just worked like a dog for, admittedly only a few hours, but even with the little bit I had already I don¡¯t think it¡¯s enough to get us into the inn for tonight.¡±


    Prin put his hand on Elwin¡¯s head. ¡°You worked so hard . . . I think you just plain over did it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, maybe. I think I would feel better if I ate something.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh, here.¡± Prin pulled something wrapped in a floral handkerchief from the pocket of his cloak. ¡°It¡¯s a little bit smooshed but I think it¡¯s alright.¡± He handed it to Elwin. ¡°Start with this.¡± Prin took Elwin¡¯s backpack off of him and pulled out the water jug. ¡°Oof, this is heavy. Here, drink some water too.¡±


    As Elwin unwrapped the sandwich, a perfumed scent wafted up from the handkerchief. ¡°Alright, Prin, where did you get this?¡± He was too baffled to be suspicious. Even though in the back of his mind he had to acknowledge that this seemed like a very suspicious scenario. Between the clean hair and the mystery sandwich in a girlish hanky. He took a bite of the sandwich, and quickly finished it off.


    ¡°Okay, I met someone new. And also, we may have a place to sleep indoors tonight.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s the best idea but especially with you not feeling well . . .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Elwin lied. He narrowed his eyes at the prince, did it seem like he was being a little evasive? Or no? His eyes were wide with excitement and the sheen of adventure. Must be nice. ¡°So, you met someone? What did you do while I was at the docks?¡± Tell me everything.


    ¡°Okay, so, someone tried to pick on me. But it¡¯s okay! I could handle it. Before I had a chance to properly get rid of him though, this little, tiny, this fox? This small ¨C short lady. Only not a lady, she says? Anyway, and her dress was ¨C¡± The prince seemed at a loss to properly express himself, which was unusual for he of many words gleaned from the reading of a couple hundred books.


    ¡°That impressive?¡± Elwin smirked. He took a big drink of water, sure that dehydration was at least some part of the problem. He was already on the cold ground, no one who walked by seemed to be paying them any mind, probably imaging him drunk, so he figured he might as well see how this played out.


    ¡°Oh yes! I¡¯d say so. Like no one I¡¯ve ever met before. Anyway, so ¨C¡± Prin trailed, trying to pick up his runaway train of thought. ¡°Her clothes were just so fine and pretty, I don¡¯t think it is the way the ladies dressed in TallHillde, but what would I know about that? It seemed more modern, with detailed stitching and bright colors, and the daintiest red boots.¡± He laughed, delighted. ¡°It¡¯s not like me to take notice of such things, I know, but there has never been so much of a nicety to notice. She also has red hair and freckles and her name is Aster, or Rose. She paid for my meal and a bath at the bathhouse. But I did promise I would pay it back and I intend to.¡±


    ¡°Why did Aster-Or-Rose do that for you? What was in it for her?¡± Elwin wondered. Although, in truth he hardly even doubted Prin¡¯s ability to charm people into giving him things with no benefit whatsoever to themselves, he felt it was best practice to always question people¡¯s motives. If he had learned anything on their journey so far.


    ¡°We-ell . . .¡± Prin made an exaggerated grimace. ¡°She may have been trying to recruit me into a job where she works. But just at first!¡±


    ¡°What job would that be?¡± Elwin asked.


    Prin turned and pointed to a building behind him. ¡°There, in the pink one.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s where it is. But what is it?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Sex work.¡± Prin said. Making a face that said he anticipated Elwin¡¯s reaction to this and would have delayed it longer if he could.


    ¡°Sex work!¡± Elwin said. ¡°Do you even know what that is!?¡±


    ¡°The same thing as prostitution isn¡¯t it?¡± Prin asked hesitantly.


    ¡°I think so, but do you know what it means?¡± Elwin asked. He was dying to know what Prin thought it meant.


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡± The prince said defiantly. ¡°Why do you think I turned down the job?¡±


    Elwin laughed helplessly.


    Prin¡¯s cheeks turned red and he stuck his lower lip out in a comical pout. ¡°I don¡¯t know all the gritty details, but I know enough to know it¡¯s not something I would be interested in. Trading affection for money, seems so desolate. Although Aster said it has good and bad just like any other job.¡±


    Elwin pulled him close and hugged him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to laugh. I know you have been sheltered, and why, so it¡¯s cruel of me. Just that you not knowing something is a novelty for me, I never get the upper hand on you because I am the more ignorant one. You are so much smarter than me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not even true.¡± Prin relaxed against him. ¡°You have always been smart. And we have the same education.¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s true.¡± Elwin teased. He twirled a lock of Prin¡¯s clean and sweet smelling hair in his fingers. ¡°I¡¯m glad you knew enough not to fall for it. What that person does for a living is only for people with no one who loves them, not even themselves. It¡¯s a dangerous life, I know that much. Just from the way people talk.¡±


    ¡°That can¡¯t be true.¡± Prin said. His voice had become shaky and Elwin saw no choice but to try and scramble out of the corner he had talked himself into.


    ¡°I mean, what do other people know anyway? I¡¯m sure you¡¯re right.¡± He said hurriedly.


    ¡°We have to help her.¡± The prince said, his blue-flame eyes boring into Elwin¡¯s. ¡°But first, can we sleep on her floor?¡±

 Chapter 36

    After carefully counting out their coins, Elwin figured they had about enough money for two meals and as much as he would like to hold on to it, there was no sense in going hungry.


    They split a big meal of beef, potatoes, bread, and steamed green vegetables they weren¡¯t exactly sure what were, but trust that they ate every bite anyway.


    Elwin carefully put away the left over money so that they could afford to buy breakfast in the morning. If they were lucky.


    As much as he hated to stay over night in a house of ill repute, it did seem like after surviving their quarters back on the ship, they could handle anything. And his back couldn¡¯t take another night with the edges of the small boat digging into him every time he moved. And he didn¡¯t think he could handle sleeping in the sand, which would no doubt be more comfortable but full of bugs and small crabs. He desperately needed a good night¡¯s sleep. Out of the weather, preferably.


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure this is okay . . .¡± Elwin trailed, leaving the final responsibility up to Prin.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure.¡± Prin said. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t okay, it wouldn¡¯t have been offered.¡±


    Still, the two of them walked slowly as they approached the coral painted house of Mama Kris.


    ¡°Aster said to go around to the back door.¡± The prince said. He peeked around the side of the house, noting the narrow alleyway between the buildings.


    It made Elwin nervous, but it did seem unlikely it would be a trap. They had nothing to rob, even if this would have been a good place to do it.


    The two of them made their way around to the back of the building, which was less ornate than the front. The back yard was large, and dotted with sheds, and a tall fenced garden plot, all strung together by a stone path. It was too homely and utilitarian to be a place where the customers were entertained. Trash containers stood against the back wall.


    Prin marched confidently to the back door of the pink house and knocked on it, with Elwin trailing shyly behind him, wondering if they were making a big mistake.


    Elwin had to admit, though not out loud, that he had some curiosity to see the inside of a brothel. Although no such places existed in TallHillde, at least in an official capacity, there had been whispers among other boys about what wonders might be inside of one. Although he wasn¡¯t sure he had any inclination to be interested in women, it had been a long time since he had given it much thought. Except for an accidental glimpse here or there of a female relative, or neighbor girl, he had never seen one naked.


    A young girl in a dress of plain brown cotton with an apron over it answered the door. ¡°Yes?¡± She said. ¡°Are you delivering something? Elseways you may have the wrong door.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here to see . . .¡± Here Prin paused for a moment, considering. ¡°Rose. She told us to come to the back door.¡±


    The girl gave him a blank look, headed tilted to the side. ¡°Just a second, I guess. Wait here.¡± She walked away out of sight.


    The view that she left behind, was disappointing. A plain stone entryway with a few umbrellas and cloaks on hooks. Through an open door behind it was a kitchen, clean and rustic, with a large wood stove and a sink piled with crookery.


    A pair of women came through the other side of the kitchen towards them.


    The taller one was blonde, with her hair loose around her shoulders and a red shawl covering her, sheer silken gown (what Elwin could only assume was some kind of exotic underwear). The shorter one had brown hair and a face that would have been pretty if not marred by a perma-smirk that made her look like she didn¡¯t think much of you and it was certainly personal. She was wearing head to toe black, although the garments did not remind one of those appropriate for mourning.


    ¡°Aww, little boys.¡± The blonde said. ¡°Which one will you have Natalia?¡±


    Elwin looked at Prin in confusion, neither of these women fit the description of the one he had told him about in great detail earlier.


    ¡°They don¡¯t look like they have any money.¡± Natalia sneered. ¡°Do you? More like rich men¡¯s sons who have been cut off from the family larder.¡± She laughed.


    ¡°Cut off for a long time, dontcha reckon?¡± The blonde asked. ¡°Sure are cute though.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here to see Rose.¡± Prin said decisively. ¡°She said if we came around to the back door someone would get her.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we know.¡± The blonde scoffed. ¡°But you don¡¯t want her anyway.¡± She shook her head and pushed on her nose with her finger. ¡°Nose always in the air. Snob. You definitely couldn¡¯t afford her prices.¡±


    ¡°You have to pay extra for the extra parts.¡± Natalia wiggled her pinky finger suggestively.


    Both girls looked at each other and laughed wickedly.


    ¡°Oops, did you not know?¡± The blonde said, casting a condescending frown of faux apology at Prin.


    Prin, whose face was turning red, looked like he was barely holding in some choice words to say the least.


    ¡°Let me make it up to you.¡± The blonde suggested, reaching for Prin¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you not.¡± Elwin swatted away her reaching hand, giving her his own scathing look. It wasn¡¯t that he cared about what they said, or their general bad attitudes and manners, but he could see that Prin was getting upset and couldn¡¯t allow her to touch him.


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    ¡°Forget it, Daisy. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re here to have a good time anyway.¡± Natalia said.


    ¡°If it¡¯s such an imposition, we¡¯ll just leave.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°No.¡± The prince crossed his arms and dug his feet into the packed dirt of the courtyard as though to say, I¡¯m not leaving until I get what I came for and not a one of you can make me.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that serious.¡± Daisy said. She looked at them both like they were from outer space, and sent to this planet just to offend and confound her.


    Natalia laughed. ¡°What, are you two dating her or something? I didn¡¯t think Aster had any relationships that weren¡¯t strictly business.¡±


    Before an awkward answer could be sputtered out, there was the sound of heels tapping along rapidly on the stone floor of the kitchen.


    ¡°She moves very quickly.¡± Prin said, as an aside to Elwin. He said it like it was yet another among the many things that Elwin should be impressed with. His mouth was already springing into a smile at the corner.


    Aster was neither half dressed, nor in an outlandish costume, but attired in a neat blue dress and without a hair out of place. Based on the other two girls, it was not what Elwin expected.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± She said.


    Daisy scattered back as if scalded and hurriedly retreated through the kitchen and out of sight.


    Aster looked from Prin to Elwin with a welcoming smile. Her face was pretty featured, and freckled, as Prin had said, really quite sweet. Except for the eyes, which had a restless, calculating look as though you were a large math sum she was trying to solve, or an intricate puzzle with the one piece that had warped a little and now no longer fit where it was supposed to. The over all effect was that she was figuring you out. Whether you liked it or not.


    Elwin felt vaguely uncomfortable.


    ¡°What about old Red Beard?¡± Natalia asked, gesturing back the way she had come. ¡°Should I . . .¡±


    ¡°No, he¡¯ll wait for me.¡± Aster winked at Prin. ¡°They always do. Anyway, I¡¯ll only be a minute.¡±


    She ushered the boys ahead of her down the path through the back courtyard. ¡°I don¡¯t know what they said to you, but whatever it was, never mind it.¡±


    ¡°Already forgotten.¡± Prin said. Although it was clear he hadn¡¯t from the tone of his voice.


    At the same time Elwin said. ¡°It was nothing.¡±


    ¡°Like I said before, please don¡¯t expect anything fancy.¡± Aster warned as they approached an outbuilding made of weathered, rough hewn boards toward the back of the property. A huge padlock adorned the front door.


    Aster took a key from her bodice and unlocked the door, removing the lock from its place and bringing it with her as she stepped inside. The door creaked ominously when pushed further open. ¡°It¡¯s not so dangerous here, the lock is mainly to keep the other ladies from taking my things, because they don¡¯t like me very much.¡±


    She bustled around lighting an oil lamp and assorted candles. ¡°Do you need a fire lit? It¡¯s a little cool.¡±


    The inside of the room could not have been guessed by looking at the outside, that was for sure. And it was like nothing Elwin would have expected.


    The bed was low to the ground, with a headboard featuring an impressively large piece of driftwood that served as a shelf full of candles and odd knickknacks, a hollow metal statue of a goddess emerging from a flower. The bed had a very old, frayed tapestry of nymphs and satyrs at play serving as a coverlet. And the walls had other bits of heavy cloth and old tapestry covering the drafty boards.


    There was a wardrobe with the doors, not quite able to close, and therefore held together by a ribbon twined around both knobs. And also a dark wrought iron vanity with a cracked and silver spotted mirror on top, the table of which was so covered with bottles, jars, and other assorted cosmetics that there was not a quarter inch to spare.


    On the other side of the room was a small table covered in thread, baskets of cloth and sewing notions. With a little mannequin, like a prim headless scarecrow, wearing a dress of green cloth printed all over with violets and pansies in a fine array, standing beside it. The floors were covered with rag rugs in a big hand done weave. In the corner of the room, tucked away like almost an after thought, was a human sized metal statue, over grown with verdigris, it¡¯s many arms and open sharp toothed mouth beckoning.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s where I do my blood sacrifice. A handsome young man now and again that I manage to trick into my lair.¡± Aster said. ¡°Oops, have I said too much?¡± She put her hand to her mouth in a coquettish approximation of embarrassed horror.


    ¡°It¡¯s so cute in here!¡± Prin said. He picked up a stuffed bunny from the bed and hugged it reflexively. ¡°Just like how I thought it would be.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m lucky to have a little spot to go to that¡¯s just for myself.¡± Aster said. ¡°No one else had the vision.¡± She was watching Elwin as she spoke, eyeing him with a look both appreciative and expectant.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡± Elwin said awkwardly.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s my ¨C That¡¯s Elwin.¡± Prin said helpfully.


    ¡°Nice to meet you Elwin.¡± Aster said. Her eyes refusing to release his. Holding on just a moment too long, before, with a little smile, she turned her back on him and began to bustle around with the little wood stove. ¡°If you get cold, you can just light it and it¡¯s ready to go.¡± She pulled some pillows off the bed and some extra blankets and soft rugs from underneath. ¡°Help me move this.¡±


    Elwin hurried over, and they moved the sewing table and mannequin further back to make more floor space.


    ¡°Make yourselves a little nest there.¡± Aster said. ¡°If you have to pee there¡¯s an outhouse, or there¡¯s a chamber pot here.¡± She motioned to the ceramic pot tucked away under the vanity table. ¡°And a pot of water if you need it for drinking or washing up.¡± She motioned to a metal cook pot on the floor by the wood stove. ¡°Very high tech, I know.¡± She gave an airy laugh. ¡°I need to go but I¡¯ll be back late tonight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± Prin said. ¡°If I said we were exhausted that would be underselling it.¡±


    ¡°I know what you mean.¡± Aster said. ¡°You¡¯re very welcome, bunny.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re doing this, but I also thank you.¡± Elwin said. He shuffled from foot to foot. The padlock on the outside of the door gave him pause, but it looked like he could easily kick through the outer wall of the shed in an emergency. And she had left the padlock, with the key inside on the sewing table, which made him feel somewhat better. He still wished he knew what was in it for her.


    ¡°You know? I don¡¯t either.¡± Aster said. She waved bye bye, and without another word she was gone.


    Elwin and the prince laid down the extra rugs first to make a mat on the floor, took off their boots and cloaks, and then curled up with the blankets.


    ¡°You know I was thinking something . . .¡± Prin said, when Elwin was already half asleep.


    ¡°Me too, so was I.¡± Elwin said, yawning. ¡°You first.¡±


    ¡°Is Aster a witch? I didn¡¯t directly ask.¡± Prin said, voice solemn, as though it were a serious concern. ¡°Is that what you were thinking about?¡±


    ¡°No, I was thinking we forgot to get our clothes off the beach. It was dark out, so oh well. Have to do it in the morning.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I have no . . . thoughts on Aster being a witch. But she sort of does . . . make me feel weird. I¡¯d say.¡±


    ¡°Weird?¡± Prin wondered. ¡°Like because she¡¯s very beautiful?¡±


    ¡°Do you think she¡¯s very beautiful?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you!?¡± Prin propped his head up on his hand. ¡°Does she make you feel shy?¡±


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s it.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin nodded sagely. ¡°In books, young men are often shy around beautiful girls. I think it¡¯s natural.¡±


    Elwin laughed. ¡°That¡¯s because they like them, I only like you.¡± He reached up and pulled Prin close to him. ¡°Let¡¯s get some sleep, it¡¯s a big day tomorrow.¡±


    Prin nuzzled his head into Elwin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It is?¡±


    ¡°Every day is a big one these days.¡± Elwin said.

 Chapter 37

    Prin had found he didn¡¯t need near as much sleep these days as he used to, so even though it was only the am side of the dead of night when Aster returned, his mind had already been twitching and stretching trying to be released from the confines of sleep.


    The door slowly opened, tapping against Prin¡¯s foot, which he moved.


    ¡°Oops, sorry, did I wake you?¡± Aster murmured. She tiptoed inside and closed the door again. Stepping around the prince, and Elwin who seemed dead to the world still, and well he should be, she went to the stove and started a fire. ¡°It¡¯ll warm up in here in just a minute.¡±


    ¡°No, I was already awake.¡± The prince said softly.


    Aster extinguished the oil lamp on the vanity and lit a few candles that had gone out. ¡°Save some oil for later.¡±


    She sat down on the stool at the vanity and began pulling pins and the gold bands, which seemed to be some sort of thin metal strips, just as they had appeared, out of her hair, until the red curls fell halfway down her back, looking as soft and light as feathers. Next, a drawer was opened and into it was placed a jingling array of bracelets, rings, and earrings, efficiently removed.


    Prin sat up and watched her in the warm ambient lighting.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look too close, or you will see how the sausage is un-made.¡± Aster quipped.


    ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Prin said sheepishly, turning away. He chided himself internally on his lack of concern for people¡¯s privacy. Since he had never had, or needed, any himself, he was still getting used to the concept.


    ¡°I¡¯m just kidding.¡± Aster chuckled softly. ¡°You can look all you want, it¡¯s the last thing that would bother me.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure?¡± Prin turned back around where he could see Aster. ¡°I hate to be rude. But . . . I do want to watch if it¡¯s okay.¡± He looked over at Elwin to make sure the talking wasn¡¯t bothering him. But it seemed to be fine. He looked as though a fire alarm and twelve barking dogs wouldn¡¯t disturb him.


    In fact, his face was sweet and relaxed against the pillow, in a way Prin hadn¡¯t seen in a while. Prin wanted to kiss him but was afraid that would be just the thing that would wake him after all, and then he would be sorry he had done it.


    ¡°Be my guest.¡± Aster said. She opened a jar and rubbed the cream inside on her face before cleaning it off again with a rag dipped in freezing cold water. She shivered. ¡°Bracing.¡± It was interesting to watch both the back of her head and her face in the mirror at the same time. A crack in the surface artfully bisected her face.


    The make up came off on the rag, revealing an equally beautiful fresh face, pale complected and more abundantly freckled, but no less to look at then the artfully crafted day time face.


    Next, she combed through her hair with her fingers until it was split into two sections, then plaited each side half way down and secured it with bits of ragged silk ribbon, faded blue.


    Aster reached behind herself and pulled on the ribbon sitting at her waist, which caused the entire thing to loosen and the dress to sag, as though the fabric were breathing a sigh of relief after a long day. She bent over and undid the buttons on each red boot. ¡°It seems like more trouble taking it all off then it did putting it on. More than once per evening too, sometimes.¡± She said, with a sigh. ¡°Although how could that be possible?¡± She kicked the shoes off and smiled at Prin in the mirror.


    ¡°Putting clothes on is a pain.¡± The prince agreed. ¡°I spent the first seventeen years of my life in a night dress, and I never minded it much. Though it was cold like that sometimes.¡±


    Aster giggled. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to make of you.¡± She stood up again and let her beautiful dress and layers of colorful petticoats fall to the floor, so she could step out of them. Revealing an ornately decorative chemise. She scooped up the fallen dress and draped it over top of the one on the mannequin. ¡°That should keep the wrinkles to a minimum.¡±


    The last things to go were the long stockings and the chemise, tossed over the vanity stool. Leaving an Aster pared down to the minimum, white knee length silken bloomers with lace on their hem. Like a paper doll before you dress it. The loose apple-red braids with their trailing ribbons only partially concealed her smooth flat chest, which of course he had known to expect, but at the same time a pair of breasts would not have altogether surprised him either. He wondered if he was wrongly thinking of her all along as ¡°her¡±, but it seemed only natural and he was embarrassed to ask.


    Aster did not seem to mind his staring, even occasionally catching his eye with a playful look as though to say, you naughty boy, but not really mean it.


    She took a thin robe, printed all over with birds in flight and flowers, and put it on without closing it, and flopped onto the bed. Aster looked even smaller without shoes on, and Prin wondered how tall she actually was.


    ¡°Bunny, would you pass me that box on the vanity there? The black and gold one.¡± Aster asked.


    It took the prince a moment to discern which one she meant in the visual chaos, but there it was, lacquered black with gold corners and a gold bird in the center.


    He brought it over to the bed and handed it to Aster.


    Aster sat up, with a grin, and opened the box. She took the hollow metal statuette on the headboard, of the goddess, and put something in the flower base. ¡°Oh.¡± She looked at Prin as though having momentarily forgotten he was there. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind?¡± She patted the bed next to her. ¡°Here, sit close, sit close. Otherwise you wont get any of the smoke.¡± She lit it with a long wooden match, and immediately a thickly sweet, almost perfume like smoke wafted up through the goddess¡¯s outstretched arms.


    The smoke was vaguely familiar to the prince, like there was some element of a medical concoction that he had before in his sickly days (so recent, yet seemingly forever ago!). So, he wasn¡¯t afraid of it but . . . He looked down at Elwin, who was curled on his side with his arm under the pillow, his blond hair decorating the space around his head like a messy halo.


    Aster patted beside herself impatiently. ¡°Don¡¯t make me talk to myself, come on. And you can take off a few of those extra layers if you want to.¡±


    The prince, somewhat hesitantly, sat down beside her, though remaining fully dressed. A compromise he supposed.


    Aster leaned her head backward toward the metal burner. ¡°This is amazing for helping you fall asleep. Otherwise, inside my head, all the time, it¡¯s chat chat chat, you know? I can¡¯t sit still. But yet I need the sleep or I will be a cranky mess the next day, you don¡¯t want to see me as a cranky mess, right bunny?¡± She giggled.


    At first the smell was slightly nauseating, but Prin quickly forgot about that as his head felt lighter than air, yet his limbs heavy. Would his head float away of its own accord? Would Elwin be mad about this? He crawled to the edge of the bed and peeked at him once more, nope, still peacefully sleeping. ¡°He really needed this rest.¡± Prin said, he could feel the word rest stretching out too long and slithery like a snake¡¯s back sssssss, or maybe not and it was just his imagination.


    ¡°Stay and talk to me.¡± Aster said. ¡°Please. It helps.¡±


    Her words were so sweet and plaintive that the prince resolved instantly that he was needed and should comply. Maybe it would be better after all, without so many extra clothes? He struggled out of his shirt and pants, though leaving on his final layer of leggings and by now somewhat bedraggled night shirt. He wasn¡¯t THAT smoke drunk. ¡°Okay, of course.¡± He settled into the pillows next to Aster.


    Aster breathed deeply and yawned. ¡°That one was just practice, to see if I¡¯m sleepy yet.¡± She informed. ¡°Tell me how two fresh young foals like yourselves ended up washed ashore on this middle of nowhere island, hmm?¡±


    ¡°How old are you?¡± Prin wondered. She always talked to him like he was so young, but she could hardly be much older.


    ¡°That¡¯s-That¡¯s an impertinent question.¡± She sputtered in faux indignation, but couldn¡¯t help but laugh at her own farce. ¡°A quarter century. It feels like much longer.¡±


    A quarter century, wow, Prin thought. Wait a minute, wasn¡¯t that just twenty five? It was still older than he had thought. ¡°Since you already told me how you got here, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Prin said. ¡°We got fired from our jobs on a big boat, and kicked off onto a little boat? It was all . . . very dramatic. We were trying to get to the next major port in pursuit of the witch, but ended up here because it was the only place we could row to.¡±


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    ¡°I won¡¯t ask what you got fired for, because that feels like a story for another day.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin agreed. I wouldn¡¯t tell you anyway. ¡°Did you make the rugs yourself?¡± He asked, searching out an innocuous talking point.


    ¡°Did you like those!? Yes. I made them.¡± Aster said. ¡°I¡¯m happy you noticed. You can really tell how bored I have been based on how much work I put into this place.¡± She laughed. ¡°I have been on the island for a year and ran out of things to see so I started decorating.¡±


    ¡°How did you learn to do so many things?¡± The prince asked. ¡°I think, no, I know, you are good at everything.¡±


    ¡°What a sweet thing to say, lil bunny.¡± Aster touched his arm. ¡°Everything might be a bit of an exaggeration. But I have always been a jack and jill of all trades. It¡¯s a long story to get into. Do we have time for a long interlude of back story?¡±


    ¡°Nothing but time.¡± Prin said. ¡°I already slept.¡± Even though he said that, he did feel sort of deliciously sleepy, but not like he actually wanted to go back to bed. He was having too much fun lounging around and talking about rugs. He could talk all night.


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t, so forgive me if I fall asleep abruptly. Just let me, if that happens.¡± Aster said. ¡°So,¡± She snuggled into the bedding, getting more comfortable. ¡°My mama, was everybody¡¯s mama, because she was a Madam, she ran the brothel that she inherited from my grandmother, see?¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Prin was surprised, having never imagined such a thing could be a family business. Not that he had spent much time imagining brothels.


    ¡°I was the only child from her body, of course. And I am a bit surprised she decided to have one at all. But she loved me sooo much and was so kind. However, mama, was very exacting.¡± Aster said. ¡°She had me study reading and ¡®rithmatic and other things from books all day and in the evening I did chores around the place. Like mending, gardening, nothing too serious, all very genteel.


    I had the one mama, many sisters and aunties, and at least a dozen doting papas.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°She never let on which papa was the responsible party, but I think she knew. It just worked out better for the both of us if there were papas to spare. Even though mama may have been strict, I was adored by everyone and treated like a little princess. My sisters and aunties dressed me up and painted my face and curled my hair, whenever they had a spare moment. Mama didn¡¯t approve of children being dolled up like that, you might say. And I didn¡¯t understand it at the time. I just thought she wasn¡¯t any fun. However . . . now that I have worked for a variety of other establishments, I do get it. Mama didn¡¯t want to give the appearance to any of the clients that children worked in her establishment.


    There are some things, bunny, that are so morally abhorrent, that for you to even be in the presence of it and say nothing, do nothing, to stop it, puts a taint on you that can¡¯t ever be removed.


    This is why you should be careful about who you associate yourself with.¡± She patted Prin¡¯s arm for emphasis. ¡°Anyways, I digress.¡±


    She got up on her knees and added another chunk of the stuff from the lacquer box to the burner on the driftwood mantel above the bed, and lit it. ¡°Special occasion.¡± She said to Prin, with a wink. ¡°Are you feeling it?¡±


    ¡°I must be.¡± Prin agreed placidly. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m on a magic carpet in the sky.¡± His head felt at one with the stack of pillows under it, and he had the stuffed bunny tucked into his arm. Contentment.


    Aster laughed softly. ¡°That sounds nice. Let me join you.¡± She settled in close to him, the length of their bodies touching. As much as they could anyway, with the height difference. ¡°Now am I on the magic carpet too?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said seriously. ¡°See the stars?¡±


    Aster took his hand in hers. ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Why are you not there now? With your mama?¡± The prince wondered. He didn¡¯t really think he was out in the open air riding on a carpet through the sky, it had just been a sleepy daydream but actually he was very interested in Aster¡¯s story. ¡°I had the opposite upbringing to you. One mama, one papa, and both of them couldn¡¯t stand the sight of me.¡± He said it plainly, just stating facts, wondering if he would ever say it so many times that it would no longer hurt. Right now it didn¡¯t feel so bad, but he figured that was owing to the smoke.


    ¡°Oh no! That can¡¯t be true. There is no way you weren¡¯t an adorable blue eyed, fat cheeked baby.¡± Aster said. ¡°One that any mama and papa would go crazy for. I will say that a big part of the adoration put my way was sheerly due to cuteness. People are shallow, you know. And I looked a lot like mama, which appealed to her vanity.¡±


    ¡°No, I was sickly then, and probably ugly too.¡± Prin, who had only recently figured out he was probably not ugly, said. At least not ugly now. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what my mother looks like and I only saw my father a few times over the years. So that he could tell me what a disappointment I was, basically.¡±


    ¡°Never mind them, bunny. They were wrong.¡± Aster said. ¡°A lot of the girls in my line of work had mistreatment from their parents growing up. It must be a lot more common than one would think. You did nothing to deserve it, it wasn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    Prin felt tears prickle his eyes but blinked them away. He tried quickly to change the subject, wondering why he ever brought it around to himself to begin with. ¡°So your mama taught you a lot?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes! Well, so, remember the doting papas? It turned out to be a good and bad thing for me, because one of the wealthier ones was always agitating to have me sent away to school, and he would pay for my education. Mama was reluctant but eventually he must have made her an offer she couldn¡¯t refuse because when I turned ten, oh double digits! Big man!, I was sent away to boarding school.¡± She made a face at Prin. ¡°One of those places where rich jerk offs send their rich jerk off sons. They made me cut off all my hair, right down to the orange roots. Yes, bunny, not to disillusion you, but this coloring is mostly dye. The true color is like that of a fresh plucked carrot.¡±


    The prince laughed, picturing a carrot with the leafy green part still attached, growing from the top of Aster¡¯s head. Though he didn¡¯t think that the color would be so bad on her, if he was being honest.


    ¡°You know how I said, all you need is a focal point? You were lucky to be born with two of them naturally staring right out of your face. Some of us have to resort to artificial means.¡± Aster teased.


    ¡°That must have been awful for you.¡± Prin prompted. He was starting to feel like going back to sleep but he wanted to hear more, fearing that it would somehow be his only chance. Besides, at this point he felt invested in the Adventures of Little Aster.


    ¡°They made me wear an itchy uniform that covered every inch from the neck down. But mercifully there was also a stupid little hat that covered up most of the orange.¡± Aster covered her face with both hands. ¡°However, the terrible makeover was the absolute least of it.


    If you knew some of the horrible things I have had to do, or had done to me, over the last few years, you would understand what it means when I say that boarding school ranks as one of the worst most traumatic experiences of my life.


    Perhaps if I had done what they say to do if you are ever in prison, and are particularly short and with a pacifistic upbringing, and put myself in service to one of the stronger and meaner boys, I would have survived it.¡± She turned on her side toward Prin, and spread her fingers to peek out at him playfully. Before removing her hands from her face altogether and throwing them up into the air. ¡°I had too much pride!¡± She laughed. ¡°Me of all people. Oops, I forgot there was someone else here. Is he still asleep?¡±


    ¡°I think so.¡± The prince said. ¡°After learning how to sleep in a ship on the ocean, now he sleeps like a rock.¡±


    ¡°Part of that is just being a teenage boy.¡± Aster suggested. ¡°You know what the girls say about young men? Nah, I won¡¯t repeat it.¡± Aster giggled. ¡°There is something about you that makes me not want to say anything vulgar around you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I don¡¯t think of us as kids.¡± Prin said. ¡°Isn¡¯t seventeen grown yet?¡±


    ¡°On some it is.¡± Aster agreed.


    ¡°But I¡¯m just a baby? Who doesn¡¯t know anything?¡± The prince asked. In some distant corner of his mind he was a little irritated but, the more pleasant feelings of placid contentment overrode it.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, just a little baby bunny.¡± Aster said. ¡°You do know though, you could ask me anything you want to know about sex, right? No problem. You are looking at the expert. It¡¯s really not all that complicated. Not much has changed since prehistoric times.¡± She gave Prin a cheeky look. ¡°Oh, I mean, maybe a little here and there has changed.¡±


    ¡°Umm, no, that¡¯s alright.¡± Prin didn¡¯t feel ready for this conversation. He definitely wanted to be alert and perhaps in a less prone position when and if he ever had this talk with someone, and right now he didn¡¯t even feel capable of sitting up. ¡°Not right now, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Aster yawned. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready, the offer will still be there.¡±


    ¡°Was that another practice yawn? I never got to hear the end of your story.¡± Prin said. ¡°If you had too much pride to survive boarding school, how are you here right now?¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°I ran away after two months. Quite a feat for a ten year old considering it was many miles away from my home. Mercifully on the same continent.


    Mama was angry with me and disappointed, I guess disappointed more then anything. She tried to get me to go back but it was definitely one of those battle of wills I could not afford to lose, and she couldn¡¯t win against her younger counterpart with all the same stubbornness condensed into a smaller container.


    She vowed to make my life hard, until I was begging to go back to school. So, she made me work from sun up to sundown. I learned a lot of different things, as there was always something that needed doing. I took care of the small children some of the ladies had and even taught them a little, I did prep work in the kitchen, cleaned, did hair and manicures, even assisted in a childbirth. Whatever else you can think of in a big house full of women always needing something. Over the next few years it morphed from punishment, into her grooming me to eventually take over the business.


    Which was fine with me, I would even say I enjoyed it. A lot better then boarding school anyway. And she let me wear whatever I wanted. However, I didn¡¯t interact with any clients. Not that way, you know what I mean. She didn¡¯t believe in it. Mama thought you were an adult at sixteen and not a minute sooner, and there was a marked difference between children¡¯s work and adult¡¯s work.¡±


    ¡°What happened when you turned sixteen?¡± Prin wondered. He wasn¡¯t sure he thought that was the age of adulthood. Then again, it was only a year younger than himself.


    ¡°She still wouldn¡¯t let me.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°She loved you.¡± The prince said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Aster said softly. ¡°Looking back on it, she never made me do anything that she didn¡¯t feel strongly was in my best interest. She wanted me to be out of there, doing something different with my life. I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Did you run away?¡± Prin wondered. He thought maybe Aster had become frustrated living under her mother¡¯s rules. Maybe running away was more then a one time thing. Maybe it was a ritual.


    ¡°No, oh no.¡± Aster¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Well, yes, in a manner of speaking. Although . . . there was nothing there anymore to go back to after the fire.¡± Aster went silent after that, and the silence extended too long before Prin finally asked.


    ¡°Fire?¡± He turned on his side to face Aster. Aster was fast asleep. Deeply breathing, arms limp, closed eyes creating pools of shadow in their sockets. The life had finally gone out of the doll.


    But that was okay, Prin knew it would return to her in the morning, just like the sun. Or in the afternoon anyway. He closed his eyes too, and the sleep was blissful. He hardly dreamed about fires at all.

 Chapter 38

    When the prince finally, with luxuriant slowness, opened his eyes, Elwin¡¯s face was there. Warm brown eyes, eyebrows knitted slightly in concern, nose almost close enough to Prin¡¯s for them to touch. He was kneeling by the side of the bed, looking as though he may have been there for a while.


    ¡°Eep!¡± Prin let out a startled squeak. He wasn¡¯t sure what dreams he had been having but the transition felt jarring.


    ¡°I thought you were going to sleep all day.¡± Elwin said. He touched Prin¡¯s cheek and forehead, old instincts returning. ¡°Are you feeling okay?¡±


    Prin blinked rapidly, his eyes and mouth felt dry. There were bits of sharp afternoon sunlight coming into the room where they could, in between the tapestries, where the walls joined the roof, the edges of the door. It wasn¡¯t a very sound shed.


    He looked to the other side of him to see Aster stir slightly in her sleep. She was laying on her side facing the prince, her lips slightly parted, one arm under her pillow and the other laying across the bed as though reaching toward him. The daytime light was flattering, bringing an almost glowing translucence to her complexion making the freckles stand out even more, like flecks of paint, artistically applied.


    When awareness finally hit, he felt his cheeks grow hot. He couldn¡¯t believe that Elwin was not going to ask him what he was doing in his underwear in Aster¡¯s bed.


    ¡°I am a little jealous, not going to lie.¡± Elwin said sheepishly.


    ¡°Oh no, there¡¯s no need!¡± Prin stumbled over his words. ¡°You know how I feel about ¨C¡±


    ¡°You got to sleep in a bed.¡± Elwin said, with a little laugh. Now his cheeks were burning too.


    Prin laughed. Elwin was so cute. It wouldn¡¯t be in him to accuse Prin of wrongdoing. Not that kind of wrongdoing anyway.


    ¡°What¡¯s all the fuss?¡± Aster asked, voice low and dreamy. She scootched closer and leaned over Prin to look at Elwin.


    She was pressed into Prin¡¯s back in such a way that he suddenly had a squirmy feeling in his stomach. He wasn¡¯t sure whether he liked it or wanted to get away. Is this what Elwin meant by a weird feeling? He could feel her breath on his ear. The red tassels of hair at the end of her braids draped over Prin¡¯s arm, feeling like a whisper sounds.


    ¡°Sorry to wake you up.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Not a good way to show gratitude for letting us sleep here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem.¡± Aster yawned. ¡°Bunny your, Elwin, did you say? Is so well mannered. In addition to being good looking. Well done. He is even better up close.¡±


    Prin could feel her smiling over his shoulder. All three of their faces were close enough to kiss each other.


    ¡°I don¡¯t usually give it out for free, but if it was for the sake of an educational demonstration I could make an exception.¡± Aster said.


    The color rose in Elwin¡¯s face again and his eyebrows knitted together in a look like he was trying to school his face away from a glare. He stood up quickly. ¡°We had better be going. Prin and I have to look for work today.¡±


    Aster rolled away from Prin, back to her side of the bed. ¡°I was only kidding, don¡¯t worry. And you can stay with me as long as you need to. As far as I¡¯m concerned anyway.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, hopefully that won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Elwin said.


    At the same time Prin said. ¡°Thanks! That will help a lot.¡±


    ¡°I also have a job lined up, if you¡¯re interested.¡± Aster said casually, pausing there to give them a chance to shower her with praise and thanks.


    ¡°Really!?¡± Prin asked. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Elwin¡¯s face remained impassive, which was better then outright skepticism, Prin supposed. He stood up and collected Prin¡¯s pants and shirt from the floor where he had dropped them the night before.


    Aster pulled the cover up over her face. ¡°First, let¡¯s go back to sleep for a while.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s your clothes.¡± Elwin held up the shirt first, in a pointed way.


    The prince took the hint and held his arms in the air so that Elwin could help him on with the shirt. ¡°Aster, really?¡± He moved the blanket to peek in at Aster¡¯s face. ¡°I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re teasing or for real.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°Okay, alright. I¡¯ll tell you. You have to keep an open mind though.¡± She sat back up, booping Prin on the nose.


    Prin put on his pants. It wasn¡¯t much fun to be back in daytime clothes, but oh well, it had to happen eventually.


    Elwin sighed. ¡°No way are we working in there.¡± He pointed at the pink house. ¡°I am not that open minded.¡±


    ¡°No, no, hear me out.¡± Aster said. ¡°How would you like to work for a pirate captain?¡± She directed this at Prin, as though knowing exactly how he would feel about the proposal.


    The prince grinned at her. ¡°I think you know the answer to that! Wait, is it dangerous?¡± He reached for Elwin¡¯s hand and held it, trying to telegraph for him to hold his horses, that Prin had the situation in hand.


    ¡°No, of course not, bunny! Captain Thompson is as sweet as pie. I would never send you over there otherwise. This is work at his home, not on the ship.¡± Aster said. ¡°He has a beautiful home, where he has been spending a lot of time lately as he is now semi-retired, and has some family issues to deal with, I believe.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the job?¡± Elwin asked.


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    ¡°He says he has a lot of things to organize, treasures he has collected over the years, interesting artifacts. Oh, and a huge library. He wants all of his things cataloged and shelved.¡± Aster said. ¡°Wanted me to do it, but of course . . .¡±


    Prin could hardly contain his excitement at the word library. He had always known there must be much bigger and grander collections of books than his at home. ¡°Can you take us there right away?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t go, not inside the house anyway. Maybe I can take you to the house, I¡¯ve seen it from the outside.¡± She twirled a curl of hair absently around one finger.


    ¡°Huh, why not?¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t allowed to go inside a client¡¯s house. Mama Kris doesn¡¯t allow house calls. It¡¯s probably just as well though, really.¡± Aster said. ¡°They might steal you away away away.¡± She waved her hand at some imagined far distant point, as though to demonstrate how far away she was talking about. But she seemed wistful, as though she wouldn¡¯t mind it at all if it happened.


    *


    Aster sent them on their way, with promises to meet up later and walk with them to the pirate¡¯s doorstep. That, and a few coins to pay for Elwin¡¯s bath and a shave, so they would make a good first impression on their new employer.


    Elwin and Prin went to the lonely cove to retrieve their belongings first, which mercifully had not been disturbed. Although the lifeboat already looked like a ship wreck that had washed ashore a hundred years before, and become full of windswept sand and wildlife. A bird nested underneath one of the benches.


    Next, they went to the bathhouse. Elwin was impressed with the facilities, although at this point he wouldn¡¯t have been above bathing in a rusty old tub outside in the garden, whatever got him clean. Prin¡¯s look of envy made him want to invite him into the water, but the stern face of the attendant at the desk, made him think that would be a definite no no which would cause them to not be allowed back in. And in fact, no sharing a bath was on the list of rules on the door. Prin washed his back for him and his hair.


    On the way back to the restaurant in town, Elwin counted his coins and vowed to get as much food as it would buy. They needed their strength, and it wasn¡¯t enough money to do anything else with anyway. If at least one of them didn¡¯t manage to get a decent job, they may be stuck on this island for life.


    *


    Elwin sat brooding over the pirate adjacent jobs they couldn¡¯t afford to refuse, while Prin sat across from him and smiled vaguely, his mind clearly elsewhere. No doubt he was thinking of the pirate jobs too, but in a completely different way than Elwin was.


    Elwin was just about to ask if this was the case when Aster came striding towards them. It was true, she could move fast, even with those short legs.


    Aster was back in high style, fully put together for the evening¡¯s work. Her dress this time was spring green with yellow and darker green trim, and her curls were snaked all in and out with ribbon wrapped braids. Prin would no doubt be very impressed. Something, something, goddess of spring.


    Elwin smiled at her. Even though he had his doubts, the prince had been right about Squeaks, hadn¡¯t he? So maybe this time as well, they could trust his instincts.


    ¡°Aster!¡± Prin squealed, as though it had been much more then an hour since they saw each other.


    ¡°Bunny!¡± Aster waved, a shimmying of her fingers. ¡°Have you had enough to eat?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°We have nothing for the next meal, though.¡± Elwin admitted, making the decision to be completely upfront with their predicament.


    ¡°Never mind that.¡± Aster stood behind him and patted his freshly washed hair. ¡°If the captain doesn¡¯t see to it, I will. Could always sneak you a little something from the kitchen at Mama Kris¡¯s, although the food is nothing to write home about.¡± She smiled across the table towards Prin. ¡°Everything will be alright now, you¡¯ll see.¡±


    Elwin stood up, feeling slightly uncomfortable with her presence so close to him but where he couldn¡¯t see her.


    ¡°Well then, shall we?¡± Aster offered her arm to Prin.


    Prin stood up and linked his arm with hers. ¡°Oh! I can¡¯t wait.¡±


    Aster giggled. ¡°He¡¯s just a regular person. Middle aged retiree, with a belly and long beard.¡±


    ¡°A regular person with a dangerous past.¡± Elwin said. He followed them as they perambulated down the main street, in the direction that he and Prin had not yet explored.


    ¡°This is true.¡± Aster said. ¡°If you think about it, that could apply to anyone and how would you even know it?¡±


    The prince looked over his shoulder and a look passed between him and Elwin. One that said, don¡¯t prod this subject further. Under the circumstances.


    Elwin grimaced. He didn¡¯t think of the prince and himself as dangerous. But of course . . . they were.


    They walked a few blocks away from the center of town. Was it his imagination, or did the cobblestones become nicer as they went along. More well maintained, and perhaps better quality stones.


    While Prin and Aster were chatting of innocuous things, they had begun to go past houses that were increasingly nice and large as they went along.


    ¡°This is hardly the center of excitement, but a good place to raise a family in relative peace? Or so I¡¯ve been told.¡± Aster said. ¡°And can¡¯t you just tell all these people have money with a capitol M?¡± She added in a stage whisper.


    Prin nodded solemnly at this, caring little for rich people unless they were pirates, or maybe witches.


    Finally they reached the end of a particularly beautiful, wide, street, and there set a grand house the reddish color of clay, with a double wide stable beside it for the horses. It was the best one on the street, large windows, it was hard to tell how many bedrooms it may have. The house extended backward into its partially wooded lot, causing it to be even bigger than it at first seemed.


    ¡°How many staff does it take to run this place?¡± Elwin wondered.


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing. Captain Thompson doesn¡¯t readily trust people, as you can imagine.¡± Aster said. ¡°So the answer to that is, probably not enough by half. Although as I said, I haven¡¯t been inside the house, so I guess you will have to let me know when you come home tonight.¡± She winked at Prin. ¡°Here, my love.¡± She took a silver key from an invisible pocket and handed it to Prin. ¡°It¡¯s the spare key to my room. Keep it safe!¡±


    Prin looked at the key in awe, before holding it to his chest, as though being given a treasured item for safe keeping. ¡°I will! Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Elwin felt a niggling worry about her use of the term ¡°my love¡±, which he felt was only something he should say to the prince and no one else. With great effort he tried to dismiss his intrusive thoughts. He smiled in her direction, though it felt forced.


    ¡°I best be going now.¡± Aster said. ¡°See you boys later.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Aren¡¯t you going to walk us to the door?¡± Elwin was nervous. Did semi-retired pirate captains have loaded muskets at the ready?


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine without me.¡± Aster assured. ¡°Just be respectful and don¡¯t get overly friendly with the daughter.¡± She ticked off these two things on her fingers, before giving up and saying brightly. ¡°That¡¯s about it!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Aster.¡± The prince said seriously.


    ¡°Aww, bunny, you¡¯re welcome.¡± Aster took his hand and gave it a squeeze. ¡°Just bat those baby blues at him, like you¡¯re doing to me right now, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have him eating out of the palm of your hand.¡± She smiled at Prin and then at Elwin. ¡°You¡¯ll do just fine. Now go on, best time to do something you¡¯re nervous about is right away.¡±


    She lingered in the street for a moment to make sure they were going. When they stood in front of the pirate¡¯s door, Elwin took a glance backwards over his shoulder. Aster was gone.


    Prin lifted the heavy brass knocker, in the ominous shape of an overturned bat, and knocked on the door with it three times. Knock. Knock. Knock.


    After a long moment there were some scuffling, shuffling sounds, that escalated to thumps and groans as they got closer. Elwin exchanged a look with Prin.


    Suddenly the door was pulled open and, with a final swoosh of sound like the air going out of a large bellows and a flock of birds taking flight, an avalanche of something hurled itself out at them!

 Chapter 39

    Elwin lunged to push the prince out of the way, but it was too late and he only succeeded in joining him in the line of fire. They were quickly engulfed.


    Elwin shut his eyes tight for a moment and when he opened them the ground was three feet deep in papers and books, and they were standing in the middle of it clutching on to each other for dear life. The eye of the storm.


    Prin¡¯s eyes, already large admittedly, were the size of dinner plates. He took a shaky deep breath. ¡°Is it over?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be gods-damned, so that¡¯s where that went to! I was a wonderin.¡± The man in front of them filled all of the doorway with his girth, as he bent down to pick up a book that was amidst the fallen pile. ¡°Lucky me!¡±


    He straightened back up, dusting off his long ginger and white beard, and grinned at the two momentarily stunned young men. ¡°I forgot why we usually don¡¯t use this door.¡± He said, by way of apology.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Elwin asked Prin. He did seem okay, if startled and dusty.


    Prin patted the dust off himself and smile at the captain. ¡°No harm done!¡±


    Elwin always had admired his ability to shake things off.


    ¡°Are you¡¯ns Rose¡¯s friends? I imagine you are, since no one¡¯s ever foolish enough to come here and knock on my door like they aint ever known a bit of fear in their life! Either way, I admire the gumption!¡± Captain Thompson said.


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure what this meant exactly, but it definitely made him want to retreat from this place and never set foot on this street again. However, how to do that without causing insult to a dangerous man. Impossible.


    ¡°Yes, we are.¡± The prince said. ¡°You must be Captain Thompson? It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Oh ho ho!¡± The captain laughed. ¡°What a cute kid. Yer here for jobs, so you can get started by picking up all this.¡± He gestured at the mess he had just made. ¡°Then come around to the back door and we¡¯ll talk about the rest of your duties.¡± He was still laughing as he shut the door in their faces.


    ¡°At least he thought you were cute.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin and Elwin set to work, re stacking the piles of papers and books. Elwin having to keep Prin from getting too particular in his sorting, or stopping to read something that looked particularly enticing. Finally they were done, and each holding as much as they could carry. They carefully walked around to the back of the house.


    ¡°Hey, he¡¯s a reader!¡± Prin said optimistically, as though this said only good things about someone on a personal level.


    ¡°At least there¡¯s that.¡± Elwin said wryly, peeking cautiously around the oversized stack of books he was carrying.


    It took a while to make it around the side and into the back, since the house was larger than it looked. The back of the house had a neatly manicure lawn, with rose bushes under the windows. The blooms were pink.


    ¡°How will we knock?¡± Prin wondered, referring to their hands, overburdened.


    Luckily a girl was coming outside as they came around the corner. She was carrying a bag of trash to toss in one of the covered cans near the back door.


    She looked to be in her teens or early twenties, with blond hair wrapped up in rag curlers, and wearing a blue robe over a white embroidered night gown. Her face was cherubic with wide dark eyes, and rosy round cheeks, a cupid¡¯s bow of a mouth. Which she pursed in consternation when she saw them.


    ¡°Who are you? Who told you to come here?¡± She clutched her robe tight to her chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Prin said sheepishly.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to work for your father.¡± Elwin said, remembering what Aster had said about there being a daughter. Then he second guessed himself. How did this willowy petulant blonde look anything like the old red bearded captain? ¡°Er . . . I mean, the captain.¡±


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    ¡°You are!?¡± She exclaimed. The girl threw her trash away quickly. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± She hurried back through the door, shutting and locking it behind herself.


    ¡°Wait!¡± the prince called after her, but it was too late, or didn¡¯t matter anyway. She had no intention of stopping. ¡°What did we do wrong.¡± His arms sagged, disappointed and tired of carrying the heavy stack of papers.


    ¡°Some ladies get upset when people see them in their dressing gown.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s nothing we did.¡± Or maybe she¡¯s just a brat.


    After what seemed an eternity of waiting, they could hear voices arguing on the other side of the door. It sounded like an older woman, and the blonde one they had just seen.


    The lock clicked and the door swing open, with an old lady in a floral dress and ruffly white apron standing in the doorway. ¡°What¡¯sa matter, Pet? I¡¯ll handle it, you just go on to your room.¡± She was saying over her shoulder.


    They could hear footsteps stomping off into the further reaches of the house.


    The woman smiled warmly at them. ¡°Sorry about that, you just startled her is all. She weren¡¯t expecting to see no one out here this afternoon. Come in, come in! Don¡¯t stand there and let the flies in to sit in our supper.¡±


    The prince led the way and Elwin followed him into a neat and tidy kitchen.


    ¡°You can set those down on the counter for now.¡± The woman suggested. ¡°I¡¯m Mrs. Frances, I been working for the Captain since, well, practically since he was nothing but a young pup like the two of you!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look old enough for that to be true.¡± The prince said smoothly, as he sat down his burden.


    Elwin cast him a look of admiration. Smart to pick up on the fact that the head housekeeper is the one to impress in these places. She will be fully in charge of almost everything between these walls. He sat his own stack down, though it seemed a shame to sully the clean counter tops.


    ¡°Oh, you little thing you!¡± Mrs. Frances said.


    If it wasn¡¯t in Elwin¡¯s imagination, she was blushing. ¡°I¡¯m Elwin.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And the charmer is Prin.¡±


    The old lady chuckled. ¡°He is, he is at that.¡± She brushed her hands on her apron. ¡°Now what can I get you boys for supper. You¡¯re thin as rails, could use a good feeding up, says I.¡± She began to bustle around with preparations without waiting for a reply.


    ¡°No, I¡ª¡± Prin said. ¡°We¡¯re here to work.¡±


    ¡°I know that, silly boys.¡± Mrs. Frances said, undeterred.


    ¡°Captain Thompson is waiting for us, but we can¡¯t wait to try some of your cooking shortly, when we are done with whatever tasks he has for us.¡± Elwin said. He was used to people trying to fatten you up when you step inside their kitchens (although he had greatly missed this perk since leaving the castle), and wasn¡¯t about to turn down a good thing. It made him think of his parents, who after all, weren¡¯t so bad.


    ¡°How about just a piece of pie then?¡± Mrs. Frances straightened up from where she was pulling something out of the oven. A fresh cherry pie.


    The prince smiled, eyes sparkling happily. ¡°Could we? Maybe just a little one?¡± He looked to Elwin for affirmation.


    ¡°Will the captain get angry if we dawdle?¡± Elwin wondered, still bearing in mind that this was a pirate they were talking about here. Even a pirate who was in charge of a whole ship, at one point anyway, and one who seems to have done quite well for himself in the business of robbery, kidnapping, and murder on the high seas. Or something like that.


    ¡°Let me worry about him.¡± Mrs. Frances said with a wink. She put a couple of big pieces of pie on plates and motioned them to have a seat at a cozy table in a nook overlooking the garden. ¡°I can¡¯t stand to see growing boys like you uns go hungry.¡±


    ¡°We have been hungry, Mrs. Frances.¡± Prin said earnestly. He sat down where she indicated. ¡°Every since I fed our supplies to a mermaid.¡±


    Elwin bit back a laugh. He was there to see the circumstances he was referring to, and even he couldn¡¯t believe it.


    ¡°You did!?¡± Mrs. Frances exclaimed. ¡°She must have been a hungry lass, I¡¯m sure you did her a good turn.¡±


    Elwin sat down beside Prin, wondering if he was the crazy one.


    Mrs. Frances put the pie down in front of them along with large mugs of frothy beer. ¡°Drink this too, you need the nutrients.¡± She assured.


    The pie was beautiful, with golden brown, sugar encrusted lattice work over a deep red interior.


    Prin took a big bite. ¡°This is wonderful.¡± He shoveled a couple more bites into his mouth.


    Elwin put a bite of pie on his fork and smelled it¡¯s sweet and tangy aroma, but before he could bring it to his mouth he looked over at Prin. The site of the prince¡¯s mouth full of red stuff had traumatizing associations that almost turned his stomach. He had to forcibly remind himself that it wouldn¡¯t look at all odd to anyone else. He vowed to make no indication of his disgust, and simply not look over there again.


    With this in mind, he took a bite, and the taste was just as perfect as it looked. This pie would have even given his father¡¯s home made pie a run for its money.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on in here?¡± A familiar voice boomed. ¡°You can¡¯t feed every critter in the neighborhood!¡± Captain Thompson came into the kitchen, with his hands on his big belly and his eyebrows knitted together.


    Elwin¡¯s stomach did an anxious flip flop.


    ¡°What do ya mean by that, Julius!? Didn¡¯t you invite them here?¡± Mrs. Frances said. Her voice the stern schoolmarm.


    ¡°Not to eat!¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Well, least ways not before working.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll work much better after they eat.¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°Now, do you want a piece?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡± Captain Thompson sat down on the bench beside Prin, scrunching him into Elwin who had to quickly scoot over to make room.


    The prince continued to polish off his pie, not willing to let even a pirate stand in the way of a good dessert.

 Chapter 40

    After their snack, Captain Thompson insisted on personally showing them around his home. The prince thought he did seem like a nice fellow, as Aster had assured, but he could see how some would think otherwise. Elwin seemed to be chewing on his lower lip a lot, which was a sure sign of being nervous. Prin wished for a private moment to reassure him, but it didn¡¯t seem like that would be possible.


    There was a hallway outside of the kitchen with doors on the right and the left.


    ¡°This is the library.¡± Captain Thompson pointed toward an ornately carved door.


    Why were libraries like that? All the good wood carving was used on the door before you even get into the room. Prin supposed it was a form of advertisement for the wonderful things held within. It made sense in that context.


    ¡°That will be one of the areas that needs organizing.¡± Captain Thompson continued. He pointed to different doors without opening them. Bathing room, office (off limits, if you please, or even if you don¡¯t please), Mrs. Frances¡¯ quarters, storage rooms, and at the far end the dining room and entrance hall with the staircase leading upstairs.


    It wasn¡¯t much of a tour, as he seemed a little hesitant to let them see everything. Is it because a lot of the house would be similar to what happened when the front door was opened? A messy avalanche of whatever happened to be crammed inside? If so, this would be weeks worth of work, maybe months. Prin just wasn¡¯t sure they had that kind of time to spare. But what could they do  without money for further passage?


    Captain Thompson finally opened a door and motioned for them to follow him inside. It was a parlor with gold and green brocade matching couch and two antique chairs. With a conspicuous pile of crates and sacks filling the other half of the room. Prin couldn¡¯t help but be intrigued. Was it pirate treasure?


    Captain Thompson parked himself on one of the chairs, and Prin and Elwin sat down uneasily on the couch, side by side.


    The captain had a harsh looking expression, casting his eyes from one to the other. Suddenly he smiled. ¡°So how do you know Rose? For how long? Are you cousins, or summing? What did he say about me? Hmm?¡± He leaned in closer to the boys sitting across the way, eagerly awaiting their answer.


    ¡°Well, umm, we . . .¡± Elwin stumbled over is words until Prin came to his rescue.


    ¡°We¡¯re good friends.¡± Prin said cheerily. ¡°But we aren¡¯t related or anything, and she said you were just the best.¡± He smiled back at Captain Thompson, hoping he would be satisfied with this answer. Immediately he began to second guess himself. Should he have said they were cousins after all? Was this something Aster had hinted at, to prevent jealousy? And Prin had sat here and just ruined it?


    ¡°Did he really?¡± The captain asked, although it was clearly more rhetorical than anything. He leaned back in his seat, resting his arms across his belly. ¡°That Rose is so cute, I would just love to steal him away from Mama Kris, for keeps.¡± He sighed. ¡°Alas, there are some things even the king of the pirates can¡¯t have.¡± His smile turned wistful. ¡°Jus as well I ¡®spose, since it¡¯s hard to say how my progeny would react to my bringing a lover home, especially to live with us.¡± He chuckled.


    ¡°Is their mother . . ?¡± Elwin wondered.


    Prin gave him a look. Was it tactful to even mention that?


    ¡°Dead. Long dead.¡± Captain Thompson assured. ¡°Still, they are jealous of my time and attention, just like when they was little tykes, and them mostly grown at this point. Any-way,¡± He waved his large hand dismissively through the air. ¡°Enough of this small talk, lets get down to brass tacks, shall we? Which one of you is the brains in this operation?¡±


    ¡°Does that mean we have jobs? Both of us?¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t ya already been doing them?¡± the captain asked. ¡°At the front door, that was your trial and you passed with flying colors.¡± He said this quickly enough that Prin could tell it was meaningless, the mess avalanche had been legitimate, not a part of some job interview task.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Elwin said. He narrowed his eyes, brows knitting in concentration.


    The prince watched him for a moment, wondering exactly what he was thinking about.


    ¡°So the pay is one silver shurl a week.¡± Captain Thompson looked from one to the other with a smirk. ¡°Each.¡± He added, as though that were the final token of immense generosity that should win them over.


    Prin had no idea what a shurl was. But silver was good, he supposed.


    Elwin put his hand on Prin¡¯s knee firmly, as though holding him down. Prin wasn¡¯t sure what was happening exactly but he knew something was and that Elwin was handling it.


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    ¡°Hmm,¡± Elwin said. ¡°We¡¯ll have to think on that. Since we¡¯re just simple country boys and all, perhaps we¡¯ll take your offer to Rose and ask her whether that¡¯s a fair deal or we could do better elsewhere. Although I¡¯m sure it¡¯s good since you wouldn¡¯t treat her friends poorly.¡±


    The captain put his hand over his face in an exasperated gesture, although it was clear to see there was a playful smile peeking out through his fingers. ¡°Fine, fine, I was only kidding! Two shurl¡¯s per week each, and one day off. That¡¯s my final offer.¡±


    Elwin finally smiled. ¡°Deal.¡±


    Captain Thompson laughed at them again. ¡°Oh ho ho, I know who the brains is now. This one can organize my library.¡±


    ¡°Can I help?¡± the prince asked, feeling the dread of unfettered library access slipping away from him.


    ¡°Respectfully, Prin is more of the library person. Both of us are the brains.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin felt a swell of pride for Elwin. He usually insisted that he wasn¡¯t that smart. Maybe his confidence was improving. ¡°I was born to organize books.¡± He couldn¡¯t help blurt out.


    ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Elwin assisted.


    ¡°Never seen someone so excited to play with books. You should talk to my son if you see him around. Loves books, just a shame he can¡¯t read them, poor thing.¡± He stood up from the chair, with a groan of pain against old stiff muscles. ¡°Come on then, enough dilly dallying, there¡¯s so much to do.¡±


    Elwin and Prin stood up to follow him.


    ¡°This is Elwin.¡± Prin introduced, as it only seemed proper that their new employer should know both of their names. ¡°By the way.¡±


    ¡°Elwin By-The-Way, and relation to Highway an¡¯ Byway?¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Never mind, never mind, that is what my daughter Wrena refers to as a dad joke, or if she is feeling particularly spiteful, a bad dad joke. Rose is one of the youths, don¡¯t tell him how uncool I am.¡±


    The prince laughed, both because he was funny and because he thought laughter would be very diplomatic at the moment. Everyone likes someone who laughs at their jokes. He nudged Elwin with his elbow, but he didn¡¯t seem to take the hint.


    The captain led them back out of the parlor and motioned towards the front entranceway. ¡°One of yous can start in there and one can take the library, I don¡¯t actually care which one.¡± He took a pocket watch out and looked at the time. ¡°We will meet again in the kitchen at eight o clock. We never really use the formal dining room.¡± He made a sheepish cringe of a face and Prin thought he could tell why they didn¡¯t use the dining room. It was piled up with junk ¨C treasure, wasn¡¯t it.


    As they prepared to part, Elwin pulled the prince close and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. Prin felt his cheeks grow warm. He wasn¡¯t sure what that was about. An attempt by Elwin to show what their relationship was to the old captain? To stake his territory? Prin was not sure what he felt about that.


    And besides, there was no chance Captain Thompson would show an interest in him when he had Aster on his mind. There was no competition. Even if that hadn¡¯t been so, he felt no sense of threat at all from the captain, and even wondered how he had possibly ever been a ferocious pirate captain, even if it was years ago before he had kids.


    The captain just smirked at them, before turning to go down the hall towards his office. ¡°Get to work!¡± He called back over his shoulder.


    Prin waved goodbye to Elwin, suddenly shy and not knowing the words to say. He went to stand in front of the carved library door, watching Elwin out of the corner of his eye as he disappeared through his own doorway.


    The ornate carvings had the shapes of birds among blossom filled trees. The darkened wood had the sheen of something very old that people¡¯s fingers had smoothly polished over many years of reverent touching. He wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the carvings were much older then the house itself.


    The prince turned the brass knob and pushed the door open very carefully, fearful of a pile of books that may be taller than he is falling on him all at once. Nothing fell, and all was quiet.


    It was so dark inside as the sliver of room slowly grew on the other side of the door, that Prin debated going back to the kitchen for some matches. There were no doubt candles or oil lamps inside, right? Then he remembered how improved his night vision had gotten as of late, and just gave his eyes a moment to catch up to the darkness within. He would get a feel for the place before turning on the lights, see what he was working with.


    The prince¡¯s stomach did a giddy flip flop of excitement.


    As his eyes adjusted he could just make out the large statues that guarded each side of the doorway. The hulking figures appeared to be a lion¡¯s body with a human¡¯s head. The sense of incoming claustrophobia began with them, larger then even a tall-ish man like Prin.


    Beyond the figures were bookshelves, poorly kept, with the books piled up and overflowing onto the floor. There were at least three rows deep of shelving with narrow aisle ways between them.


    The prince was so busy taking stock of the sheer number of books (even a mind like an abacus couldn¡¯t have calculated it!), that he failed to notice the cat until it brushed against his ankle, purring loudly. Also, it had the perfect camouflage.


    ¡°Oh hi! Excuse me.¡± Prin said, startled, speaking to the fluffy solid black animal like you would a human you had nearly bumped into.


    ¡°Hi.¡± The cat replied in a dead pan voice, unlike how you would imagine the voice of a cat speaking human words to sound.


    Prin¡¯s mind began to short circuit immediately. Cat. Talk. They do that now? Is this a special messenger of some sort? Prin¡¯s mind went to where it so often did. Was this related to a witch?


    The prince couldn¡¯t help himself, he squeaked, followed by high pitched nervous laughter.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you? Are you daft?¡± The calm emotionless voice continued.


    The cat was disappearing around the corner of one of the shelves. Prin had in mind to follow it, but as his eyes scanned the room more thoroughly, he saw something at the far end.


    Down the center of the room, between the rows of shelving, was a carpet runner which terminated at the far wall, consisting of windows concealed by heavy drapery. An armchair sat beneath the window, exactly centered. What at first appeared to be a large doll or marionette sat in the chair, a second black cat in its lap.


    The prince could see it was no doll when the hand moved to pet the cat. He jumped, recovering quickly as his eyes further absorbed the blackness and made sense of it. He could see a figure in black and grey, a sailor style outfit with the wide square collar, moonlight pale skin, and yellow hair for a shock of sun. Pale, pale eyes.


    ¡°Boo.¡± The person said.

 Chapter 41

    Clearly it hadn¡¯t been the cat who had said Hi. Prin was disappointed. He tried to shake it off quickly, as he shifted his focus to this intriguing (vaguely terrifying!?) new development.


    ¡°I-I- Why are you sitting here in the dark?¡± the prince asked. ¡°Were you trying to scare me on purpose?¡± He hoped he didn¡¯t sound too peevish asking it, he just really wanted to know.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know who you are.¡± The shadowy figure replied. They stood up from the chair and stretched, all the world like a cat in human skin, and the cat itself half jumped half glided from their lap. All in one smooth movement.


    The dark colored sailor style top, went with matching short pants. Although some details were revealed it was still impossible to make out the person¡¯s face from the distance and in this level of darkness.


    ¡°If I disturbed you, I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Prin said, choosing his words as tactfully as possible. ¡°I was assigned to work in here. Which would be helped by some more light. I think . . . I¡¯m going to get a lantern or something and be right back.¡± He took a step backward through the doorway he had just entered.


    ¡°You can open up the curtains, or tell Frances to get the girl to do it.¡± The figure came towards Prin holding a slim walking stick capped with silver. ¡°I spend a lot of time in here. No one bothers me, since the rest of my family are illiterate and have no use for such places.¡±


    The prince suddenly realized he had left his own walking stick in the kitchen with their luggage, and had completely forgotten to need it. Imagine that.


    What could this boy, for he could see now what was an older boy or young man, age indeterminate but perhaps made confusing by the child-like manner of dress, who was as lithe and agile as this, need with a walking stick? To hit people with? Prin had read about young lords who did such things, though he had never personally experienced it. He cringed slightly, preparing to dart out of the line of fire if need be.


    The black and grey sailor suit did sort of compliment him in a weird way. If creepy marionette was your aesthetic. He was on the short side and slender, skin the sickly color of thin milk, with a cap of hair not completely yellow after all but more strawberry blond. What should have been an almost too pretty face, was marred by healed scratches, scars, surrounding both eyes as though they had been clawed at, but not recently. That, along with the light colored lashes and eyebrows that almost blended in to nonexistence with the surrounding skin, served to overshadow his other features. The boy¡¯s pale blue eyes, like the lightest water color wash of sky blue, looked at something over Prin¡¯s shoulder.


    The prince did not like to think of others who he barely knew in uncharitable terms. But, his initial thought didn¡¯t change a bit as he came closer. This kid was creepy.


    ¡°Are you staring at me?¡± The boy touched his face under his eye lightly with his finger tips, as though he was treating the area gingerly, as though it still hurt, or the memory of it did. ¡°I once had a nervous collapse when I was younger and they had to wrap my hands with rags and restrain me to keep me from doing further damage to myself. My father doesn¡¯t like to talk about it.¡± He clicked his tongue and the two black cats slinked their way towards him. Identical except one had fluffy hair and one shorter sleek hair. Their green eyes stared at Prin, double sets of will o wisps over the marsh. ¡°I¡¯m better now. Or at least more resigned to my situation.¡±


    After a too long moment, it finally clicked for Prin. ¡°You can¡¯t see anything at all.¡± It would explain both the eyes that saw deeply into the distant nowhere, and the stick. Maybe he didn¡¯t hit people with it after all. The prince immediately softened towards him, feeling a twinge of regret at anything he might have said or done to offend, real or imagined.


    The irony of a blind young man taking solace in a library was not lost on him though.


    ¡°Maybe some shapes in the light, on a good day.¡± The boy waved his hand before him. ¡°I imagine that too will pass, in time.¡±


    ¡°Well, I had better,¡± Prin motioned behind himself before quickly realizing that it was futile to make gestures when speaking to a blind person. ¡°I mean . . .¡±


    ¡°Hey, how old are you? You sound young. What are you doing here, really? You can tell me.¡± The young man said. He stopped just a couple of feet away from Prin and poked him with the walking cane. ¡°Stay and answer my questions.¡± He added firmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m seventeen.¡± The prince said, startled and uncomfortable but not seeing much choice but to comply. Did he put people on the spot like this when he was in his sick bed, desperate for companionship? He didn¡¯t think so, but still, he would show compassion to this lonely boy, in honor of his former self. ¡°I was hired to help the captain, your father? To help him organize the house and this was one of the rooms of concern. There¡¯s nothing deeper going on then that. Umm, what else did you ask me?¡±


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    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± the boy asked.


    ¡°They call me Prin. What¡¯s your name, and how old are you?¡± The prince only thought it fair.


    ¡°I will be fifteen soon, although the thought of aging another year does nothing for me. They call me Valor.¡± Valor said. ¡°As much as it doesn¡¯t fit.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, you seem very brave to me!¡± Prin said, taking a gamble that such a comment would be pleasing and not just serve to get himself another poke with the sharp end of the stick.


    Valor smiled, a tiny crescent moon immerging from behind the clouds. ¡°Can you read? I mean well?¡±


    ¡°Uhh, yes, I think so.¡± Prin said. ¡°Yes. Very well. Is what I mean by that.¡±


    ¡°Will you read to me?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Prin said. ¡°Maybe later, after I get some work done for Captain Thompson.¡±


    ¡°No. Now.¡± Valor said.


    The prince wondered if he would get in trouble for not doing the organizing work. However, it didn¡¯t seem wise to disobey the young lord. It didn¡¯t seem like it was even an option.


    ¡°I¡¯ll definitely need to get some lights on in here first.¡± Prin said. A giddy thread of thought wormed its way in behind his ear and he grinned, just for himself. He might be doing a lot of reading in this house.


    *


    Elwin examined the room. This room didn¡¯t need an organizer, it needed an exorcism. Still, he was grateful for the job. He could work near his prince, and out of the sun and weather. At this point that seemed amazing.


    He looked around at the piles and crates full of things everywhere, as far as the eye could see, and decided, maybe he wasn¡¯t particularly suited to this kind of work. He had no idea where to start. Was there even furniture in this room? Somewhere out there, obscured by random items? Elwin lit the oil lamps on the wall near the door, and would have opened the curtains. That is, if he could have gotten to them.


    Elwin wondered what the captain¡¯s policy was towards throwing things away. Based on the state of this front room, what should have been the shining example of what was in store for the rest of the house, he figured the policy was, don¡¯t do it.


    An old as the hills long wooden trunk called his name from beneath a pile of books and folded cloth. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was the most logical thing to start with but then again, one had to start somewhere, and he was curious what was in it.


    Elwin cleared the debris and noticed the trunk had a rusted padlock hanging from it. With a little jiggling it gave way in a crumble of fine red rust. Maybe the trunk was even older than the hills, old as the mountains maybe. Elwin smiled too himself before the sudden thought struck him, were dad jokes contagious? He was too young for dad jokes.


    This would have been a lot more fun if he was working in the same room with the prince. Prin would be excitedly leaning over his shoulder, waiting to see what kind of treasure lay within the pirate¡¯s trunk.


    Elwin briefly wondered if he was doing the right thing, maybe things that a retired pirate has under padlock should stay that way? Recalling a story from one of Prin¡¯s books, he wondered if the old man had the heads of several different wives in here. Well, he already broke the lock, there was nothing for it but to keep moving forward at this point. But believe if he found body parts he would be putting them right back where he got them from and denying he saw a thing. Elwin wasn¡¯t stupid.


    He slowly lifted the lid of the old trunk. Inside was rather anticlimactic, what looked like long thin bundles wrapped in canvas, like old ship sails. Elwin lifted the first and smallest of the bundles, it was heavier then expected with the clink of metal inside the canvas. He carefully unrolled the cloth, revealing a pile of daggers some of which had elaborate hilts.


    ¡°Nice!¡± A voice declared, from directly over his shoulder. In fact it was so close he could feel the expelled breath that came out with the word on the back of his ear.


    Elwin dropped the knives to the floor with a small unmanly scream.


    ¡°What did you do that for?¡± The person who had spoken came around to where the daggers were dropped and bent down, picking a few different ones up to examine them closer. She came back up with a dagger in each hand. ¡°The question here is, you go with the one that has the finest blade, or the one ¨C is that gold!?¡±


    The woman was tall, her heeled leather boots pushing her above Elwin himself in height, and striking. She had a mop of black hair, cut uncommonly short, especially for a woman, round eye glasses, and an absolutely wicked smile that was too wide, and a little crooked, but made her seem like great fun at parties.


    Her clothes were unusual too, tight grey pants that were tucked into her boots, and a matching grey leather vest over a pale pink shirt with ruffles and a bow at the neck.


    ¡°I can¡¯t choose.¡± She said, tucking the two daggers into her belt. She pointed at the door. ¡°You left it open and were making all this noise. I got curious.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Elwin said. Was she stealing the daggers? Was it okay? Did she even live here? Elwin was afraid to ask.


    ¡°Not much of a talker are ya?¡± She asked with a chuckle. ¡°I heard you were going to be working here for a while. Wrena is in one of her moods about it. But don¡¯t worry about her.¡± She winked at Elwin.


    ¡°Who? I mean, I¡¯m Elwin.¡± Elwin said. He felt his cheeks go hot with embarrassment. Why was this woman making him embarrassed? She was the one who snuck up on him, he hadn¡¯t done anything wrong.


    ¡°I know.¡± She said. ¡°I¡¯m Dru, or you can just call me devil like a lot of people do.¡± Dru went back toward the door, waving goodbye on her way out. ¡°I bet you wonder why?¡± She laughed. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll see each other around.¡±

 Chapter 42

    A strange slow bell like a dirge went off, drawing the people forward from far corners of the grand home towards the kitchen where wonderful smells emanated.


    Elwin and the prince met back up in the hallway. Elwin felt as though he were coated in hundred year old dust, but Prin looked happy, his eyes had an almost feverish gleam. Dust be damned, he had seen a lot of books. Probably more books than he had ever imagined seeing all in one place. Of course, Elwin knew better then to underestimate his imagination.


    Prin ran to Elwin and put his arms around him. ¡°Hi.¡± He said breathlessly.


    ¡°Hi yourself.¡± Elwin hugged him back. He couldn¡¯t help laughing softly. Prin¡¯s enthusiasm was exciting.


    ¡°The-the library is so big.¡± Prin¡¯s eyes met Elwin¡¯s in a pointed manner, driving home the importance of his words. ¡°Who knows what¡¯s in there.¡±


    ¡°Books?¡± Elwin teased.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t get any work done.¡± Prin admitted.


    ¡°I imagine not.¡± Elwin said, not particularly surprised by this admission, nor bothered by it.


    The bell stopped after eight gong like sounds.


    ¡°But I¡ª¡± Prin interrupted himself. ¡°Do you think we¡¯re supposed to go eat dinner with them? Or just go home?¡± He wondered.


    ¡°The captain did say meet in the kitchen at eight. I guess we¡¯ll eat if it¡¯s offered.¡± Elwin wasn¡¯t sure if this was proper etiquette or not, but he knew they couldn¡¯t afford to turn down free food. The memory of that pie from earlier lingered, making him wonder if the rest of the food would be its equal. Even if it was half as good it would be well worth sticking around for.


    Just then someone else left the library, the door of which they had not yet strayed far from.


    ¡°Prin? What are you doing standing around for?¡± Someone said, in a serious, slightly annoyed tone. ¡°Did you not hear the bell?¡±


    The boy who stood there, startled Elwin. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t know there were (untold) numbers of people in the house that he had yet to meet, but the appearance of this boy was somewhat . . . unexpected.


    He had a sailor suit on, all in monochromatic colorless fabrics, and carried a cane. He looked maybe twelve or thirteen, and not done growing yet, with a doll like face clearly resembling the rude girl who had locked the door on them when they first arrived. There was scarring around his eyes, as though he had been in a fight a while back with some kind of animal. And the eyes themselves had something not right about them. Too pale, and too searching in a random way but never focusing. His gaze roamed unseeing. Blind.


    Ah, was this what the captain had meant when he said ¡°too bad he can¡¯t read them¡± about his son? Elwin had at the time let the comment slip right past him, assuming the son was too young, or just never properly learned. This was sadder.


    The boy did not seem to be letting it slow him down, nor the two black cats that followed at his heels like witch¡¯s familiars, or fairies in disguise from one of Prin¡¯s fairy tale books they both grew up reading.


    ¡°We were just on our way there.¡± Prin said. ¡°This is Valor.¡± He told Elwin. Turning back to the boy he seemed at a momentary loss for how to proceed, before recovering. ¡°Standing beside me is Elwin, who came here with me to work for your father.¡±


    ¡°Ah, there are two of you.¡± Valor said, as though he should have known.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re partners. In everything.¡± Prin said boldly. ¡°A couple, do you know what I mean?¡±


    Elwin felt his heart go soggy in his chest. He sometimes worried that this wasn¡¯t how the prince felt, or at least not as much as he himself did, and it was nice to have it affirmed. Even though he wasn¡¯t sure the need to announce it to this child.


    The boy shrugged, a barely perceptible movement of his shoulders. ¡°Can you read too?¡± He asked. ¡°What are you good at?¡± His tone was impertinent and demanding.


    Elwin supposed he was the little lord of the manner, and along with his sister, used to being in charge of what went on between these four walls. Or at least, able to throw his weight around when he wanted to.


    ¡°I can read.¡± Elwin said cautiously. ¡°But I¡¯m not as good at reading aloud as Prin is.¡± He smiled at the prince. ¡°He does all the voices so well.¡±


    ¡°You have your own way about it that is very pleasing.¡± Prin said smiling at him warmly. ¡°He¡¯s read aloud to me many times when I was sick.¡±


    ¡°As far as what I¡¯m good at? I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ve figured that out yet.¡± Elwin said. He was surprised to hear himself say this, but when he thought about it, it felt true. He hadn¡¯t discovered what his best skills were yet, but he supposed on this journey with Prin, he was bound to find out.


    The prince gave him wide surprised eyes. ¡°Elwin is good at everything! He is only too modest, modest to a fault maybe.¡± He clasped Elwin¡¯s hand in his.


    Valor made a sour expression in their general direction, as though to say, do you have to be like this? Sickening. Then he started marching off in the direction of the kitchen with a sharp, hurry up, to urge them on.


    Elwin and Prin exchanged a look, but followed him, they did after all know the value of a good meal, and hadn¡¯t been paid yet.


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    The small table in the kitchen was crammed full of people when they arrived. Elwin thought it was a bit amusing to see the family who owned the house sitting in what was clearly meant to be a servant area, and forgoing most of the rooms of their house. It certainly wasn¡¯t what he was used to back at the Vulture. Of course these people weren¡¯t exactly royals and while monied certainly, they didn¡¯t seem to hold a lot of formal manners.


    The blonde girl, presumably Wrena, was sitting on the bench part of the seating. This time her yellow curls were in full glory and she was wearing a slightly scandalous low cut dress in a sea foam green color. Dru was sitting on one side of her and Captain Thompson on the other. The other side of the table had three chairs. Valor, who had arrived ahead of them, sat on one, his cane laying across his lap and the two cats under his chair lapping at gold enameled food dishes.


    A young woman sat in one of the other three chairs, although she jumped up quickly when they entered and crossed to the other side of the kitchen. She was a meek looking thing with brownish hair covered by a plain white cap, and an apron on over her plain dress. She gave the two of them a look mildly akin to horror, and Elwin wondered what she was thinking, or who she was thinking they were that made her look like that.


    Dru grinned at Elwin when they came in. ¡°Find anything else good, chief?¡±


    Elwin did not know how to respond, feeling vaguely embarrassed to have let her walk away with the daggers that belonged to Captain Thompson without putting up any kind of protest.


    Wrena glared at the two of them, she had a face meant to glare and pout. Elwin could hardly picture what it would look like without a sour expression on it.


    The spread of food on the sideboard was enough to make grown men weep. There were biscuits, roasted chicken coated with herbs and rich spices, yams with glazed nuts on top, and beans swimming in butter. There was also some bread pudding with a strong smell of cinnamon wafting up. Elwin swallowed quickly to keep from drooling.


    Suddenly Mrs. Frances came up behind them with her arms wide, sweeping them toward the two now empty chairs. ¡°Sit, boys, sit, I¡¯m about to dish out the food.¡±


    Elwin hesitated, making the realization that the remaining chairs were definitely for Mrs. Frances and her helper. ¡°We can stand, I don¡¯t want to put you out of your seats.¡± He said.


    ¡°Nonsense!¡± Captain Thompson pounded his fist on the table. ¡°There are other chairs. Guests should sit down and shut up!¡± He was clearly hungry.


    Elwin and Prin sat down, Prin in the chair beside Valor and Elwin on the other side of Prin.


    ¡°I have places to be.¡± Wrena grumped. ¡°Can I just go?¡±


    The captain patted his daughter¡¯s cheek. ¡°Plenty of time for dancing after you get your nourishment.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a child.¡± Wrena said, with the air of someone who had this argument many times before and was now just putting in the motions.


    ¡°Yes you are.¡± Her brother said, in that deadpan matter of fact way.


    Dru slid out of the bench and stood up, stretching her arms way up over her head. ¡°Welp, I better be going.¡± She went to the sideboard and helped herself to a biscuit, slathering it liberally with jam. ¡°See you later, kids. Pops.¡± She nodded and smiled particularly to the captain and patted Valor on the head, as though he himself were one of the cats.


    She disappeared through the kitchen door without waiting for any response or protest. The best way to do it.


    ¡°Dru, wait!¡± Wrena called a second to late. ¡°Why does she get to leave the table without eating!?¡± She asked, outraged.


    Mrs. Frances, and the young girl carried plates around and set them in front of the people who remained at the table. All the plates were similar to each other, except for Valor¡¯s, which had only a small piece of chicken and extra bread pudding.


    ¡°Because she¡¯s not my daughter.¡± Captain Thompson explained patiently, another argument retread again and again, by the sounds of it. ¡°And she has been through so much in her short life. My sweetness, if we restrict her too tightly she will slip through our fingers and we may never see her again.¡± A melancholy note colored his boisterous voice.


    Valor picked up the piece of chicken with his fork and sniffed it, frowning. ¡°It is disgusting to eat the flesh of animals.¡± He said, putting it back down on his plate.


    ¡°You have to keep your strength up, lovey, meat is good for you.¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°You are so pale. Furthermore, a little sun ¨C¡±


    ¡°Take this off my plate.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Druanna is my niece.¡± Captain Thompson addressed Prin and Elwin. ¡°I only found out about her last year, having not seen my darling little sister since our youth when she ran off with some ruffian never to return. Unfortunately, my sister passed away when Dru was but a tiny thing and she has had a very rough and tumultuous upbringing ever since. So forgive her lack of manners.¡±


    As odd as Elwin had found her, he didn¡¯t think her manners were that much worse than those of the rest of the family. He glanced over at Prin, who appeared to be listening keenly while stuffing his face with food.


    Elwin nodded for the captain to continue, if he had any more to say on the subject.


    ¡°Bringing her here to the bosom of our home was one of the best things I have ever done in my life.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Though she isn¡¯t used to a lot of rules and regulations, so I don¡¯t want to force them on her. Spent part of her youth at a terrible orphanage and part on the streets living by her wits.¡±


    ¡°She is a bad seed.¡± Valor said, continuing to stare sightlessly at his plate, awaiting the removal of the offending beast meat.


    ¡°Oh you¡¯re a bad seed!¡± Wrena exclaimed. ¡°And you know it. Spoiled garden snake!¡± She had been eating her meal well, but resorted to picking at her yams when her brother had begun to irritate her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak like that, pet, he is your one and only loving brother.¡± Mrs. Frances said. She reluctantly speared the chicken with a fork and removed it from Valor¡¯s plate.


    ¡°At least a garden snake is useful.¡± Valor said. ¡°Unlike yourself.¡±


    Wrena harumphed loudly.


    ¡°You see what I have to deal with in my own home!?¡± Captain Thompson said, between bites, not letting it ruin his appetite. ¡°Dru is the only one who is easy to get along with!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the only brother that I know about.¡± Wrena grumbled. ¡°I would gladly trade him for a bastard mutt if one is available. Which I¡¯m sure it is.¡±


    ¡°Alright, enough.¡± The captain said. ¡°You may go.¡±


    Wrena¡¯s face immediately transformed into a smile, pulled from nowhere. She kissed her papa on the cheek. ¡°Bye then!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t stay out past midnight.¡± Captain Thompson said.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright! I¡¯ll be with Dru.¡± Wrena said dismissively. She grabbed a short fur cloak from a hook before running out the door.


    ¡°I forgot to introduce you.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Oh well.¡± He smiled sheepishly at Elwin and Prin.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Elwin said. He finished his food and was looking forward to getting out of the chaos so that he could think with a clear head. ¡°We had better be going.¡± He said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said simply. He was looking a little tired, now that the library induced euphoria had faded and he had a full stomach.


    ¡°I¡¯ll work out your pay schedule when I see you tomorrow. Say ten o clock? We are not early risers in this house.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°Speak for yourself!¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°I am up with the sun, always have been.¡±


    ¡°Frances.¡± The captain shook his head. ¡°Ten will be sufficient.¡±


    ¡°No. Prin isn¡¯t leaving.¡± Valor said. ¡°He will stay with me. The other one can do as he likes.¡±

 Chapter 43

    The prince stared at the little lord, as the latter ate his bread pudding, clearly thinking nothing in particular about what he had just said. He just took it for granted that his declaration had only to be spoken to be honored.


    Prin knew that he had never been this way. Had he? Nah.


    Mrs. Frances and the captain both stared at the red headed boy with apprehensive looks, their eyes darting from him to Prin as though asking for his help.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± The prince asked, making his tone sweet, but not too sweet, trying to be tactful.


    ¡°What makes me say what?¡± Valor passed a little bite of something to his cat friends, perhaps not realizing that they were obligate carnivores. One of them took the bite, perhaps out of politeness.


    ¡°Say that I¡¯m staying here with you?¡± The prince said cautiously. The look on the faces of the adults in the room said that he should be treading with care.


    ¡°Because I want you to.¡± Valor said simply. ¡°There is plenty of room.¡±


    ¡°Now, angel--¡± Mrs. Frances began.


    At the same time Captain Thompson said heartily, ¡°They will be back in the morning, not to worry! I gave them a good job that will last a while.¡±


    Prin exchanged a look with Elwin, who sat haplessly scraping up the last dregs of food with his fork while watching the drama unfold. The way the captain had said that made Prin feel quite lured, and he wondered if Elwin was thinking the same thing.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t had time enough to get to know each other yet.¡± Valor said. ¡°Prin can stay at our house and save the money he may be spending to rent out a room elsewhere.¡± He said all this as though, of course, it was the most logical thing in the world.


    It was fairly sound, if one didn¡¯t take Aster into account. And the desire to stay here all night. Which Prin did not have.


    ¡°We¡¯re staying with a friend.¡± Prin said. ¡°And she¡¯s expecting us back tonight. Otherwise I would take you up on your offer of hospitality. The meal was already kind enough.¡±


    Elwin looked back and forth from Valor to Prin, while the others had their eyes firmly fixed on Valor.


    ¡°Do you not like me?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°No! That¡¯s not it.¡± The prince protested. ¡°I enjoyed our time reading together very much. But as you say, we barely know each other . . .¡±


    ¡°Who would not like you!?¡± Mrs. Frances declared. ¡°My own angel boy. What a ridiculous thing to say.¡±


    ¡°A lot of people don¡¯t.¡± Valor said plainly.


    ¡°I have an idea.¡± Captain Thompson declared. ¡°Boys, not only can you have free room and board but I will pay you extra to stay at night. You can read to Valor in the evening. It will be good for him to have the companionship of young men close to his age. What do you say?¡± He smiled encouragingly at Elwin and Prin, while casting apprehensive sideways glances at his own son.


    The prince could tell that the young man had prepared his family to accept a reign of terror from him at a moments notice, and to school their words accordingly.


    Prin would not be bullied.


    ¡°Thank you for the offer.¡± Prin said. ¡°We do appreciate it, but we have made other arrangements.¡±


    Valor took in a long shaky breath. A warning shot for whatever was about to come next.


    ¡°We can leave for tonight, but further discuss this between ourselves as far as tomorrow night goes.¡± Elwin said hurriedly. ¡°It is a very generous offer you¡¯re making, and as it is we¡¯re imposing on our friend. We¡¯ll be back in the morning to let you know our decision.¡±


    Elwin, however, was an entirely different story.


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    Prin shot him an exasperated look. He was willing to let the spoiled boy cry it out. Although he supposed if it got bad enough they may not have a job to come back to the next day.


    Valor released the breath he was holding in a sigh. ¡°Tomorrow for breakfast we should have apple tarts. Then, I will help Prin work on the library.¡± He turned his head towards the direction of Prin. ¡°I have ideas about how the books should be arranged.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you do.¡± Prin said.


    *


    Once they were finally outside, walking away rapidly lest they be called back, Elwin started to laugh. Then, he just couldn¡¯t stop.


    Prin took his hand and squeezed it, casting a concerned look at him. He clearly seemed hysterical.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if the job is worth it.¡± Elwin finally said, once he had caught his breath.


    This finally passed the contagion on to Prin and he began to laugh along with Elwin. ¡°And you ¨C You would have us there day and night!¡±


    ¡°It would be extra pay! To get us off the island sooner!¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Yes, except that arrogant boy will put me in a box and lock it so that I¡¯ll never get off the island. The only thing I could do is read aloud, from a series of increasingly bizarre books. With a cat sitting on my head.¡± The prince said. ¡°Actually on second thought, what¡¯s so bad about that?¡±


    ¡°Stop, my stomach hurts!¡± Elwin clutched his belly. ¡°Too much laughing after all that good food.¡±


    ¡°Seriously though, why would you say we would discuss it? I was satisfied with a firm refusal.¡± Prin said, sobering up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you feel for him, just a little?¡± Elwin wondered.


    ¡°Of course I do.¡± The prince said. ¡°He can¡¯t even read books! I don¡¯t know what I would do . . .¡±


    ¡°I was thinking more along the lines of him being a lonely boy, kept in a tower. Even if it¡¯s not a literal tower.¡± Elwin said thoughtfully. ¡°Don¡¯t you think his acting out is mainly frustration?¡±


    Prin was silent for a long moment as they walked along toward Mama Kris¡¯s. ¡°He has a loving family, though. It seems like they would do anything for him, to make him happy. I¡¯m not sure why he¡¯s lonely.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t understand him though.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°That¡¯s so insightful.¡± The prince said. ¡°And empathetic. I love that about you.¡±


    Elwin¡¯s cheeks turned red. ¡°I learned it from you.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you aren¡¯t the one he wants to lock in a box and throw away the key.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°True enough!¡± Elwin said, laughing again. ¡°That¡¯s why it will have to be your decision if we take them up on their offer.¡±


    Just as Prin was thinking he was already feeling comfortable here, not that he wanted to get too comfortable, they rounded the corner onto the main street and Mama Kris¡¯s place came into view with its unmistakable pinkness. And a man ran towards them on a direct collision course.


    The man had dark hair with a receding hairline and a narrow pinched little face, his eyes bulged out with terror as he ran. Prin could tell that the man was too far gone to even see them right in front of his face, so he pushed Elwin aside, the two of them practically falling over in an attempt to get out of the way.


    Two large men followed him, one of them jabbing the prince out of the way with his elbow as he went past.


    Elwin looked at Prin with wide eyes. Should they say something? Do something? Or just pretend nothing at all was happening?


    Prin didn¡¯t know how to respond to this, since he didn¡¯t even know what was happening, and besides was still recovering from the scare of almost being run over and the elbow to the ribs. He could feel a firey lick of something rise through his body, but he tried to tamp it down. Not now, not here, this didn¡¯t even involve him.


    The first man caught up with the runner and grabbed him by the back of the shirt. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    ¡°Nowhere!¡± the cowardly man said. ¡°I just gotta go home to get my wallet!¡±


    The second man stopped along side them and punched him in the stomach. ¡°You don¡¯t steal from Mama Kris. You got that? Is that what you¡¯re trying to do? Steal from Mama Kris? Did you think that was a thing that was done? Huh?¡± He was a big bruiser of a man with a face like a slab of rock and fists to match. Perfect for his position in life, in other words.


    ¡°No! I wouldn¡¯t do that! I got it. I got the money. I-I didn¡¯t expect to lose that much, I got caught up in the game. I didn¡¯t mean it!¡± The running man said, gasping for breath.


    The large man punched him again. ¡°Maybe she don¡¯t care about your money anyway. It¡¯s more the principle of the thing at this point. Right?¡±


    The other big man, still holding onto his prey by the shirt, nodded solemnly.


    ¡°No one takes what belongs to Mama Kris.¡± The stone faced man said. ¡°If you don¡¯t have the money, we¡¯ll take it out of your hide and call it even.¡±


    ¡°That was a lot of money.¡± The solemn man pointed out.


    ¡°Then we better get started.¡±


    ¡°No! No!¡± The running man, who would not be running again for a long time, if ever, cried and begged as they proceeded to take turns beating him into the cobblestone street.


    Elwin clutched Prin to him and put his hand over his eyes.


    The prince thought that was very quaint and sweet, if somewhat silly under the circumstances. He watched the man be pulverized just a few feet away from where they stood, through a gap in Elwin¡¯s fingers. Prin wondered just how much money it had been.


    The flames, the tendrils, in his stomach roiled and churned, stretching, straining, expanding. Chuckling, laughing, sighing, as they tasted the fine mist of blood that Prin breathed into his lungs. As they watched the man¡¯s head split on the rocks. What a waste of good food.

 Chapter 44

    Elwin backed away slowly, after the frenzied beating had subsided, guiding Prin with his arms around him. He tried to act casual, not draw attention to them.


    The man who had been beaten moaned and twitched on the ground, alive, but Elwin didn¡¯t see someone coming back from that. He was just finishing his business, as Elwin¡¯s mother had used to say about a butchered animal who seemed to take too long to die or struggle more than most. It¡¯s only a matter of time, son, he¡¯s just finishing his earthly business.


    Prin allowed himself to be pulled along without protest, but after stepping backwards a few feet Elwin felt his back hit something solid. He turned his head slowly around, and gave a weak smile to the person standing there.


    This time it was a woman, tall and frowning. Her hair was in a bun and her manner of dress was no nonsense pants and a jacket. She looked as though she had to be prepared to give just as much of a beating and a chase through narrow streets as any of the men, if not more so.


    ¡°Come with me, please.¡± She said.


    The prince finally reached up and removed his partners hands from his eyes. He turned around to face the woman, giving her a smile, or at least a much better approximation of one than Elwin had been able to come up with.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Prin asked her.


    ¡°I said, come with me.¡± The woman had no malice in her voice, but it was clear there was no argument to be made. She was stating a fact, and if you didn¡¯t agree to it. Well, let¡¯s just say you would be coming with her one way or the another.


    Prin and Elwin exchanged a glance. There was nothing for it but to go, hoping that the fact they had done nothing to anger Mama Kris (hopefully!?) would shield them. Even if she was angry for some reason, there was no getting away from the tall woman and the two thugs.


    The boys followed the tall woman into the pink house.


    Prin had eyes that seemed a little too eager, and Elwin could almost read the curiosity to finally meet the infamous Mama Kris in his eyes. He wondered if the prince remembered what curiosity did to the cat.


    The front of the brothel, as opposed to the kitchen entrance they had seen before, was made for company.


    The door opened directly into a large parlor, tastefully decorated in shades of pale green and pink, with gilded lamps and other d¨¦cor. There was a huge painting of ships on a stormy sea, and also a piano. It didn¡¯t actually look like a room that would be out of place in any rich person¡¯s home. It looked like a party was just gearing up, and most of the guests had yet to arrive. There was a bar counter on the opposite side of the room from the piano, with rows of bottles on a shelf behind it, ready for the choosiest client.


    There were a few girls milling around, nicely dressed, but none with the attention to detail and finery that Aster had. Elwin didn¡¯t know a whole lot about clothes but he could recognize that much, and credit where credit was do, he supposed.


    The girls looked over at Elwin and Prin with smiles, but quickly looked away and busied themselves elsewhere when they saw who was escorting them.


    ¡°Are we in trouble?¡± Prin wondered aloud, although he didn¡¯t seem afraid, merely wondering.


    Gods, I hope not. Elwin didn¡¯t speak it out loud, there didn¡¯t seem to be any point.


    The tall woman led them down a hallway. A couple of the doors were open and games tables were set out with cards and die. One of the rooms had men milling about with their drinks, perhaps feeling out the competition before the next round started.


    She led them to the end of the hall, where there was a staircase on one side and a final door on the other. The woman knocked at the door.


    There were some scuffling sounds from inside the room and a muffled laugh.


    ¡°Just a second.¡± A voice called. A moment later adding. ¡°Alright, come in.¡±


    The tall woman¡¯s face had ever so slightly soured, a barely perceptible crease of the brow, downturn at one solemn corner of her mouth.


    Elwin wondered what this meant.


    She opened the door and ushered the boys in ahead of her.


    The first thing you saw when you entered the room was a huge wooden desk, behind which sat the most fantastical creature. For a human.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The person had several waist length blond braids, and a striking face. Although not one that could be considered pretty or cute, it was attractive none the less. They sat cross legged behind the desk, wearing high heeled patent leather boots and a dapper suit of a shimmering green fabric. The shirt beneath the open jacket was a flowery silk thing with a double row of pearl buttons down the front that were currently undone.


    Elwin could not tell whether they were male or female, and not only that, but which one were they trying to present?


    The person stood up, and the height, especially with the assistance of the boots, was intimidating.


    All the attention in the room was soaked up so thoroughly and completely, that Elwin failed to notice that they passed someone on their way in. That is, until she spoke.


    ¡°Ah! It¡¯s these two again!¡± The laughing voice, friendly seeming, yet full of mocking amusement, was familiar.


    Elwin tore his eyes away from the person at the desk to look behind them.


    Lounging on a sofa by the door was none other then Devil Dru, the misbegotten niece of Captain Thompson. Her clothes were disheveled, and she was buttoning her vest while smiling broadly at them.


    ¡°You know them?¡± The person at the desk asked.


    ¡°Sure! They work for my uncle.¡± Dru said matter of factly. ¡°Freshly. As of today.¡± She stood up, not in any big hurry, and stretched.


    ¡°And he trusts them? Hey, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I have a game to get to anyway. Don¡¯t want them to start without me.¡± Dru said. ¡°Kids, see ya tomorrow.¡± She winked at Elwin and Prin. ¡°And Jules? Maybe later.¡±


    Jules made a slight sound of displeasure. ¡°If I can¡¯t keep you then.¡± They frowned at Elwin and Prin.


    And Elwin hoped they wouldn¡¯t be made to pay for spoiling the date. Not that it had been their fault they were dragged in here.


    Dru waved before casually exiting the room.


    Prin was watching her go, and Elwin really wished he knew what he was thinking. He would have to ask him later. If they even made it to later.


    Jules smiled at them, like a light switch flipping. A smile that was both beautiful and terrifying. All teeth.


    ¡°So-o, you witnessed a little disturbance out front? I would like to extend our fullest apologies for any inconvenience. And maybe some free drink coupons?¡± Jules suggested.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mama Kris?¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°Why? Do you have business with her?¡± Jules narrowed their eyes. ¡°She¡¯s out. I¡¯m in charge in her absence.¡±


    ¡°No, I just wondered.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°What were you doing here anyway?¡± Jules asked, a note of suspicion creeping into their voice. ¡°Sit down.¡± They gestured generally in the direction of chairs and the sofa, there was plenty of seating. ¡°No, don¡¯t tell me. I already know. You are the two boys who have been staying rent free in the back of our property. Aren¡¯t you? With the illustrious Aster.¡± Their voice laid emphasis on the word boys, as though disparaging their youth. There was a lot of that going around.


    Prin took a straight back wooden chair and pulled it up closer to the desk. ¡°We are!¡± He said. ¡°Aster is my friend.¡± He smiled at Jules in a friendly manner. Elwin knew he was pretending that everything was cool and fine and hunky dory. But if you didn¡¯t know Prin, and didn¡¯t know better, you might think he was just that na?ve and had no idea they were in any danger or in the presence of dangerous people.


    ¡°Your friend, huh?¡± Jules asked. ¡°Who, I wonder, told Aster that he had permission to have friends?¡±


    Elwin sat down after a stern glare from the tall lady who had escorted them, but he left the chair right where it was. He knew they had no chance of running away from here if things got bad, but he felt a little safer closer to the door.


    ¡°That¡¯s ¨C¡° Prin tilted his head to the side like a puppy. His eyes flashed, but his expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Everyone needs friends. Maybe you could use one yourself.¡±


    Jules looked startled for a moment and then laughed. ¡°Are you volunteering?¡± They leaned across the desk closer to Prin.


    Elwin had the sudden fear that this strange person was preparing to bite Prin, like a snake getting ready to strike. But, to be fair, it was more likely the other way around.


    ¡°Of course.¡± The prince said. ¡°I can never have too many.¡±


    Jules laughed again and leaned back. ¡°Just friends then, huh? Alright, I¡¯ll take your word for it. See, I like Aster. Aster is good for business. Aster is charming and the customers love him. Not only that, but he makes the others want to up their game. If you know what I mean, to compete. Aster is very, very good at what he does. I know this from personal experience.¡± He smiled at Prin, a thin smile with a cruel little edge, as though expecting this line might hurt him, and watching for it. ¡°However, Aster Rose is sneaky, conniving, volatile, demanding, vain, and spoiled. In other words, a pain in the ass.¡±


    Prin bit his lower lip, biting back whatever it was he wanted to say in a literal fashion. ¡°I think Aster is kind and generous.¡± He countered.


    ¡°Perhaps a side I have never seen.¡± Jules said dismissively. They leaned back in their chair. ¡°For some reason Mama wants to give Aster an extra long leash, keep him happy, but I disagree, I say a long leash is only for dogs that you want to see hang themselves. And who wants to see that happen to one of their favorite bitches? But it¡¯s not my decision to make. I just wanted to advise you against getting in the middle of any schemes or scandals around here. If Aster comes to you with any, bring them to me. Got it?¡±


    Prin was silent for a long moment. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine what you mean.¡±


    Jules narrowed their eyes at Prin. Assessing. They pinched the fabric of their shirt. ¡°Hey, do you like this shirt?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± Prin said agreeably. ¡°It¡¯s very pretty.¡±


    ¡°Aster made it!¡± Jules said. ¡°Talented on top of everything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen the dresses, so I¡¯m not surprised!¡± Prin said. He leaned closer to examine the shirt, now that he knew Aster had made it. ¡°You do like Aster, don¡¯t you.¡± Prin said, more of a declaration than a question.


    ¡°I already said I do.¡± Jules said. ¡°I would even say we¡¯re friends, of a sort.¡± He put his hand on the back of Prin¡¯s head and pulled him closer, until their eyes were locked. Just inches away.


    Elwin tensed in his seat, like his spine had turned into a solid steel rod firmly planted in the ground.


    ¡°However, if Aster decides to take that leash and hang himself with it, no amount of friendship, not mine, and not yours, can save him.¡± Jules said.

 Chapter 45

    ¡°We just have to help her.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin and Prin had stretched out on their blanket bed on the floor, but unlike the previous night, sleep wouldn¡¯t come. They held onto each other, wide eyed in the dark. The prince¡¯s eyes in particular picked up the sheen of every little scrap of light from under the shed¡¯s door, through its slats, as wet blue as a watery grave. All night.


    The beating they had witnessed had, of course, put an extra fine point on everything Jules had said. Leading Elwin¡¯s take on the situation to be that they should have as little to do with Mama Kris, her establishment, and Aster as humanly possible. Which he thought was a common sense take, although he wasn¡¯t all that surprised when Prin disagreed. There was nothing that could be said or done to get him to abandon his friend.


    ¡°We have to keep each other safe.¡± Elwin said softly. I have to keep you safe. ¡°We can¡¯t help others if it means we¡¯ve put ourselves in that level of danger. You saw what happened to that guy . . .¡±


    ¡°Oh, Elwin, we can¡¯t be that way.¡± Prin said. ¡°I can¡¯t live with it.¡±


    Elwin was silent. He hugged the prince close and patted his back in what he hoped was a soothing manner. Would he have to go counterproductive to Prin¡¯s wishes if it meant protecting his life?


    Finally, Aster returned. Elwin supposed it was just regular working hours for someone in that industry to stay out until three or four in the morning.


    ¡°Shhh, go back to sleep.¡± Aster said, stepping over them with her dainty red shoes.


    ¡°Aster!¡± the prince hopped up, evading Elwin¡¯s grasp, and ran to Aster. He gave her a big hug. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Aster reached up and patted his head. ¡°What¡¯s all this about, bunny?¡± She cooed. ¡°Come talk to me while I get undressed. It¡¯s been a long day.¡± She took his hand in hers and walked over to the vanity to start her nightly ritual of un-becoming.


    ¡°I was worried about you.¡± Prin said sheepishly. He sat down on the bottom edge of the bed. ¡°Is everything alright?¡±


    ¡°Come back to bed. Leave her alone.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh! You¡¯re awake too? No, it¡¯s alright. I like the company.¡± Aster said. ¡°You two seem to be in a state. I take it things didn¡¯t go well with my captain? What a shame.¡± She sighed, leaning her head on her hand, while removing ornaments from her hair with the other.


    ¡°No, that went okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°We got the job. And I think his son really likes me.¡± He made a face. ¡°Or really hates me. Who can tell.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°I have never met the son. Only the daughter. Of course she didn¡¯t know of my connection to her father but still. Isn¡¯t it too bad how the nicest people have the worst time with their children? Or maybe they ruin them with the niceness. I could never be a parent.¡±


    ¡°He offered us a place to stay in his home and I think we should take it.¡± Elwin hated to put Prin on the spot but he was pretty sure that he wasn¡¯t going to mention it at all.


    ¡°Oh? So the captain must have really taken to you. That¡¯s great!¡± Aster said.


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    ¡°No, but, I don¡¯t want. . .¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave you here.¡± Prin said. ¡°It¡¯s not safe for you here.¡±


    ¡°You silly, what are you talking about?¡± Aster placed all her jewelry in the vanity drawer and washed her face. Completing each step in order, by rote. ¡°What did happen today? If it wasn¡¯t about Captain Thompson, what was it?¡±


    Prin exchanged a look with Elwin, before telling Aster all about the beating they had witnessed, and a little about the encounter with Jules.


    Elwin wondered if Aster had ever met the captain¡¯s niece, the one family member he was really and truly curious about, but it didn¡¯t seem like the right time to interject with the question.


    ¡°The things he was saying about you, I wanted to kill him.¡± Prin said. ¡°Would that be so bad if I did? Kill him?¡±


    ¡°Who? Jules?¡± Aster stopped fixing her hair mid braid to stare at Prin in shocked confusion. ¡°Oh no, bunny! Don¡¯t say a thing like that. You aren¡¯t that kind of person, I know you don¡¯t really mean it. Did he scare you that bad?¡± She reached out to put her hand on Prin¡¯s.


    ¡°He called you a dog.¡± Prin said. ¡°A dog on a leash.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°Like I haven¡¯t been called worse. Jules is all bark, don¡¯t mind him.¡±


    ¡°How could you say that?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°They did kill a man right in front of our faces.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°But that was just business.¡± Aster said. She went back to braiding her hair. Just as though this conversation were completely common place and ordinary, nothing to get worked up over.


    ¡°Jules was abandoned in the woods by his parents as a young child. And eventually sold to a brothel. He is starved for affection. All you have to do is show him some love and he will eat out of the palm of your hand like a little bird.¡± Aster held out her open palm in demonstration. She dug around in the vanity drawer and came out with a handful of brightly wrapped sweets. ¡°Candy?¡± She offered.


    Prin took one, but clutched it in his palm, too agitated to eat. ¡°He basically said if you step out of line you will be killed.¡±


    Elwin shook his head no when offered the candy. ¡°Indirectly threatening us at the same time.¡± He said. ¡°We can¡¯t stay here any more after tonight.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t blame you.¡± Aster said. ¡°I¡¯m sure Captain Thompson has nicer accommodations anyway. What did you expect him to say though? It all comes from Mama Kris, who is his adopted mother. Not him.¡±


    Elwin was doubtful. It had certainly sounded personal.


    ¡°Where was she tonight?¡± Prin wondered. ¡°Anyway?¡±


    ¡°He wanted to meet her.¡± Elwin said. But not Elwin, he imagined her being like Jules but ten times worse, being the big boss in charge.


    ¡°Just if the opportunity came up!¡± Prin protested. ¡°I¡¯m not going to seek her out or anything.¡±


    ¡°She would be at the fortune tellers, probably.¡± Aster said. ¡°That witch I was telling you about when we first met?¡± She stood up from the vanity and shimmied out of her dress, moving past Prin to put it away in the wardrobe.


    ¡°Is she far from here?¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°Well, on the other side of the island, but not that fair really. Especially if you have a horse to carry you. She lives on the wealthy part of the island in a big house, the oldest one on the island, I think. And she works out of her home. Doing, you know, all the witchy things. Fortune telling, curses and blessings, fertility treatments, love spells, communicating with the dead. All the usual racket.¡± Aster put on her robe and sat down on the bed beside Prin, leaning sweetly against him.


    ¡°Mama Kris sees her for, what? Fortunes?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Yeah, sure, a lot of the elite of the island do. In fact people come from a lot farther than this little island to consult with Freya.¡± Aster said. ¡°They can¡¯t get enough of her . . . advice? I am guessing it must be good advice based on the important people who see her regularly.¡±


    The prince put his arm around Aster.


    Elwin was not sure what to think about the fascination that Prin had with Aster, or rather, he didn¡¯t think much of it, and was beginning to feel even worse now that the element of danger was invoked. The way that Prin looked at Aster, like something that had stepped out of one of his stories. Like, simultaneously the fairest in the land, the smartest person in the room, and also, somehow, a kitten. Elwin almost made himself laugh with this, and he did wonder if he was over thinking it by a mile.


    ¡°So, Mama Kris goes there a lot.¡± Prin said, contemplative.


    ¡°She eats all that stuff up with a spoon.¡± Aster said. ¡°It¡¯s her one weakness, well, that and maybe Jules.¡±


    ¡°Weakness?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°You would think she would be too smart for it, but no, when it comes to this witchy stuff she is completely gullible.¡±

 Chapter 46

    Prin flinched back from his friend. ¡°Gullible! I thought you said this witch was real? Then how would believing in what she does make you gullible?¡± He looked at Aster, aghast.


    ¡°Oh bunny, I don¡¯t believe in it myself but she obviously has a lot of power over people. People who should definitely know better. And if that isn¡¯t a form of magic, I don¡¯t know what is.¡± Aster said hurriedly. ¡°Plus, I could always be wrong. I don¡¯t know much about her. What makes me think I know better then all these smart people?¡±


    Prin looked somewhat mollified, but still frowning. ¡°Do you think she could help me anyway? She has to know other witches, with . . . other kinds of power.¡±


    ¡°Definitely. I would say so.¡± Aster said. ¡°Of course, getting an audience with her is not exactly easy . . . or cheap.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure fortune tellers are at all the same kind of witch we¡¯re after.¡± Elwin said. Although, who was to say what the witch¡¯s day job had been, when she ran out of princes to curse. That seemed more of a lucrative hobby, if anything.


    ¡°Did you meet her? You acted like you had.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Yes, a few times actually!¡± Aster counted off on her fingers. ¡°Two or three times she has come to see Mama Kris in her office, house calls would cost a pretty penny. I can tell you that much! And once I went with Captain Thompson to see her. I was in the outer sitting room bu-ut I couldn¡¯t help over hearing what they talked about.¡± Aster winked, as though to say the word overhearing was a bit of a stretch, or nice way to put it anyway. ¡°It was just ordinary stuff. Like about his children, and deceased sister. I believe Freya flipped over cards, or some such, to answer the questions that troubled him about his life.


    That¡¯s about it. If I had a chance to befriend her, I would certainly take it. But the opportunity hasn¡¯t really arose. She is a busy woman.¡±


    ¡°We should make an appointment.¡± Prin said solemnly.


    ¡°No offense meant, bunny, but I don¡¯t think we could afford her rates.¡± Aster said. ¡°And she also has security, which would make it hard to spring out at her and bombard her with questions. Hmm, let me think on this. Give me some time to work it out.¡± Aster taped the side of her head.


    The prince smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sure you can get us in to see her.¡±


    Aster nodded. ¡°In the meantime, if this is going to be your last night here, lets make it count shall we?¡± She got up and rummaged in the bottom of the wardrobe, coming out with a bottle and a wide grin.


    ¡°We only have so much time to sleep before we have to report to work.¡± Elwin said. He really disapproved of this, but knew he was about to be treated like the world¡¯s biggest nerd.


    ¡°We¡¯ll still see each other a lot!¡± the prince said.


    ¡°Sure we will.¡± Aster said. ¡°You have to keep me up to date on all the gossip from the captain¡¯s house!¡± She carried the bottle over, grabbing a tiny glass jar from the vanity that had previously been emptied. ¡°Hmm, this will have to do.¡±


    ¡°Captain Thompson wont care if you¡¯re late.¡± Aster assured. ¡°Come on, gorgeous, have a little fun.¡± Aster poured something from the suspicious black bottle and held it out to Elwin.


    Gorgeous? Who was she talking to? Elwin took the jar and looked at the acid-green liquid inside. He sniffed it. The smell was not quite as acrid as he thought it would be. It had a woodsy wildflower aroma.


    Elwin still vividly remembered the last time he had been coerced into drinking. He held the jar back out to Aster. ¡°No thank you.¡±


    ¡°But this is the special occasion stuff!¡± Aster¡¯s dark eyes were wide with surprise. She took the jar back from him and handed it to Prin. ¡°Here, bunny.¡±


    Prin drank it down quickly. He pulled a face and had a slight coughing fit, a couple of fat tears rolling down his cheek, but he came out of it smiling.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Aster asked. She swiped at his tears with the edge of her robe while pouring another drink. ¡°Poor darling.¡±


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    ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Prin said. ¡°That is some powerful medicine!¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°You¡¯re so funny.¡± She drank her own draught quickly. Her pupils dilated, making her eyes look even more like pools of midnight. ¡°You can¡¯t hardly get this.¡± She motioned to the bottle. ¡°I think it¡¯s . . . slightly . . . illegal.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± The dark part of Prin¡¯s eyes too, were trying to swallow the blue.


    ¡°Just slightly, no worries.¡± Aster assured.


    Elwin impulsively took the bottle and poured himself a drink. If this was poisonous, he might as well go where his prince was going. He drank it, feeling like fire was falling through his body. Like eating a bouquet of flowers and having it spontaneously combust inside your body. Fortunately, the feeling only lasted a moment.


    ¡°A little more.¡± Aster said, pouring him another one. ¡°You¡¯re heavier than we are.¡±


    Elwin drank it down, it was already too late for him after all.


    ¡°Now, lets relax and you can tell me all about your day.¡± Aster climbed onto the bed and reached up to the mantle to fill and light the burner, releasing the smoke into the air.


    Her words were doing funny things, that seemed to make logical sense, but at the same time swirl in and out and through each other. Like the decorative flourishes in an illuminated manuscript.


    Aster flopped down in the middle of the bed and motioned them closer. ¡°One on each side.¡± She suggested.


    ¡°There were two black cats.¡± Prin said, out of the blue. ¡°And at least one of them could talk.¡± He took Aster¡¯s hand and pulled her back up. ¡°Maybe it was ne-ever the boy at all. Can a bleeh blah blah bee bee witch?¡± Prin seemed to recognize that he couldn¡¯t talk, his mouth making a little o of surprise.


    ¡°Certainly.¡± Aster agreed. ¡°Did you want to dance?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± Elwin said. ¡°There¡¯s no music so we have to sing it ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Mermaids!¡± Prin declared, dissolving into a fit of giggles.


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking of sirens.¡± Aster said. She got off the bed, and holding one hand from each of them, started to hum. ¡°Do a circle.¡± She suggested. ¡°Since there are three of us. Hey, pretty boy, can you sing? How is it?¡±


    Prin did not answer this, so Elwin looked around. She couldn¡¯t be referring to him? Must be the impairment talking. ¡°I can.¡± He said solemnly. ¡°But I generally don¡¯t like to. My dad sings all the time in the kitchen.¡± He didn¡¯t know why he said he could sing, when in truth, he had so little practice at it he wasn¡¯t actually sure if he could sing or not.


    Prin took Elwin¡¯s hand with his free one. ¡°Thank ooo for playing ¡®long.¡± He said. His eyes were puddles of black with rings of light around them. Like an eclipse. You weren¡¯t supposed to look directly at an eclipse.


    Elwin kissed Prin¡¯s hand. ¡°I don¡¯t know the words.¡± He told Aster.


    ¡°We went to the forest, my bonnie babe and I.¡± Aster¡¯s singing was not the greatest, but had a soothing quality about it that was not unpleasant. ¡°Join in when you remember the words.¡± She said.


    They danced slowly in a circle, rumpling the rugs with their shuffling feet. Prin seemed to be enjoying himself, even if he did look like he was about to fall down. This is why they had to dance slow.


    ¡°We went to the forest, my bonnie babe and I.¡± Aster sang. ¡°Upon the mossy river bank, the two of us did lie.¡±


    Elwin pictured himself and Prin as the couple in the song, although he wondered if the song was about to go in a certain direction, like a lot of the songs he had heard young boys sing. It would be just like Aster to sing them a limerick.


    ¡°Into the river, he did fly. And we went for a swim, my bonnie babe and I. To the cool water, and to the blue sky, we spoke of our love that would never die. And to each other, my bonnie babe and I.


    The river sent a little fish, and the sky a little bird. And the little birdie told me, and it was no lie, that my babe was untrue, and to me unkind. So I dashed his head against the smooth stones, the river bed did line. And we washed down the river, my bonnie babe and I.¡± Aster continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I liked that.¡± Elwin pushed the images from his head. He was getting dizzy.


    ¡°No? I left out the gory parts.¡± Aster looked at Prin and started uncontrollably giggling. ¡°Did you like my singing, bunny?¡±


    ¡°S¡¯very nice.¡± Prin said. His head was bobbing on his neck like a wilted flower. ¡°Tired.¡±


    ¡°Oh dear.¡± Aster let go of Elwin¡¯s hand and took hold of Prin, guiding him over to the bed.


    Elwin looked down at his hand, still feeling the phantom touch of Aster¡¯s small one in his. ¡°It was dark.¡±


    Aster came for him next, and guided him over to the bed. ¡°Maybe you two aren¡¯t ready for the good stuff.¡± She said gently. ¡°Let¡¯s just sleep it off.¡±


    ¡°Witches!¡± Prin exclaimed, eyes shooting open where they had fallen closed. ¡°Cap¡¯ns house full of ¡®em. All with their soft fur, and . . . cute . . . little noses.¡±


    Aster tucked them in side by side, laying down beside them. ¡°Witches are very cute and furry.¡± She said agreeably.


    Somehow Elwin had found himself in the middle, but he didn¡¯t think he minded it much.


    Elwin thought he heard them chatting at some point, later in the night, but was too tired to pull himself fully out of sleep and investigate. Then, he heard Prin¡¯s voice distinctive in his ear and opened his eye a crack to see, only the glow of blue eyes in the dark, as the candle must have burned out at some point, leaving them in darkness.


    ¡°I would never eat Aster. Too small. I would be hungry again five minutes later.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin¡¯s eyes shot open, shocked by the joke, if it even was a joke, in startlingly bad taste. Gradually his lids fell heavy again and he went back to sleep, later wondering if that had all been part of a dream after all.

 Chapter 47

    Awareness came gradually to Elwin. Warmth and softness all around him, like being in a nest. The feeling of pressure on his eyelids of sunlight trying to push its way in. A sweet scent of flowers, not fresh flowers, but floral perfume, which was a different thing entirely.


    At first he couldn¡¯t move because he had no desire to move whatsoever. He was free floating, but in a cocoon, so relaxed. Yet eventually the forever slow feeling of not quite awake and still dreaming you could sleep forever, and it wouldn¡¯t be half bad if you did, was replaced by real world concerns.


    Wasn¡¯t the warmth a little too warm, after all? And his arms were pressed down on both sides, making him feel a bit stiff, needing to stretch, and even a little trapped. What If he was stuck in a spider¡¯s web and couldn¡¯t get out? Not to mention the uncomfortable pressure in his bladder.


    Elwin opened his eyes. The shed room was still encased in dusty dream-like light, although there was a sun beam coming in from a crack in the wall and hitting him directly in the face. He flinched, turning his face to the side to try and escape it.


    There was Aster, cuddled up against him, hugging his arm like it was a teddy bear. Her sweet face up turned toward his, all the artifice, all the restless hopeful scheming, all the world weary disappointment, was drained away by the relaxation of deep sleep. Maybe aided by the drugs from the night before. Elwin flinched at his own involvement in that. But at least nothing bad had happened, it was a pretty tame experience, after all. And he felt a little bad at his distrust of Aster, even if it was part of his newfound general paranoia of strangers.


    No, he felt sympathy for her now, finally, Prin was right in that she deserved better. Still, he couldn¡¯t help think that he was right in that they couldn¡¯t, and shouldn¡¯t try, to be the ones to help her get it. They were in over their heads as it was, with their own problems. Way, way over their heads.


    Thinking of his prince, he turned his head to the other side to see his face, framed by dark curls, on the pillow next to him. Mere inches away, close enough to kiss. Though the sleeping arrangement was a little awkward, Elwin had to smile. They hadn¡¯t broken their pact. And here they both were, safe (enough) and well (enough), and together (never enough, but it would have to do).


    Elwin bridged the small gap and kissed Prin on his precious lips, pursed a little already as though they were expecting it. Maybe Prin was only half asleep and thinking the same thing he was.


    The prince returned the kiss and smiled, but didn¡¯t otherwise seem inclined to move.


    ¡°Prin?¡± Elwin said softly. ¡°Do you know what time it is?¡±


    Prin didn¡¯t respond.


    Elwin felt the pull of sleep return and his eyelids were so heavy. A little more sleep couldn¡¯t hurt. There was nothing so important. . .


    ¡°After noon, maybe one o clock. There¡¯s a watch in the vanity drawer.¡± A soft, sleep strained voice came from the other side.


    Elwin felt his arm being squeezed.


    ¡°Go back asleep.¡± Aster continued. ¡°Time has no meaning.¡±


    Elwin was happy to oblige. This felt like the best rest he had in days. Suddenly, as his mind began to sail away again on a drowsy cloud, he was jolted by an unwelcome thought. Wait, maybe there was something important he was supposed to do. Something taking place in the morning which had already passed . . .


    His eyes shot completely open and he sat up. ¡°What time did you say it was?¡±


    ¡°Time has no meaning o clock.¡± Aster said. She let go of the arm she had been clinging on to and sank back into the mound of pillows. ¡°What¡¯s it matter anyway?¡±


    ¡°We were supposed to be at work at ten o clock!¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s too late for that now, maybe try again tomorrow?¡± Aster suggested.


    ¡°Prin! We have to get going.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin wiggled beside him. ¡°Not no-ow, we were just about to meet the dragons.¡± He stuck out his lower lip, clenching his eyes further shut rather than opening them.


    ¡°If we don¡¯t manage to keep this job, we wont even be able to leave this island! Then we¡¯ll never meet dragons, or anybody else for that matter.¡± Elwin said.


    That had done the trick. Prin sat up, his eyes wide, pupils mercifully returned to normal. ¡°Oh no! It¡¯s all my fault. Did I ruin everything?¡±


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    ¡°What are you talking about, bunny?¡± Aster murmured. ¡°It¡¯s only Captain Thompson, not an audience with the queen.¡±


    ¡°O-oh, he will be angry.¡± Prin said ominously.


    ¡°No he won¡¯t, just say I detained you. If it¡¯s me, he can¡¯t get mad.¡± Aster said confidently.


    ¡°Not the captain, the boy, Valor.¡± Prin said.


    After stopping briefly to gather their things and put on their boots, also wash their faces and comb their hair (at Aster¡¯s insistence.), Elwin and Prin set out for Captain Thompson¡¯s house. They brought their bags along with them, since they planned to start staying there overnight. Assuming they hadn¡¯t already been fired.


    Much to Elwin¡¯s surprise, Aster had urged the prince to keep his key, just so they would have it to fall back on if they needed somewhere to go. Prin had certainly looked relieved at this.


    They hurried along just as fast as they could without seeming suspicious, like they were running away from a robbery.


    ¡°I think we should go straight around to the back door.¡± Prin suggested.


    ¡°Yes, that was a mistake on our part yesterday, going to the front.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°How could we know that they live in a constant disaster just waiting to happen?¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Like The Vulture?¡± Elwin teased.


    The prince laughed. ¡°No, nothing is quite like The Vulture.¡±


    They had come to the house and Elwin led the way around back.


    ¡°I¡¯m nervous about this.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be okay.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Hey, what was with that song? Of Aster¡¯s?¡± Prin asked, clearly hoping to break the tension.


    ¡°I know! How weird was that?¡± Elwin said. He knocked at the back door, feeling the house was oddly, suspiciously quiet. Could there be nobody home?


    The second Elwin raised his fist to knock a second time, his guess was proven wrong as the door flew open and the servant girl was standing in the doorway.


    ¡°Just a moment.¡± She mumbled. A dark bruise bloomed on one of her cheeks. She walked quickly away, leaving the door to hang open in her wake.


    ¡°We¡¯re in trouble.¡± Prin whispered.


    ¡°Shh.¡± Elwin said.


    Mrs. Frances came to the door, her face grave, wringing her hands in her apron. ¡°Oh where have you been boys! We thought you weren¡¯t coming. And oh, oh, he has been in a state. Come on in, you might as well.¡± Her tone was hushed, as though afraid of waking a baby, as she ushered them into the kitchen. ¡°I would offer you something to eat and drink but I¡¯m in no mood for hospitality.¡± She looked at their luggage and then back up to their faces, her own face registering surprise. ¡°You¡¯re here to stay? Maybe that will make a difference, come on.¡± She took Prin by the arm and ushered him through the house.


    They left the luggage right outside the kitchen and Elwin followed them as she took Prin to the staircase.


    ¡°The bedrooms are upstairs.¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°Be careful, loves, he throws things. Got my girl square in the face with a metal cup from the breakfast tray this morning. Uncanny how a blind boy can aim his torpedoes straight for one¡¯s face! Go on up, it¡¯s the second door on the right.¡± She let go of Prin¡¯s arm, clearly not planning to accompany them.


    They could hear the low rumbling bass of the captain¡¯s voice from somewhere above.


    Elwin saw the prince take a deep breath before charging ahead, and he followed his lead.


    Captain Thompson was standing outside of a partially closed door speaking softly, or at least as softly as he was able.


    ¡°Valor, do you want another kitten? How about a cake? Would that be nice?¡± the captain sighed. ¡°A kitten cake then, I don¡¯t know. Tell me what you want, I can¡¯t help you if I don¡¯t know what you want.¡±


    He was wearing an old robe of tatty red velvet, and looked exhausted. He slumped forward in the doorway, clearly afraid to cross the threshold but unwilling to leave.


    His face broke into a tired, world weary smile when he saw them approaching. Elwin was relieved, he had thought they might see him angry. And that was not something he cared to experience.


    Elwin wondered how long this had been going on.


    ¡°Boys, boys! You¡¯re here! Better late then never I always say.¡± Captain Thompson said.


    ¡°Then we still have a job, I guess.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Yes, yes! Unless . . .¡± The captain said thoughtfully. ¡°Well, we might have to adjust the parameters, ya see.¡± He stepped back from the doorway to let them pass into the room. ¡°Prin and Elwin are here!¡± He called.


    ¡°I heard.¡± Valor¡¯s muffled voice drifted into the hallway, as shaky as an untuned musical note from a rusty instrument.


    ¡°If you can take care of him? The girl is afraid . . .¡± Captain Thompson said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone. I¡¯m not a baby.¡± The voice drifted out again.


    ¡°Of course not, of course not!¡± the captain laughed nervously.


    Prin set his face in a grim line and marched into the room, Elwin trailing behind him, ready to fend off any flying utensils with whatever large book or pot lid he could find lying about to use as a shield.


    The room was not as he had expected. It was a large bedroom lined with windows that had their curtains pulled shut. And full of green growing things on every available surface. The bed was large and full of fluffy pillows and blankets. So much so, that Valor as well as his two black cat familiars were practically lost among the bedding.


    But no, there was the boy, in the center of the bed, face down in a damp pillow. Disheveled in his wrinkled white night gown, with his rusty-blond hair sticking up around him.


    ¡°Good morning!¡± Prin chirped. ¡°Or, good afternoon. Sorry to be late, we had to pack our bags, and silly me, it¡¯s all my fault, I temporarily lost something very important in the shuffle. Elwin is here with me, I hope you don¡¯t mind, but really he is ever so good at taking care of people. Not that you need to be taken care of, or it is our job to take care of you. But he did take care of me for many years while I was sickly, so I have reason to know he is very good at it.¡±


    Elwin was not sure about this approach, but he kept his mouth shut.


    Valor rolled over on his back and sat up, his pink, tear streaked face tilting towards the sound of Prin¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to open all the curtains now, so your lovely plants can have a bit of light.¡± Prin said. ¡°Have you eaten yet? I bet not. Elwin, could you go get something nice to eat from the kitchen?¡± He mouthed silently. I¡¯ll be fine.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Elwin said reluctantly.


    He went back downstairs and got some apple tarts from Mrs. Frances, who had beamed at him proudly, as though knowing the worst of the storm was already over.

 Chapter 48

    When Elwin returned, the room was flooded with afternoon light, and the prince was sifting through outfits in Valor¡¯s closet. ¡°Everything in here is black and grey.¡± He commented. ¡°You know, just because you can¡¯t see . . .¡±


    ¡°It means everything matches, and stains from food aren¡¯t noticeable.¡± Valor said, his quiet voice hoarse.


    ¡°Actually, okay, that¡¯s very smart.¡± Prin acknowledged. He appeared to be looking for something specific, rejecting most of them in turn. He finally pulled out a soft grey shirt and black shorts. ¡°I wonder if this will do, what do you think, El?¡±


    ¡°Looks good.¡± Elwin said. A lot of the clothes were much too baby-ish for a teenager, and Prin appeared to be trying to sift for the few things that weren¡¯t.


    ¡°What did you bring?¡± Prin sniffed in Elwin¡¯s direction and came over to take an apple tart from him. ¡°Oooh, these look so good! Let¡¯s all sit down and eat one.¡± He plopped down on the bed beside Valor and patted beside him.


    Elwin didn¡¯t feel comfortable, but took Prin¡¯s lead and sat down on the bed. The feather mattress sunk beneath him, it was like sitting on a thick cloud. ¡°This is a nice bed.¡±


    Prin placed one of the tarts in Valor¡¯s hand. ¡°Were going to need our strength today.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be my assistant, remember? In the library?¡± Prin prompted. He took a big bite of his own apple tart. ¡°Mrs. Frances is a really great cook. Elwin, you should get this recipe and send it to your parents.¡±


    Best they don¡¯t know where we are, Elwin was thinking, but didn¡¯t say it.


    Valor took a small bite of his food. ¡°You don¡¯t need my help.¡±


    ¡°Sure I do! It¡¯s a total mess in there.¡± Prin said. ¡°Also, I have something of a side mission, I was hoping you could help me with.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Valor asked, taking the bait.


    Elwin relaxed enough to eat his own apple tart. The crust was perfectly flaky and the filling soft and briming with cinnamon apples. He ate it quickly but wished he had gone much slower. Maybe he really should get the recipe.


    ¡°I have to find as much information as possible on witches, wizards, magic users in general. And you know, your papa used to be a pirate, right? Which is a type of an outlaw? Just like a witch. I was thinking, maybe in his library . . .¡± Prin said.


    Valor took another nibble of his food before replying in a dead pan voice. ¡°What if I didn¡¯t know that about my father, after all, how would I? And you just revealed a family secret.¡±


    ¡°What!? It never occurred to me.¡± Prin said, blue eyes wide.


    Elwin could see the boy enjoyed messing with him, it was kind of cute.


    Valor gave a little half smile, a smirk almost. ¡°Of course he has a lot of books on magic and the supernatural in his collection. People who make their livings on the sea tend to be a superstitious lot, he always says. I even have some blank books where we can take notes. But why do you care about it? I know why I do . . .¡±


    ¡°Why do you then?¡± Prin said, cagily.


    ¡°Because if modern medicine fails you, what else do you have to fall back on? I have been making notes, well, written down for me by others, whenever there is mention of a cure for blindness in old medical books. But most of it is quackery or poison.¡± Valor said. ¡°What have I got better to do?¡±


    Prin put his hand on Valor¡¯s arm. ¡°There are a lot of things you could be doing. You¡¯re a kid, you should be having fun!¡±


    ¡°Name three fun things I am able to do.¡± Valor narrowed his pale eyes. ¡°I have nothing but time.¡±


    ¡°We-ell . . . take walks on the beach . . . talking to people . . . playing music . . . dancing.¡± Prin suggested.


    Valor made a funny noise. ¡°Pfft.¡± He crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°If I¡¯m in an unfamiliar place, I trip over things. I have zero musical talent. And, what am I supposed to do at the beach? Watch a beautiful sunset over the ocean. No. Try again.¡±


    ¡°You still have several senses left, do you not?¡± The prince said.


    Elwin could tell he was getting annoyed and sought to diffuse the situation. ¡°Do you want to get dressed?¡± He asked gently. ¡°If you raise up your arms I can assist you.¡±


    ¡°I can do it myself.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you have a companion, anyway? Or a helper? You¡¯d be so much happier with one.¡± Prin said. He smiled at Elwin.


    ¡°They never last long.¡± Valor said. Despite his protests, he raised his arms up over his head.


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    Elwin reached for his night gown to hike it up over his head, and suddenly had a surge of awkwardness. Wasn¡¯t it weird to do this for someone other then the prince? It felt uncomfortable and a little bit wrong.


    It was too late, as he had already made the offer, so he reached out, balling up the soft fabric in each hand, and pulled it up over the boy¡¯s head in one swift motion.


    Valor was not so different in build from Prin. His too thin torso had pale blue veins visible. And where Elwin¡¯s hand grazed as he put the grey shirt on him, his skin was as soft as a baby¡¯s.


    Valor never turned his quizzical face from its tilt in Prin¡¯s direction. ¡°This is Elwin, did you say?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said. ¡°But you can¡¯t have him, he¡¯s mine.¡± He winked at Elwin.


    Elwin felt the color rise in his face. He certainly wasn¡¯t going to argue the fact, though.


    ¡°Elwin.¡± Valor tested the name, his pink tongue darting out slightly over his pursed cupid¡¯s bow of a mouth. ¡°Elwin, then. What does he look like?¡± He pointed in Prin¡¯s general direction.


    ¡°You¡¯re asking me?¡± Elwin was startled.


    ¡°Who else is here?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Okay . . .¡± Elwin looked at Prin. ¡°Lets see. He¡¯s very tall. And he has black curly hair that¡¯s too long right now, but I kind of like it that way, to be honest. And he has long eyelashes, and blue, blue, blue eyes.¡± A thousand times blue. Elwin felt his description was inadequate, but that should cover the basics.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Scoot over a little.¡± Elwin shifted the boy out from under the copious blankets to put his pants on him. Like dressing a big doll. Was there some part of him that already missed this a little with Prin? Nah, he still did it just the other morning. Even though it was no longer necessary, strictly speaking.


    ¡°What does he look like?¡± He pointed towards Elwin.


    ¡°I was hoping you would ask me that.¡± Prin put his hands together in anticipation. ¡°Elwin looks like the youth who fights a lion, in those old paintings? Oh, maybe that¡¯s not the best for you . . . Elwin looks like the protagonist of a wonderful fantasy adventure novel. The fair knight. Kind, and brave, and beautiful. And strong. But the kindness and bravery are the most prevalent qualities, and cleverness. He would only rely on brute strength as a last resort.¡± He smiled triumphantly, feeling good about the description he had obviously given some thought to.


    Elwin thought he would faint from blood rushing to his head, but tried to ignore it and concentrate on doing up the tiny buttons on the front of Valor¡¯s shirt.


    ¡°That tells me very little of what he actually looks like.¡± Valor said. ¡°But it certainly does paint a picture.¡±


    ¡°Fair hair, dark eyes.¡± The prince said. ¡°And a nice physique. All the girls turn to look.¡± Prin clarified.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Valor nodded. ¡°What do I look like, then?¡±


    ¡°What do you look like?¡± Prin asked. ¡°A young man who has been weeping all day. And could really use more sun.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha.¡± Valor said sourly.


    ¡°If you¡¯re worried about your scars, you shouldn¡¯t.¡± Elwin said quickly, desperate to say anything to cover his own embarrassment. ¡°They just make you seem more interesting.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Prin said. ¡°Nanny always said scars are a roadmap of your adventures.¡±


    ¡°Adventures in mental illness.¡± Valor said. His lids were low over his pale eyes, giving him an expression somewhere between cynical and petulant.


    ¡°In fact, forget about working for now. Let¡¯s go for a walk.¡± The prince declared. ¡°You could use getting out of the house. Now, where are your shoes?¡±


    ¡°Who are you to tell me what to do?¡± Valor asked. He didn¡¯t seem mad about it, just asking.


    ¡°No one in particular.¡± Prin said with a grin. ¡°You like me though, don¡¯t you? And want to keep me around? Let¡¯s meet in the middle.¡±


    Elwin chewed on the corner of his lip, this tactic was making him very nervous, but Prin seemed to believe he knew what he was doing.


    ¡°By meet in the middle, you mean do as you say.¡± Valor said. ¡°I have never been very good at that.¡± He reached out to Prin with both hands. ¡°Let me touch you.¡±


    The prince leaned in close to Valor until their foreheads touched.


    ¡°Not that close.¡± Valor pushed him away. He ran his fingers over Prin¡¯s face thoroughly and through his hair, as though mapping his features inch my inch.


    Elwin thought this took a lot of trust, what if Valor went crazy and decided to poke Prin¡¯s eyes out? He obviously wasn¡¯t the most stable kid.


    Prin didn¡¯t seem at all worried, looking into Valor¡¯s sightless eyes and holding still for the examination.


    ¡°Are you going to just forget about what my father wants you to do, and be my assistant?¡± Valor asked. He dropped his hands back to his sides.


    Prin tilted his head to the side. ¡°No-o, I don¡¯t think so. How about I continue working for the captain but just be your friend, instead?¡±


    ¡°Is that a counteroffer? What does ¡°friend¡± entail?¡± Valor asked dryly.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re about to find out, aren¡¯t we?¡± The prince said cheerily.


    Elwin admired his optimism.


    Eventually, shoes were located and applied, along with glasses that had a round gold frame and dark pink lenses. Which succeeded in giving Valor somewhat of the appearance of an albino rabbit. But who was Elwin to judge.


    Even though Valor had paused his protesting and followed along with them up until this point, when they got to the kitchen exit, he seemed reluctant, almost scared to go outside.


    Mrs. Frances hovered nearby with a concerned expression on her face and started to say something, to which Prin put his fingers to his lips in a shh gesture, giving her a pointed look.


    Valor held the door frame with one hand and his cane in the other, as though afraid he was about to be pushed into the ocean and needed some sort of floatation device.


    The prince stood behind him with his hand on his shoulder. The two cats lingered by the kitchen table. One of them mewed a question, although whether that question was a show of concern or an ask about the whereabouts of lunch was anyone¡¯s guess.


    ¡°Come to think of it, I haven¡¯t been outside in quite a long time.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°What need does he have to go out there?¡± Mrs. Frances asked, not able to hold it in any longer. She looked, if anything, more scared than Valor himself.


    ¡°Because that¡¯s where the world is.¡± Prin said simply. ¡°Real life is out there, waiting to be experienced.¡±


    Elwin couldn¡¯t help but think of the dark side of real life, and how much of it they had already experienced in their own brief time out in the wider world. Also the streets outside this house were full of people being beaten, pirates (retired or otherwise), and ladies of the night. So, it certainly wasn¡¯t all lollipops and roses out there. Maybe the nervousness was contagious.


    ¡°How about we just walk around the yard today? A good first step.¡± Elwin suggested.


    Valor visibly relaxed, the stiffness in his shoulders easing out and his entire posture changed. ¡°Alright, but not because I can¡¯t handle a longer walk.¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Elwin assured.


    And so the three of them, with Mrs. Frances trailing along behind like an overwrought babysitter, ventured into the sun.

 Chapter 49

    ¡°Can you smell the ocean from here? Salt in the air?¡± The prince asked his young charge.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Am I about to walk into it or something?¡± Valor raised his head and sniffed the air.


    ¡°No, silly. You know you¡¯re in your own back yard.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I can show you around the back gardens!¡± Mrs. Frances suggested. ¡°The kitchen garden, and the fruit trees.¡± She took a small set of pruning clippers from her apron pocket and clipped a pink rose from one of the bushes lining the back of the house. ¡°Here, sweetness. Is this what you¡¯re smelling?¡± She put the flower in Valor¡¯s hand.


    Valor brought the rose up to his face and smelled it. ¡°The petals are soft.¡±


    ¡°There are a lot of nice things out here.¡± Prin said, encouragingly. He reached out and took Elwin¡¯s hand, just as natural as can be.


    Elwin squeezed his hand. ¡°I would love to see the gardens.¡± He said.


    They walked through the close cropped green lawn and further out to where a small fenced in kitchen garden stood beside an orchid of six miniature fruit trees.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like much. But it¡¯s enough to keep us in pies all year and then some!¡± Mrs. Frances assured.


    ¡°The sunshine is so exhausting.¡± Valor said. He had been quiet during the whole walk, moving his head slightly this way and that, as though listening to the bird calls in the trees, and other further off noises.


    Elwin was willing to bet it was the tantrum he threw earlier that had really exhausted him.


    ¡°Are you okay, darling? It¡¯s a bit cool out here, I should have made sure you put on a sweater first.¡± Mrs. Frances said.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± Prin assured.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think nice things agree with me.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Sure they do.¡± Prin said. ¡°Shall we go back inside now?¡±


    Valor turned and led the way back towards the house, with his entourage close behind him.


    ¡°After all, we wouldn¡¯t want you turning to dust and blowing away in the wind.¡± Prin said.


    Valor stopped walking for a moment and tilted his head to the side. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a vampire joke.¡± He said. ¡°Because I am so odd and my wardrobe is mostly black. Haha.¡±


    ¡°You are also very pale.¡± Prin pointed out.


    ¡°You¡¯re a bit on the white-ish side yourself.¡± Elwin pointed out. It may be his imagination, but was the prince being a little hard on Valor?


    ¡°True.¡± Prin said agreeably. ¡°I am working to correct that, though.¡±


    ¡°I prefer pigments to keep their distance.¡± Valor said dryly.


    ¡°Oh you funny boys.¡± Mrs. Frances gave a cautious laugh, as though afraid if she wasn¡¯t careful the eggshells she had been forced to walk on around the young lord would surely break. She hurried ahead of them. ¡°It is past lunch time! I will prepare some plates.¡±


    Lunch was thick sandwiches made up of meat and cheese (sans meat for Valor), and fresh bread. Along with home made pickles that Mrs. Frances was proud to announce were made according to an old family recipe. She was excited to learn that Elwin came from a family of chefs, although Elwin himself wished that Prin would not give out any personal details about their past. For obvious reasons. They would have to have a talk about that later.


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    Afterwards, while Valor was still picking at his food, Mrs. Frances showed them to a bedroom where they could store their things. She seemed relieved when they insisted on staying together in the same room. Elwin thought perhaps it was the only spare bedroom that was cleaned out and fit for habitation at the moment.


    And fit for habitation it certainly was, with a large bed that had a four post wooden frame of dark wood, and a wardrobe with a painted scene of small children herding goats up the side of the mountain, as well as a desk or vanity with a small bench to sit on.


    She insisted that any laundry they put in a pile outside of the door would be washed and hung out to dry by her assistant, and returned promptly when the sun and air had done it¡¯s work and it was dry and sweet smelling again. Elwin was not sure those clothes could ever smell nice again, and was more then a bit sorry to make the poor girl try to make them. By the look on Prin¡¯s face, he felt the same way. But it would seem to go against the etiquette of the household to insist on washing their own clothes, and they didn¡¯t want to insult Mrs. Frances.


    After they set all their sweat stained and bedraggled extra garments out in the hall, Elwin and Prin went to Captain Thompson¡¯s office to see if they could find him there.


    The captain came down the hallway towards them, as Prin was raising up his hand to knock.


    ¡°What are you sniffing around my office for? I told you that room was off limits!¡± Captain Thompson was now dressed. A nice linen shirt straining over his belly, and his pants help up by suspenders. He looked more grand dad then pirate.


    ¡°Just looking for you.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°We have to redo our negotiations.¡± Elwin said. He felt like when it came to business the captain would like to get it out of the way quickly and settled.


    ¡°That we do!¡± Captain Thompson. ¡°I heard you were staying. And I also haven¡¯t heard a peep or cry from my son since you got here. I don¡¯t know how you did it, but well done is all I¡¯ve got to say.¡± He grinned at them.


    ¡°We just treated him like a normal person.¡± Prin said. ¡°And expected him to act like one, in return.¡±


    ¡°A normal person that needs a little help.¡± Elwin added. He didn¡¯t want Prin to downplay their assistance and get them less generous pay.


    ¡°Right, sure.¡± Prin said. ¡°But he can do a lot more then what has been expected out of him. He¡¯s very smart.¡±


    Something troubled flashed in the captain¡¯s eyes, and his smile turned sheepish. ¡°We do give in to him every time he wants something, that¡¯s true. But it¡¯s not like there¡¯s no reason for it. Come on, lets sit down a minute.¡± He led them back to the sitting room they had used before, and shut the door behind them.


    Captain Thompson settled his heft into a chair and sighed. ¡°Sit down a minute, fellows, and we will discuss your pay and duties.¡±


    Elwin set cautiously on the sofa opposite the captain, but Prin remained standing, casting a look towards the closed door. ¡°It is said that blind people have excellent hearing.¡±


    ¡°Not that good, you¡¯re safe to speak.¡± The captain reassured. ¡°The door is several inches of good hardwood.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin said. ¡°I think you are doing Valor a disservice by letting him get away with bad behavior.¡±


    Elwin winced. Was it really their place to say how the captain should treat his own son? They wouldn¡¯t be here forever. And perhaps he was doing the best he could . . .


    ¡°That¡¯s very blunt!¡± The captain chuckled. ¡°I like you.¡±


    ¡°He needs to be treated as a proper young adult.¡± Prin said. ¡°With an assistant to help him, he could overcome any limitations.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± The captain said firmly. ¡°Sit down. You seem to think you have the situation completely lined up after two days.¡± He narrowed his eyes at Prin, who finally sat down meekly beside Elwin. ¡°The boy has more troubles then just not being able to see. I am fully aware that people have over come the lose of one, albeit, most important, sense.¡±


    ¡°What is it then?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°The loss of his mother?¡± Elwin winced even as he said it. He didn¡¯t feel it was their place to get personal, but here he was, already in it.


    ¡°That¡¯s part of it.¡± The captain said. ¡°Though he was very young at the time, and old Frances is about the closest thing to a mother he has ever known. Listen, lean in here close.¡± He leaned towards them, his long red beard reaching forward as though with a mind of its own.


    Prin leaned in, further narrowing the gap between them.


    ¡°Can I tell you a secret? No one else is to know this, not even Rose. Got it? For some reason I trust you boys. And if it would help you understand Val better . . .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± Prin said softly. ¡°We both are.¡±


    Captain Thompson took a deep breath. ¡°As long as you know I¡¯m not the type of person who¡¯s trust you betray.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Prin said, without hesitation.


    Captain Thompson spoke the next sentence without a pause between words, in one long swoosh as though anxious to be rid of it and exhale it into the atmosphere far away from where he was sitting. ¡°Valor is cursed and it¡¯s all my fault.¡±

 Chapter 50

    ¡°Cursed!?¡± Prin¡¯s eyes went as wide as full moons, in an expression that the captain clearly interpreted as dismayed shock, but in fact was more akin to eager fascination. So he wasn¡¯t the only one. It¡¯s not like he truly suspected he was, but to have confirmation. What if it was somehow the same witch?


    Captain Thompson shot him an apologetic look. ¡°I know how this must sound boys, but trust me, I am no crack pot.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t think you were.¡± Elwin assured.


    Captain Thompson leaned back in his chair and sighed with his whole body. ¡°I have done a lot of bad things, a lot. Even while most of my youngers I went around with my head held up, thinking I had some kind of moral code. That made me superior, or something, to my peers.¡± He snorted loudly. ¡°You can¡¯t have morals and be in the . . . line of work I was in, if you know what I mean.¡± He suddenly got up and went to the door, opening it and peeking out into the hallway. When he saw that the coast was clear, he closed and locked it before sitting back down.


    ¡°I have barely told anyone about this, Valor himself does not know, even though it is pertinent to his whole life.¡± He looked at Prin and Elwin in turn. ¡°I thought about telling him many times, but I wasn¡¯t sure if it was the best thing to do. Or if he was ready for it.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t tell anyone.¡± The prince said quickly. He looked at Elwin. ¡°Right?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Although, if you don¡¯t feel comfortable . . . I mean, everyone has their secrets . . . for a reason . . .¡±


    Prin bumped his knee into Elwin¡¯s, wishing he would shut up. He had to hear this story. ¡°No, please, I would like to hear it.¡± He said, hoping it was the right thing to say, and wouldn¡¯t serve to convince the captain he was about to make a mistake. Wouldn¡¯t do to seem too eager. Though he was. Maybe he could even tell Captain Thompson a (modified) version of his own curse story in exchange? If it seemed appropriate.


    Captain Thompson settled into his seat. ¡°I suppose, what can it hurt?¡± He threw up his hands in an elaborate shrug.


    The prince thought he wanted to tell it, even though he feigned indifference. Maybe it was something he had wanted to talk about for a long time? Or maybe he was just someone who relished telling a story.


    ¡°We have to start with, I was not always as you see me.¡± He half laughed- half coughed, patting his round belly. ¡°Back in the day I was quite something to look at. My hair curly and long-ish, my figure lean and posture very straight. Extravagant clothes. You might even say I was a bit of a dandy. And I knew it too. I relished the attention I got from people.


    I think there is a portrait around here somewhere? I¡¯m not sure . . . Eh, it¡¯ll turn up. You¡¯ll see what I mean.


    I was a very accomplished . . . sailor, as well. Plenty of money and fine things to spread around.


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    Suffice to say I had a lover in every port, maybe two or three.¡± He laughed again. ¡°Boy did I have a lot of energy! Oh, to steal back a portion of it now from my wasteful younger self, ya¡¯know?


    Anyway, so, lots of lovers, but I was up front with all of them, or at least any that attempted to get too serious.


    I was not the marrying type. Period. Or at least, so I thought then. But I didn¡¯t realize I was wrong about that particular notion until much later.


    And, not only that, but in my, er, business fortunes rise and fall, people die young. I could not be relied on to support them financially or even guarantee my continuous return. Do you know what I mean? Some random day it would be the last time they ever saw me, and there was no telling when that might be.


    So, I thought, with the standard disclaimer I was being square with my own moral compass. I slept well at night, anyway. Even if it was in the arms of someone different each night . . .


    There was a lady, well, a lady she was not, but a beautiful young woman, in a provincial island town where we would stop a couple of times a year for refueling and a bit of a vacation, to rediscover our land legs, and all of that. She was . . . remarkable. Strong, talented, striking to look at. Stood out from the locals like an orchid in Antarctica.


    She tried to put her natural brains and talents to good use, treating people for medical ailments, serving as a midwife, mixing concoctions that could improve your luck, or your finances, maybe . . . help you ruin the lives of your enemies, for an appropriate price.


    You will find someone who does similar in a lot of small towns? Not like her though, not like her . . .


    I suppose she had what you would call natural inborn talent for witchery.


    In fact, that¡¯s how we first met. I came to her for . . . Eh, a story for another day I guess.


    So, we became close. Very close. But I still had to leave her when the boat was ready to launch. The ship sails with or withoutcha, that¡¯s the way it goes. And I could never see me sticking around in that small town. And, what? Pick fruit?¡± He laughed. ¡°Still, I was always eager to return and see her again when the time came.


    A couple of years after we first met, I arrived at the island and I took the, rather arduous, I couldn¡¯t do it these days, walk to her house in the woods. She wasn¡¯t there. I waited around with her dog for a while, as it looked like she hadn¡¯t been gone long and would be returning.


    It started to get dark and I was getting worried, or maybe more like just impatient, she wasn¡¯t the type you had to worry about. She could take care of herself. So, me and the dog went looking for her. See, I figured the dog would lead me to her? And I was right.


    When we finally found her she was in the ocean, walking naked towards the shore, towards me, with a smile I could just barely make out in the moonlight. And a huge pregnant belly that couldn¡¯t be missed.


    I just knew, without her even telling me, that the child was mine. Plus the timing added up, it had been just about nine months since I had last visited her.


    She told me that it would be a girl, and a child full of blessings. That the fae who lived in the woods had told her this, and she had decided she must keep the child.


    To her credit, she never asked me to stay. Maybe she didn¡¯t even want me to. But still, I was relieved to be on my way without having to witness the birth. That is young people thinking right there.¡± He shook his head at his own foolishness.


    ¡°I say all this, like I wasn¡¯t interested in having a baby, but I loaded up with gifts and glories for my little girl in the six months it took me to make it back to the island. I had gold and silver, and jewelry and fine cloth, as well as the kinds of things I imagined a baby would like, small toys, ivory rattles, and blankets made of the softest wool. Those kinds of things.


    As it happened, while I was away, two things of great importance happened, instead of one. My baby girl was born, and a hurricane hit the island wiping out a quarter of its inhabitants.¡±

 Chapter 51

    The prince was literally on the edge of his seat, leaning forward to get the most out of the captain¡¯s tale. He had no idea where it was going, but after the death of a quarter of the island¡¯s people, he knew it was nowhere good.


    ¡°Did- Did the witch and her baby die?¡± Prin asked.


    He could feel Elwin looking at him sideways and knew what he had asked may not be polite, but at the moment he didn¡¯t even care.


    ¡°No, nothing like that. She was safe enough inland. Had a lot of fallen trees and the like, but the hurricane left her home intact. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she had her own ways of affording herself protection from . . . forces of nature. Or she may have stayed with her forest friends.¡± The captain said thoughtfully. ¡°However, when we got back there, the devastation was still obvious to see, although the work of putting the town back together was well under way.


    Even though the physical damage was being righted, and the goodbyes had been said, funerals had been had, the entire feeling of the place had begun to shift.


    When our ship landed, instead of being greeted with flowers and treats from the local tourism board (we were good for the economy, you see. And by and large never caused any trouble), we were greeted with cold stairs and unfriendly demeaners.


    I didn¡¯t care what any of them thought, anyway. Things like that don¡¯t bother me much right now, let alone back then.


    Anyway, I had to rent a horse and cart just to carry all of the presents, as well as foods I picked up in the village. I even brought a flop eared baby goat, hoping that it would delight the little girl. Black and white, it was. I looked them all over carefully to choose the cutest.¡± Captain Thompson laughed at himself.


    ¡°It was a wonderful visit, boys. I hope some day you may know what it¡¯s like to be fathers. There is nothing like it on earth. We took to each other just like that.¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°And I even flattered myself into imaging there was a family resemblance.¡± The captain smiled at the memory. ¡°She was a plump and happy little thing, just like you want ¡®em to be. Oh, Wrena was a squalling, skinny little mess! My gods, she could scream until she turned purple, and you would stick handkerchiefs in your ears just to dull it down a little. Come to think of it, she has still not stopped complaining. But I digress. This baby, my first as far as I know, was a real pip. Almandine, her mother called her. After a red stone used in jewelry, ya see.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a pretty name.¡± Prin said, his voice gently encouraging.


    ¡°I thought so too.¡± The captain said. ¡°I guess I felt a little bit of what it¡¯s like to fall in love. Boy, am I corny! It¡¯s just not a feeling I had ever allowed myself. But with a baby . . . it feels safe. You know what I mean? It feels warm, like it will last forever, and never be rejected. I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Elwin reached out to hold Prin¡¯s hand, and Prin knew what he meant by that.


    ¡°The time came all to quickly when I had to be on my way again, with promises to return as soon as possible.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°In fact, just a few months later I took an opportunity to hitch a ride back to the island all on my own. Because I just couldn¡¯t stay away a moment longer.


    I knew I was missing out on the baby part of her life, if I didn¡¯t watch it would all pass by me in the blink of an eye and I would come back to a little adult.¡± He chuckled. ¡°I didn¡¯t know then how long it actually takes to raise them up. I guess I still don¡¯t know that, since I haven¡¯t yet successfully managed it.¡±


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    ¡°You seem to be doing a fine job.¡± Prin said. He wasn¡¯t sure himself if he was deliberately lying or just trying to sugar coat it to be polite. But it did seem like the captain loved his kids and was trying to do the best he could, and that was worth a lot.


    ¡°You think? It¡¯s hard to be a single father even though I did still have a lot of help.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°No one¡¯s parents are perfect.¡± Elwin said. He was probably thinking of his own when he said it, but he looked over at Prin with an apologetic face, as though remembering that ¡°not perfect¡± was a vast understatement when it came to some people¡¯s parents.


    Captain Thompson waved his hand at them dismissively. ¡°This is true, most of them are terrible. Just talk to a random assortment of people you meet, they¡¯ll tell you.


    Anyway, we¡¯re going off topic and I¡¯m sure Valor will not be kept waiting much longer, so I had better get on with it.


    When I returned to the island, the attitude was downright hostile! I was told that they were dismantling the larger of the two docks, the one designated for larger ships and tourists, so there was no point ever coming back again. This would be the last time.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what to make of that but rest assured, I believed myself more then capable of coming and going from wherever the hell I wanted to be.


    I hurried to see my lady of the woods and glorious first-born offspring, and when I got there, Almandine was already trying to walk. Time does really fly, especially with kids.


    It was another wonderful visit, although I could sense that she was very tense, that she was holding something back. But I was too focused on the baby to press the issue.


    A week or so later, when it was finally time for me to leave or lose the chance of catching up to my ship entirely, she took me aside. There was a look on her face I had never seen before and tears in her eyes. I¡¯ll never forget it, boys.¡± The captain shook his head, looking away as though he couldn¡¯t stand to meet their eyes for the next part.


    ¡°She told me a story that I couldn¡¯t bring myself to believe, and there was my big, horrible mistake. There was my hubris.


    She told me that the villagers had turned on her, blaming her, as well as all outsiders in general, for everything ill that had befallen them. Specifically, the hurricane which wiped out not only so many of their friends and loved ones, but fishing vessels, homes and businesses, orchards full of fruit. The works. They thought she had cursed them. Although why on earth she would curse them on masse, the gods only know.


    Then she got to the part I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around. She told me that her fae contacts had told her that Almandine would be killed by the villagers. And that I must take her away with me. Far away over the ocean, to avoid her fate.


    I could not figure out why she had waited until now to tell me this. Honestly, I thought she was playing at some kind of game. Not that it would have been like her.


    I laughed. I can¡¯t believe it, when I saw the look on her face, that I would dare to react so, but maybe it was half in shock, and fear? It¡¯s the only explanation. Also, being young and stupid, and invincible, I didn¡¯t believe supernatural forces could have any real impact on the lives of mortal men and women. And babies.


    Obviously, I refused. I couldn¡¯t take care of a baby! And certainly could not take her with me on a pir¡ªsailing vessel. One I was not yet even the captain of! I may have ¨C No, I certainly said, in jest, that women weren¡¯t allowed to sail with us, that it was bad luck. Even tiny ones. And that had she been a boy I could have taken her with and put her to work as the cabin boy.


    If only I could take back my words! If I couldn¡¯t take back my actions, I could at least take back that I said ¡®if only she were a boy¡¯!


    It gave the witchy woman the impression that I would have loved Almandine more, enough to sacrifice what was really the only livelihood I had ever known, and something I was truly good at, if she were a boy instead of a girl. Which I swear to you, and to all the gods, is not even true!


    My reaction of foolish dismissive disbelief would have been no different.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Her scathing expression told me I had misplayed my hand entirely. I offered to get her off the island, and pay for passage for her and the baby anywhere she wanted to go. But I didn¡¯t really expect her to take me up on it. Since I still half thought of the whole thing as a joke. And, she didn¡¯t.


    It was the last time I would ever see baby Almandine. Alive, anyway.¡±

 Chapter 52

    Elwin gasped. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡±


    Prin leaned farther forward. ¡°Does that mean you saw her . . . not alive?¡±


    ¡°I did.¡± Captain Thompson said, followed by a long moment of silence. ¡°I eventually made my way back there. That last conversation I had with her did bother me, now and again. Especially late at night. But there were so many things . . . and I was easily distracted.


    Of course I comforted myself with the thoughts that everything would have blown over, haha, regarding the big storm, by now.


    It was near on a year later, and at first it did seem that my predictions had come true. The villagers, with their rebuilt shops and tentative friendliness seemed sheepish. They acted as though a weight had been lifted. One even directly told me that I should bring the rest of the men back with me next time, like we used to do.


    Just as though a year before they hadn¡¯t told me not to come back.


    I tried to be polite, because I was relieved as well. And after all, I figured I would be spending a lot of time on this island over the years, with my daughter. And maybe even retire there some day, in the far future. Of course, that would be if I made it to old.¡± He laughed. ¡°I never tried to make too many plans in that direction, not trying to count on it. Not back then anyway . . .¡±


    So I hurried out of town to see my family. I remembered she had been very angry with me last time, but I figured now that things were returning to normal, we could have a good laugh about the whole thing!


    I brought gifts and feasting supplies, to further sweeten the mood. Ya¡¯know?


    I have never, to this day, had that feeling again. That everything would be alright. Because after that day, everything never was alright for me, ever again.


    Oh don¡¯t look at me like that, young ones. I¡¯ve had happy days, and good times aplenty since then.


    You know what I mean, that feeling of being assured a future? Eh, you will someday.¡± He waved his hands. ¡°Never mind. I¡¯m just being a dramatic old fool. I will have another good day today, as a matter of fact, because today is one of the days I see Rose.¡± He winked. His expression changed again quickly, and he lost his joviality. ¡°Where was I? How long have we been talking?¡±


    ¡°Not long.¡± The prince said, even though he had not been keeping track and had no idea how long it had actually been.


    ¡°I suppose I can¡¯t stop here, leave y¡¯all hanging.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t even gotten to the curse!¡± Prin, at this point, absolutely must have the end of this story, without delay. It was so good that he almost forgot it was a true story.


    ¡°Right, right. It¡¯s coming.¡± The captain said darkly. ¡°Very shortly. But first, let me tell you about the time a giant whale attacked the ship ¨C I¡¯m kidding, I¡¯m kidding!¡± He laughed at the little noise of frustration Prin let out.


    ¡°So, when I got to the house in the woods, it had been burned to the ground. And not recently by the looks of it. There was no sign that anyone had returned after the fire, not that there would have been much to salvage. Not after that.


    I sunk to my knees, momentarily blinded by disbelief. How could this have happened? I figured they had both perished in the fire. Just as my denial was melting into a slow burning grief, a familiar whiskered snout peeked out from behind a tree. It was her dog. All black hound dog, she was, but for a small white dot on her forehead. I¡¯d say just unusual enough to be difficult to mistake for another.


    I wondered if the poor pup was hungry, if anyone was taking care of her. So I called her over, but she wouldn¡¯t come to me. Just kept looking at me and wagging and dancing to the side. It doesn¡¯t take some kind of expert to know that she wanted me to foller her.


    I never gave a thought to getting lost in the forest. It just didn¡¯t occur to me as a thing to worry about, being much more accustomed to the perils of the actual sea, not a sea of trees.


    I followed the hound where she led, followed her until it got too dark outside to see her. Black as night itself she was. She had to come back and take my hand in her mouth.


    Luckily there wasn¡¯t too much farther to go.


    The first tip off that we were on the edge of a swamp was when I sunk halfway to my knee in the muck. The trees had thinned out and there were fireflies, or some kind of small glowing things of a flying variety, like little embers, in the air. After my eyes adjusted I could see well enough to see there was a floating platform with a small cabin, little more than a shack built on top.


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    The dog led me across a rickety board that served as a bridge over the swamp water and onto the platform. I don¡¯t know why, but I just kept following.


    I could hear each step, clomp, clomp. There was nothing I could do to conceal my approach. Whoever was in that shack was going to know someone was coming.¡± The captain seemed to be getting really into his own story, locking eyes with Prin, his rapt audience, as his voice rose and fell to emphasize the creepy parts. As though, at this point even he had forgotten this was a true story. One that ends in personal tragedy.


    ¡°There was a fire burning in the shack, the smoke exiting through a thin pipe, it was the only source of light. When I went to the open doorway, it was hard for me to even make out what I was seeing in the flashing flame and shadow, do you know what I mean?


    But, there was my lover, my witch woman. She looked like she had aged a decade in the last year, and she was hunched over. She called the dog to her side and rubbed its head. The way she moved, and carried herself, you could tell she had been badly injured, bones had healed improperly. Mangled and twisted.


    I must have stood in the doorway silently for a small eternity before mustering the words.


    ¡®Why didn¡¯t you leave?¡¯


    I knew something terrible had happened. What I couldn¡¯t fathom was why she was still there.


    Her answer chilled me to the bone.


    ¡®I was waiting for you to return¡¯. Captain Thompson shuddered. ¡°I¡¯ve already gone this far. Let¡¯s get through this next part quickly.¡±


    ¡°No, take your time.¡± The prince said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get on with it.¡± The captain said. ¡°She told me that the villagers had come to her house to kill her and they put in a good effort at it before burning her house to the ground. She tried to get Almandine out but her broken body wouldn¡¯t cooperate, and the babe had died before she could get to her.


    She said all this coldly, without emotion. Though there was something in her eyes when she met mine, like a flint arrowhead, like an ice chip.


    As the culmination to the story, she went to the corner of the room and pulled a blanket off of a glass box, one I had given her in the past I believe, but that¡¯s neither here nor there.


    There was little Almandine. Her face was mottled, dark with death, but plenty recognizable. Still sweet.¡± The captain¡¯s voice cracked.


    Elwin put his hand hard on Prin¡¯s knee, almost a rebuke. ¡°We¡¯re so sorry for your loss. And sorry for making you talk about it. You don¡¯t have to continue.¡±


    Prin shot him a look. Why would he be trying to stop him now? They were almost to the curse.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t make me do anything, remember? I wanted to tell you about it.¡± The captain assured. ¡°It was a very long time ago. Close to forty years. It¡¯s okay.


    She told me, you could have prevented this. It¡¯s your fault she¡¯s dead. If the child was a boy, you would have taken him with you.


    I tried to protest, to tell her I couldn¡¯t have loved her baby any better. I loved her as much as I was capable. And I was sorry.


    She refused to hear me. She put up her hand, and I could no longer speak. The words I wanted to say were stuck in my throat.


    She said there was no point in killing me. That she had considered it, but there were worse fates. Death was easy.


    She said she had been working on something just for me, and that she wanted me to know about it. So that when it came, I would not forget who had sent it. And that it was all my fault.


    The witch woman said that someday I would finally have my precious son, and when I did he would be the most unlucky and wretched boy. And that none of my money could buy him out of it.¡± The captain¡¯s cheeks were flushed, and he finally released his lock on Prin¡¯s eyes and looked at the ground. ¡°That was all she said, she didn¡¯t go into any details. But at this point, its obvious that it was a rather potent spell.¡±


    The prince frowned. ¡°Lots of people go blind though. I have heard there are even special schools they can go to . . .¡±


    Elwin shot him a look. ¡°I think what Prin is trying to say is, how do you know the curse did anything at all?¡±


    Prin nodded. ¡°What if it was just . . . mind games?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± The captain said. ¡°His mother died when he was a baby. And every wet nurse and nanny goat we tried to procure milk from, the milk caused him to break out all over with painful hives.


    Then, when he was still small, he caught every fever inducing childhood illness there was to catch. His sister caught none. The doctor said the high fevers were the beginning of the vision loss.


    I bought him a guide dog, that is supposed to help the blind. It died of a freak accident. This happened three times.


    Valor was chasing his sister, when he was small and still had some ability to see. And he fell in a well. Took seven days to get him out.¡±


    Prin could feel his eyebrows raising up into his hairline, a glance over at Elwin showed he was feeling much the same.


    ¡°His pony went insane, or contracted rabies, we aren¡¯t completely sure. It had to be put down.


    Every bumble bee he passes by sacrifices its life to sting him. Every snake, to bite him. Luckily we don¡¯t have venomous snakes on the island.


    I¡¯m probably forgetting some things, but that¡¯s . . .¡±


    ¡°Still . . .¡± Elwin said cautiously. ¡°He could be just . . . Sickly and regular unlucky, versus cursed unlucky.¡± His voice didn¡¯t sound very sure of this.


    ¡°Valor has been struck by lightning twice.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°Damn the gods.¡± Prin said softly. ¡°He is definitely cursed.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think that was even possible.¡± Elwin said in awe.


    ¡°Oh, its definitely possible.¡± Captain Thompson assured. ¡°One more thing, any servant hired especially for him? Either disappears under mysterious circumstances, or simply quits abruptly. So, that¡¯s why the two of you work for me, not for Valor.¡± He winked.


    ¡°We have to definitely renegotiate the terms of our employment.¡± Elwin said gravely. ¡°Big time.¡±


    ¡°I figured you would say that.¡± The captain said.

 Chapter 53

    ¡°We have to tell him.¡± The prince declared.


    Once they were back in the hall of the captain¡¯s house, after negotiations wherein they got everything they asked for without having to invoke Aster¡¯s name to her smitten client, even once, Prin was clearly fired up.


    It wasn¡¯t exactly the reaction Elwin had to the whole story. He was more of the mind they should have also asked for hazard pay, just to be in the boy¡¯s very unlucky orbit, but he hadn¡¯t wanted to be greedy, the raise in pay and time off any time they asked for it would have to do, for now. Though he had a feeling if things went well with Valor, the sky was the limit on favors that could be asked from the sentimental old captain.


    ¡°What?¡± He asked.


    Prin¡¯s eyes were shiny bright as holiday ornaments, and he could barely conceal his expression of excitedly working out a puzzle. ¡°About the curse! I mean, I have a feeling he might know, or heavily suspect. But on the other hand, what if he doesn¡¯t? How can you break free of something that you don¡¯t even know is weighing you down?¡±


    When had Prin become so reckless? So . . . insensitive? Although Elwin was sure he didn¡¯t mean it, as no one had a kinder heart then his prince. The way he had talked to the captain while he was telling the story of his daughter¡¯s death had not been the best, though the captain seemed to take it in stride, being a blunt man himself. ¡°We can¡¯t do any such thing. Remember, we promised the captain? In no uncertain terms? And so far we have only ever seen his good side, I would hate to be visited by the other.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, maybe we have to get his father to tell him then.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin snorted. ¡°If getting hit by lightning. Twice. Didn¡¯t move him to talk about it, what would make him do it now?¡±


    ¡°Me.¡± The prince grinned. ¡°Okay, alright, I¡¯ll work it out without getting us in trouble.¡± He took Elwin¡¯s hand and squeezed it. ¡°Maybe we can somehow help each other, Valor and I, as one very cursed guy to another.¡± He laughed. ¡°I know it sounds funny. I do understand him better. I mean, anyone would have full on nervous breakdowns after what he¡¯s been through.¡±


    Elwin squeezed Prin¡¯s hand in return and brought it to his lips for a kiss. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot too. Even more . . .¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a competition.¡± Prin protested. ¡°And I still feel sorry for him.¡±


    Elwin split from the prince and went back to the front entrance mess. Based on their conversation with the captain, he wondered if he really cared about straightening up the mess after all, or if they were more there for the entertainment of his son. Still, the mess was bad enough to constitute some kind of fire hazard. And wouldn¡¯t it definitely make it harder for Valor to navigate in most of these rooms?


    Elwin decided to keep trying to work on it, he would just make himself available to Prin and Valor as needed, and not feel bad about it distracting him from his tasks.


    The room had shelves lining at least one of the walls, although they were impossible to get to at the moment. After thinking over his strategy, it seemed like clearing the center of the room, to make a good walk way, and beginning to pile things that seemed like they should be trash all together in one area, would be good things to start with. He would ask Mrs. Frances to approve the trash before throwing it away, as it seemed like she would be more liberal about throwing stuff out then Captain Thompson.


    After a while, Elwin got into the work and began to lose track of time. Finally, he had to go to the bathroom, and figured it was time to go check on the others anyway. He stood up and stretched. The trash pile was growing, he saw with satisfaction. Mostly, the decrepit remains of old boxes and sacks he had unpacked, as well as some mouse chewed old clothes and books and pamphlets in even worse condition.


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    Elwin went out to find the bathroom. As he passed by the stairway, the sound of an angry female voice drifted down to him, and the footsteps that the voice accompanied told him someone was coming down the stairs. He didn¡¯t know why he did it, what impulse would compel him, but Elwin went back into the front room and closed the door almost all the way, hiding out of sight behind it.


    As the voice got closer, the unmistakable tones of Wrena¡¯s voice (sort of like nails on blackboard, but not quite. Somehow worse.) became obvious.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t understand why you ditched me last night!¡± Wrena whined.


    ¡°Look, you¡¯re a grown woman. Weren¡¯t you just fine?¡± Dru answered. Her flippant tone unchanged, unbothered by annoyance or anger. ¡°Those kinds of parties aren¡¯t really for me anyway. It¡¯s more of a you thing.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s where I told papa I was going to go.¡± Wrena said, voice wretched. ¡°I couldn¡¯t exactly leave. . .¡±


    The two of them passed by where Elwin was hiding, just in time for him to catch a glimpse of Dru pulling the girl close. Wrapping her arms around her in a hug from behind.


    Wrena tensed up and then sighed, sinking into the hug. ¡°Why would I want to be there without you anyway?¡± She sniveled.


    ¡°To network with other rich people? You never know when it will come in handy. Who you know and all that, blah blah blah.¡± Dru said. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m sorry if you were lonely.¡± She nuzzled her face into the other girl¡¯s blond curls.


    Wrena¡¯s face turned pink. ¡°I was. Lonely and bored. But it¡¯s okay. . .¡± She sighed.


    ¡°In the future, you don¡¯t have to do everything your papa expects you to do.¡± Dru pointed out. ¡°You can go wherever you want to go, do whatever you want to do. That¡¯s freedom, babe. All you have to do is reach out and take it.¡±


    Wrena squiggled around to face Dru and playfully pushed her away. ¡°Shows what you know!¡± She said.


    She hurried off down the hall, with Dru following her in an unhurried manner. ¡°Yep, shows what I know.¡± She said to herself.


    Elwin¡¯s mind tried to make sense of what he had just seen. What was the nature of their relationship?


    There was definitely something off about that Dru. Devil indeed. He had already started to feel a little protective over this family, and it seemed like he should find out more about this recently discovered niece.


    Meanwhile, when the prince returned to Valor, he found the boy asleep at the kitchen table.


    ¡°Poor tyke, I thought I¡¯d just let him sleep.¡± Mrs. Frances said in hushed tones. ¡°He¡¯s had a rough morning after all.¡±


    Prin tilted his head to the side, taking in the view of, possibly, the unluckiest kid alive, sitting with his head leaned back against the wall, eyes closed behind the pink sunglasses that crooked to the left, mouth gaped open slightly. Prin¡¯s heart had softened enough that he could now see him as kind of cute. While he was sleeping anyway.


    Was he really as unlucky as one could possibly be? He still had some things going for him after all. Did unlucky things happen to him inside of this house? Or only outside of it? Did the curse prevent any of the events from actually killing him? Were most of them indirect? How many of the incidents happened in the presence of his father? All of them? None?


    The prince resolved to work out the boundaries of the curse. What were the rules? And how could they be broken.


    The longer haired black cat twined around Prin¡¯s feet, purring.


    ¡°Aww they like you!¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°They hardly take to anyone beyond their young master.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s her name?¡± Prin reached down and patted the soft fur of the cat.


    ¡°That one is Clementine, and the other one is Blackberry.¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°Originally they were supposed to be my mousers, but I¡¯m not so sure they catch any mice.¡± She chuckled. ¡°I know some say black cats are bad luck, but I say, bad luck? What¡¯s a little more to the mix, who would notice?¡±


    The prince couldn¡¯t remember if Captain Thompson had said that Mrs. Frances knew about the curse. But he knew she knew. She definitely knew.


    ¡°That bad, huh?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Oh, no no no, what? Everything¡¯s fine!¡± Mrs. Frances laughed. ¡°Do you want a piece of cake?¡± She backed away nervously, clearly wondering if she had said to much.


    Valor twitched but didn¡¯t awaken. He did remind Prin of a cat, no wonder he got along with them so well.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± The prince assured. ¡°I¡¯ve already committed myself to staying here. You can be honest. In fact, I insist.¡±


    Mrs. Frances visibly relaxed, but continued to smile with an uneasy edge. ¡°I¡¯m afeared if you knew it all, how we live in this house. So carefully. You would run off scared, and who would blame you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t scare easily.¡± Prin said. ¡°I will take that piece of cake though.¡±

 Chapter 54

    Captain Thompson¡¯s lovely home, on a quiet street, with wealthy, quiet neighbors, was nothing like The Vulture. Then again, what was? Nevertheless, it was a house full of secrets. But also full of love. The captain¡¯s love for his children permeated everything, and what ever secrets were had, and mistakes were made, that at least was still true.


    If the prince didn¡¯t have an important mission to attend to, he could see getting comfortable here. Maybe even sticking around indefinitely. The bed was awfully soft.


    Elwin was laying beside him, staring at the ceiling, troubled.


    ¡°Do you wish we weren¡¯t staying here?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°No, no, its not that.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I just . . . have a lot of thoughts. Don¡¯t you?¡± He turned to face Prin and smiled. ¡°But we¡¯re still here, and still together.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± the prince grinned. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking about Valor and his curse, so am I. It seems like . . . it seems like something could be done about it. Anyway, I want to interview everyone in the family tomorrow to verify all the details in the captain¡¯s stories. Maybe there¡¯s some kind of loophole?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that sounds ambitious.¡± Elwin said. ¡°If there¡¯s anything I can do to help, just say it.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Prin leaned over and kissed Elwin¡¯s cheek. ¡°Goes without saying.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not actually what I was thinking about though.¡± Elwin admitted. ¡°Have you ever talked to Dru? The niece?¡±


    ¡°No, I guess I haven¡¯t. I¡¯ve only seen her when you¡¯ve seen her.¡± Prin said. ¡°Hey, come to think of it, so she hangs out at Mama Kris¡¯s? With that person?¡± He just remembered it, as Dru being there had not seemed like the very most important part of that whole confrontation, it had slipped right out of his mind.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said darkly. ¡°And she has an as yet unknown, but intimate seeming relationship with Wrena.¡±


    ¡°She does!?¡± Prin¡¯s eyes were wide in the candle light. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°I accidentally eavesdropped.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Well . . . maybe not so much accidentally.¡±


    ¡°What do you think is going on?¡± The prince asked. ¡°I mean, the captain seems to accept that she is half feral, or something. But I don¡¯t see it. She seems to be pretty put together.¡±


    ¡°I think,¡± Elwin lowered his voice, eavesdropping was a two way street after all. ¡°She may be stealing from or otherwise taking advantage of this family. Maybe being close to Wrena gives her some kind of access she wouldn¡¯t have otherwise had . . .?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that lightly.¡± Prin said. ¡°The captain could kick us out if he didn¡¯t believe you.¡±


    ¡°Oh I know! I wouldn¡¯t say a thing to him without evidence.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I¡¯m just watching is all, just watching to see if any evidence appears.¡±


    ¡°Right, gotcha.¡± Prin nodded. ¡°Wise.¡±


    After a long moment of silence, Prin spoke up again. ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s possible maybe he is outgrowing the curse? Like, when was the last bad, outrageously, abnormally, bad thing to have happened to Valor? Maybe it¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Elwin snuggled his head into Prin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, sweetness, because you know I love you . . .¡±


    ¡°What? What is it?¡± Prin put his hand up and rubbed Elwin¡¯s head. Even though he knew he was about to possibly say something he shouldn¡¯t, Prin already knew he couldn¡¯t be mad. No matter what it was.


    ¡°It¡¯s us. Us showing up here.¡± Elwin said. ¡°The latest bead, maybe the focal point, in the whole necklace of disaster.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± The prince said, his mind mercifully blanking, if only for a brief moment. ¡°O-ooh!¡± he repeated as realization dawned. ¡°I would never eat Valor, are you crazy!?¡±


    ¡°Maybe the curse doesn¡¯t know that.¡± Elwin said gently. ¡°Have you been feeling any rumblings lately? Are you . . . are you alright for now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± Prin said. ¡°I feel perfectly . . . full. And well.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good.¡± Elwin said, relief registering in his voice. ¡°Let me know if anything changes. Maybe in the mean time we should, I mean, just as a back up plan, not that we will need one . . . Keep our eyes open for the right kind of  . . .¡±


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    ¡°Bad person?¡± the prince asked. ¡°Delicious person?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re thinking of who I¡¯m thinking of.¡± Prin said. ¡°But how on earth I could manage to be alone with him, if the need arises. I can¡¯t even imagine? It seems like there are a lot of guards. Like the big lady . . .¡±


    ¡°I bet we could come up with something, some sort of excuse.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I think getting back out of Mama Kris¡¯s after the fact would be the trickier part.¡±


    ¡°I could always pretend I wanted to try out for a job there after all.¡± Prin said in a teasing tone.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡± Elwin laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. I mean, that makes me very uncomfortable.¡± He hurried to add. ¡°Not because I think they wouldn¡¯t hire you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it should be you.¡± The prince teased. ¡°They would hire you for sure.¡±


    The next morning, the bell rang eight times, calling the family to an eight am breakfast.


    Elwin rolled over and drowsily put his arm around Prin, snuggling him close. He just wanted to close his eyes again, burrowing his face into the pillows that smelled sweetly of fresh air on a cloudless day, and not concern himself with worldly things like eating.


    The prince, however, opened his blue eyes wide at the first chime of the bell.


    ¡°Oh! I said I would check in on Valor and see if he needed any help in the mornings. Since Mrs. Frances helper is a bit . . . well rightfully wary of him.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°He wont throw anything at you, I imagine.¡± Elwin said. Adding, he had better not, silently to himself. ¡°O-oh you really are his assistant now.¡±


    ¡°No, not really.¡± Prin waved his hand. He sat up and stretched.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see you emptying chamber pots . . . and stuff like that.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Want me to come with?¡±


    ¡°If you want to.¡± Prin said, sounding somewhat hesitant. ¡°It¡¯s not really necessary though. You can sleep in a little bit instead.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m ready to get up.¡± Elwin lied.


    The two of them quickly got dressed and went to Valor¡¯s room. The prince knocked on the door, a bit timidly, Elwin thought.


    Elwin followed it up with a heartier knock of his own. He listened carefully for a reply from inside the room, leaning forward so that he would be sure of hearing it.


    Suddenly, he felt a sharp poke in his calf and heard a yelp from Prin. Elwin turned around quickly to see Valor behind them, walking cane in hand, locked and loaded.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Valor asked.


    He looked comfy with a long tunic top over leggings. Solid black with a floppy bow at his throat. His two little familiars at his feet. He frowned at them, ice-like eyes narrowed behind his pink lensed glasses.


    The prince grinned, while rubbing the back of his leg with one hand. ¡°We came to get you up, but I can see that wasn¡¯t necessary.¡±


    ¡°Thank you anyway.¡± Valor said dryly.


    Elwin had a mind to complain about being poked, he was sure it would leave a bruise, but he didn¡¯t want to rock the boat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just . . . go to breakfast.¡± He said.


    ¡°Where else?¡± Valor said. He turned on his heels and led the way to the kitchen.


    Elwin shot a complaining look at his prince, who just shrugged and smiled in return. Whatcha gonna do?


    In the kitchen, Captain Thompson was already seated, alone, at the kitchen table. ¡°My boys!¡± He said cheerily.


    After yesterdays depressing ¡®story hour¡¯, Elwin was surprised to see him in such a good mood. He half thought that the captain would be angry at them for encouraging the reveal, and thereby becoming the secret¡¯s new keepers.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± Valor said, sitting down in his usual seat.


    Prin sat beside him, and Elwin looked around, wondering if they should wait for the appearance of Wrena and Dru to start eating.


    Mrs. Frances was making a huge stack of fluffy pancakes, and Elwin could feel his mouth begin to water. How he had missed good cooking in just these few days he had been away from home.


    ¡°No need to wait on them.¡± The captain said jovially. ¡°After gallivanting around all night, they often miss breakfast.¡± He laughed. ¡°Girls will be girls!¡±


    Elwin sat down beside the captain.


    ¡°Speaking of gallivanting, I had the most relaxing evening.¡± Captain Thompson stretched his arms up over his head. ¡°I really needed it too. I saw Rose, of course, and you¡¯ll never believe ¨C¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t want to hear about it.¡± Valor said.


    Mrs. Frances and her assistant delivered heaping plates of pancakes, with sausage on the side, and fresh fruit. As well as a pitcher of warm maple syrup for dressing.


    ¡°Oh hush.¡± The captain said. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to say anything not fit for childish ears! Although someday soon you¡¯ll be begging to go to the font of beauty and elegance, in the pink house in the center of town . . . Eh, never mind. A conversation for another day. Anyways, you¡¯ll never guess what we talked about.¡± He paused for a long enough moment for Elwin and Prin to exchange glances. They had no clue.


    ¡°A big party that¡¯s coming up!¡± Captain Thompson declared. ¡°In fact, well, according to Rose, it¡¯s the biggest and most prestigious party all year. At least, taking place on this small island.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Apparently, dignitaries and dilettantes even come from OFF island to attend. What do you think of THAT, Elwin and Prin? Rose insisted that the two of you would want to go. Of course, as for me, I don¡¯t care much for these events and generally tend to turn them down.¡±


    This prompted another exchange of glances between Prin and Elwin.


    ¡°Now, the girls will be rip roaring excited, I imagine.¡± The captain continued. So I thought the two of you could go as their dates! You know, just a little arm candy. So they don¡¯t have to enter the party unaccompanied.


    And of course, with Rose on my arm, I¡¯ll be sure to have fun for once, at such an event.¡± He looked very self-satisfied to be telling them this.


    After a long moment of uncomfortable silence, where the captain clearly was expecting them to declare their excitement and gratitude at the opportunity, Elwin finally spoke up.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t appreciate . . .¡± he trailed. ¡°I¡¯m just not sure we¡¯re the types either . . .¡±


    ¡°I mean, it does sound kind of fun.¡± Prin said thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ve never been to anything like that and I always did wonder what it would be like . . . but still.¡±


    ¡°To invite us to a lavish party . . .¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh, I forgot! Rose said be sure to tell you that Freya, the fortune teller, will be there.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°Well, that changes everything.¡± Prin said.


    At the same time Elwin said, ¡°We¡¯d be delighted to accept.¡±

 Chapter 55

    ¡°Wonderful!¡± Captain Thompson grinned widely at Elwin and Prin. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll have a grand old time. Even among those stuffed shirts.¡± He scratched his chin thoughtfully, a forkful of pancakes dangling from his other hand. ¡°Maybe if Rose will accompany me, I might start going to a lot more of these things. It¡¯s a way to get out of the house, in any case. And there might be some good grub and champagne.¡±


    ¡°It seems weird.¡± Valor pointed out. ¡°To see you excited about going to a party. I can¡¯t understand it.¡± His pale gaze shifted to his father, over his right shoulder anyway, but close enough. ¡°After all, you¡¯re old.¡±


    ¡°Papa still has life in him!¡± the captain roared. ¡°It aint over til you¡¯re dead, kid. You can still have fun once in a while!¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Valor hummed doubtfully. ¡°What about me then? Aren¡¯t I invited?¡±


    ¡°Of course . . . umm.¡± Captain Thompson¡¯s eyes went wide and he seemed at a temporary loss of words on this development. ¡°You would want to . . . I mean . . . your safety. . .¡±


    Prin grinned at Valor. ¡°What a wonderful idea! It will be good for you to get out more. Like I was just saying yesterday.¡±


    Elwin shot him a concerned look. Had Prin already forgotten all about the curse? Or chosen to disregard it entirely.


    ¡°Wrena can fend for herself.¡± Valor said, in the firm tone of someone who¡¯s words were quickly converted to settled fact. ¡°Prin will be my date.¡±


    The prince shrugged and smiled at Captain Thompson. He clearly had no problem with this.


    Elwin on the other hand was worried about taking the most unfortunate boy in the world anywhere, especially a place like that full of people, no doubt drunk, and unfamiliar surroundings. What if something happened to him? And it was on their watch.


    The captain also seemed to have reserves. As well as Mrs. Frances, who looked upon the whole scene, ringing her hand in anxious dismay.


    ¡°You know you are the very light of my life . . .¡± Captain Thompson said cautiously. ¡°But your sister too . . . And she needs to be out in society, perhaps meeting a nice young man? At her age and all, such concerns would be on her mind?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say she shouldn¡¯t go.¡± Valor said, calmly eating his fruit. ¡°Just that she can find her own date.¡±


    ¡°So, what do you think of Freya, the witch?¡± Prin asked brightly. ¡°Not to change the subject.¡± Even though he said that, it very much was to change the subject.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure she refers to herself as a witch!¡± Captain Thompson said with a laugh, ¡°But as for other people.¡±


    Prin smiled. ¡°A rose by any other name?¡±


    ¡°As you say.¡± The captain agreed. ¡°She¡¯s a very striking woman, almost beautiful. You can¡¯t quite tell her age, but she has a wisdom about her.¡±


    ¡°I mean, more, her abilities. I guess.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Oooo-oh, can she do all of what was asked of her?¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°No, apparently not. She is a low level sorceress, not capable of undoing the work of her betters. But interesting to talk to none the less.¡±


    A disappointed look passed over the prince¡¯s face that he wasn¡¯t able to quickly hide. ¡°Low level, huh?¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe just in some areas, and more skilled in others.¡± The captain said. ¡°It was rude of me to put it that way. Her specialty is telling your future with her cards.¡±


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    ¡°I would like to have my future told.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I doubt she¡¯ll be doing work at a social gathering.¡± The captain said. ¡°But you seem to have a keen interest, I¡¯ll see about getting you introduced to her. A start at least, eh?¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± The prince smiled warmly at the captain. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be ungrateful.¡±


    ¡°The party is in only three days, we will have to get you boys outfitted appropriately!¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Like a trio of princes!¡±


    ¡°Yaay.¡± Valor said dryly.


    *


    Since his opportunity to meet the island¡¯s famous witch was coming up so soon, Prin vowed to get as much research in as possible. He was less concerned about appropriate dress and more concerned with asking the right questions.


    He would definitely have to ask her if she knew any witches at all who could do what the witch had done to him. But . . . somehow without letting on that he had killed two people? Which could definitely be seen as a failing actionable by the law. He chuckled to himself. Right, killing and consuming two people . . . just a slight misdemeanor, that¡¯s all.


    He decided to bring Elwin into the library project as well, although Valor didn¡¯t seem all to pleased about it.


    When he had them both in the library, he decided to level with Valor, as he seemed the type of person that a straightforward approach would work best with.


    ¡°We are going to go to this party and we¡¯re going to have a great time. But I have an ulterior motive for wanting to go.¡± Prin announced.


    ¡°I figured as much.¡± Valor said.


    Elwin cast Prin a look like he wanted to say something, his mouth even opened slightly, but he closed it again without speaking. Frowning slightly in that way he had, with his eyebrows scrunched together.


    The prince carried on anyway. He took a big breath and spoke on the exhale. ¡°I am cursed. And so are you.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Valor said. He sat down in his chair, both cats immediately jumping on his lap and playfully jockeying for space. ¡°About me anyway. Not the specifics, per say, but I figure my father killed so many people in his younger years, one of them was bound to have an angry magician for a relative.¡±


    So close, yet so far. Prin was not going to give him the specifics, although part of him wanted to. He couldn¡¯t see the use in it. ¡°So at least it doesn¡¯t come as a shock, that¡¯s good.¡±


    ¡°No. But what of it?¡± Valor asked. ¡°From my understanding you can only be released by the witch who cursed you. And what are the odds of finding them? In all the people of the world. Which I gather is a large number. If they are even still alive.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I think finding the one who did it is ideal.¡± Prin nodded. ¡°But I wonder if a witch, stronger than the original one, could also undo a curse? Or overlay it somehow, counteract it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think the fortune teller, celebrity though she may be on this island, will be the one.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Maybe she can provide a stepping stone in the right direction, though? We have to try!¡± Prin said, trying to imbue his voice with a level of encouragement that would get the boy motivated. ¡°In the mean time, I want to do a lot of research. If we can¡¯t help ourselves, who will help us?¡±


    Elwin took his hand. ¡°Me.¡±


    ¡°You never know, if you are able to get out more, maybe you will find your Elwin.¡± Prin said softly. ¡°Maybe even at this very party, who knows?¡±


    ¡°Doubtful.¡± Valor said. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the curse. I would rather not . . . transmit the curse to some unfortunate who thinks of me with affection, like what happened last time. Of course it may be different if the person is already afflicted.¡± He tilted his head consideringly toward Prin.


    ¡°Last time?¡± Prin wondered. Since Valor didn¡¯t seem inclined to explain himself, he decided to move on. For now. ¡°Never mind. Let¡¯s look at some books, shall we?¡±


    He tried to consider how they could include Valor. ¡°Alright, El, you read off the titles of the books and the table of contents, if it seems necessary, to Valor. And Valor, you categorize the books into different piles. Like biography, science, art, fiction, etc. Anything involving magic or witches we will put together all in one pile and read further into them later? Does that sound agreeable to everyone? In order to make quicker work . . .¡± the prince looked around him at the hundreds of books that stacked the shelves and floors. This was not to mention the books in other rooms. ¡°I will start on the farther side separately.¡±


    Valor frowned.


    Elwin also looked inclined to complain, but didn¡¯t.


    It would be good for them, then, to work together.


    The prince went to the far side of the room and started to work. He opened the curtains to give himself more light. The state of the books was dismaying. Many of them were very old and not well cared for, crumbling apart or water damaged.


    The musty smell made him sneeze.


    Also, the books in this area seemed rather boring, mostly about seafaring and geography, or stuffy biographies of people he had never heard of.


    Just as he had been at it for a while, and the other side of the room seemed suspiciously quiet, prompting him to want to check on the others, A book with gilt lettering across the dried blood-brown spine caught his eye. ¡°Curses.¡±


    The prince snatched the book from the shelf so fast, he was afraid it would crumble to dust beneath his firm grip.

 Chapter 56

    The prince held the book in trembling hands. The golden title across its spine, the only clue as to its potential content. But that was enough, enough to get his hopes up, enough to make him both excited and afraid to open its dull leather cover.


    It was a small book, with a strange feel to the pages, something thicker and differently textured to the paper he was used to, gone brittle with age.


    Prin allowed the book to fall open wherever it wished, spreading in his hands like a dried flower attempting to bloom.


    A hand painted illustration spanned both pages. It showed a boy with a golden crown on his head shoving a smaller child into his mouth, only it¡¯s legs remaining, flailing vainly in the air as it was consumed. Two other crown wearing children cowered before him.


    The artwork was simple, done with a delicate touch, and many colors but no excessive gore. Yet the expressions on the faces of the children was enough to send a shiver up your spine. They knew they were about to be eaten and there was no escape. And the one doing the eating was, or used to be anyway, the brother to the soon to be dinner.


    Prin was so riveted by the scene, he almost failed to notice the block of writing in faded calligraphy on the right hand side of the page. A column that was difficult to read, although the title couldn¡¯t help but stand out. The Monster Prince.


    The prince shut the book quickly and held it to his chest, as though it were about to speak out loud his secrets and he had to hurry and shut its mouth. ¡°Oh gods and goddesses.¡± He whispered. How can this old book know about him? Or else he wasn¡¯t the only one. Was this just, a thing that happened? With some regularity? Did people not know?


    He sunk to the floor in the dust and gloom of the misbegotten library, gulping, trying to regain his breath. Could there be a breakthrough between these old pages?


    Prin wasn¡¯t sure how long he sat there in a stupor, before a raising voice from across the room brought him out of it.


    ¡°I¡¯m not reading any more of this book!¡± Elwin was loudly insisting. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have started if I knew what it . . .¡±


    ¡°You should do as I say.¡± Valor said. ¡°I want to know what it says. And it¡¯s not like I can read it for myself.¡±


    ¡°Is this the kind of thing you like to read?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°I like to read everything.¡± Valor said. ¡°As long as its interesting.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to get someone else to read you this one.¡± Elwin said firmly.


    ¡°You would deny a blind person the pleasures of the written word?¡± Valor said, putting an unnatural emphasis on the word pleasures.


    The prince stood up and moved towards them, through his fog he could sense that Elwin needed rescued. As he got closer he could see that Elwin¡¯s cheeks were aflame. And by Valor¡¯s posture and particle of a smile, the merciless teasing was almost certainly deliberate. Although Elwin probably didn¡¯t know it. Prin wondered what the heck was in that book? It couldn¡¯t possibly be as shocking as the one he carried, held close to his chest like a newborn baby.


    ¡°H-hey.¡± Prin said. What was meant to be a mild greeting had come out oddly.


    Valor backed away a step from Elwin. ¡°We¡¯ll just file it under fiction.¡± He said. Valor reached for the book and Elwin handed it to him, carefully so that their hands would not touch.


    Elwin turned to the prince, his mouth changing shape in the middle of forming a word when he saw Prin¡¯s face. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Prin didn¡¯t feel okay, in fact, he thought he might faint. But didn¡¯t want to be dramatic about it.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Prin said simply. ¡°I think I need a break. Maybe it¡¯s the dust or . . .¡±


    Valor tapped the stacks of books with his cane until he counted to the right one, and sat the offending tome carefully on top of the stack. He turned back to Prin, with a look that his face did not appear totally at ease carrying. Something akin to concern.


    He reached in front of him, hand dancing through the air for a moment before at last making contact with the prince¡¯s arm. ¡°What did you find?¡±


    Valor¡¯s fingers were icy, even through the fabric of Prin¡¯s shirt, and he felt a cold chill go up his spine. He wanted to pull away, but forced himself not to.


    ¡°I- nothing. I mean . . . nothing relevant.¡± Prin said. ¡°I just have to stop for now. I have to get some air.¡± He put his own hand over Valor¡¯s and patted it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t either.¡± Valor frowned, clearly unsatisfied by this response. He took his hand away from Prin. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize to me. This isn¡¯t a prison. You may go at any time.¡±


    Elwin, the vestiges of red in his cheeks having drained away as he became suddenly pale, pulled the prince into a hug.


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    Prin was sorry for making him worry. This particular moment, and also in general.


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk with you.¡± Elwin said. He let go of Prin and took his arm, leading him through the library and towards the door.


    Valor tilted his head to the side. ¡°What will I do?¡± he wondered. The light from the library windows hit just right, making temporary rubies of his rose tinted eyes.


    ¡°Whatever you normally do.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin could tell he was holding back, biting his words. ¡°I¡¯ll be okay, really.¡± He said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    They left the library quickly, Prin still holding his precious book.


    ¡°Do you need to go outside? Or to the bathroom?¡± Elwin asked him.


    ¡°No, no, maybe just to lay down for a minute.¡± Prin said.


    They walked back to their room, Elwin still holding into him as though fearing he would regret letting go.


    Prin figured he must really look like he was going to pass out after all.


    When they got inside, Elwin closed the door, and Prin reached back to flip the latch securely into place. He felt instantly a little better. Safe.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, really. I just had a little shock and it threw me for a loop.¡± Prin said. He sat down on the edge of the bed. ¡°I don¡¯t even know why exactly.¡±


    Elwin¡¯s eyes went to the plain looking book he was still clutching close to his body. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± He reached out for the book, eyes widening and hand freezing in place when Prin turned away, protecting his prize.


    ¡°No! No. I don¡¯t know why I did that.¡± The prince handed the book to Elwin, although it felt almost like a living creature that was refusing to let go of him and go to Elwin. Like a skittish puppy. ¡°Here. I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s an old book. Very old. And I couldn¡¯t believe that it would hit so close to home . . . A page in the middle . . . I don¡¯t even know what it says. It was hard to read and I got afraid.¡± He laughed, startling himself with the edge of hysteria he could hear there. ¡°Like my name will be there in print?¡±


    Elwin opened the book, which naturally fell to the middle, and flipped slowly through the pages. He made a face. ¡°Pretty dark, but I admire the artistry.¡± He closed it again and looked all over the outside of the book. ¡°No clues on where it came from or who wrote it.¡± He started at the spine where it said Curses. ¡°Oh. That explains that.¡± He opened back up to where he left off, slowly turning the pages.


    When he stopped, completely still for a long moment, the prince leaned forward to see that yes indeed he had found the correct page of the book. He leaned closer to the open curtained window to squint at the writing. ¡°The Monster Prince. Is that the title of the illustration?¡±


    ¡°Or the name of the curse.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to read this the best I can. There is some weird spelling and it¡¯s pretty faded.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Actually, you¡¯re better at interpreting this stuff then I am. You want to see it?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Prin laid down on the bed, fluffing up the pillows behind him. ¡°Please. You read it. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do fine.¡± He draped his arm over his face. He didn¡¯t think he had it in him to read it himself right now, scared as he was of what it would say.


    The prince hadn¡¯t been scared of much lately, it was kind of funny that a few little words on a page, written probably a couple hundred years ago, give or take, could make him shake.


    ¡°The prince will have a hunger for meat, that the flesh of no animal will satisfy.¡± Elwin read carefully, perhaps filling in the blanks with the nearest thing he thought made sense.


    ¡°The prince will devour his siblings, until he is the only one who remains.¡± Elwin continued.


    ¡°The cursed prince will sit on a throne of death that grows ever steeper. Until the people rise up to destroy him, or else all perish. Starving him of sustenance.¡±


    ¡°Well . . . at least none of that stuff happened. Yet.¡± Prin said dryly, feeling more exhausted then ever. ¡°Is there more?¡±


    ¡°A little . . . but there¡¯s a water spot. I can¡¯t make it out.¡± Elwin said. He closed the book. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. None of this is relevant to you.¡±


    The prince barked out a harsh laugh.


    ¡°Alri-ight.¡± Elwin put his hands up. ¡°Most of it is not relevant to you. You¡¯re not going to eat enough people to sit on a throne of dead bodies. And you are NOT a monster.¡±


    ¡°One of them remains to be seen and the other is debatable at best.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. Isn¡¯t it comforting in a way to know that you aren¡¯t alone? You aren¡¯t the first person that this has happened to?¡± Elwin asked. He was grasping at straws to be comforting, but Prin appreciated the effort.


    ¡°No.¡± Prin said. ¡°I do have Valor, though. And at least he only hurts himself. Well, mostly.¡±


    Elwin frowned, narrowing his eyes. ¡°That little . . . How much of what happens to him is he bringing on himself?¡±


    ¡°Elwin!¡± Prin sat up quickly. ¡°Why would you say that? He¡¯s just a lonely boy. Ill-mannered, sure, but who wouldn¡¯t be?¡±


    ¡°You should have seen, no, you definitely should not see, this book he was trying to make me read.¡± Elwin¡¯s cheeks got pink again at the memory. ¡°It was all ¨C well, I learned something, just from half a page.¡±


    ¡°O-ooh, it was that kind of book.¡± Prin said. He hadn¡¯t known they put that kind of stuff into writing. ¡°You should have just appeased him and read it.¡± He teased.


    ¡°No, it was nasty.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And Valor is a child. I guess. Sure doesn¡¯t seem like one, though.¡±


    ¡°Now you are making me want to try reading it. See if I get any farther.¡± Prin said. ¡°I want to learn something too.¡±


    ¡°Listen.¡± Elwin said, his eyes suddenly widening, voice serious. ¡°Even though he was sort of flirting with me. I think. In his own way. It¡¯s actually you he¡¯s interested in. Be careful around him. He isn¡¯t as helpless as he looks.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just goofing around.¡± Prin said dismissively. ¡°I know Valor is a bit off putting, but he¡¯s just . . . really bad at people. You know? Now, with us around, he will get more practice.¡±


    Elwin scootched closer and leaned his head on Prin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I just worry about you.¡±


    ¡°I worry about you too.¡± Prin admitted. ¡°But it¡¯ll be okay. We¡¯re together, we can watch each other¡¯s back. As for Valor? Let¡¯s get this curse off his back, that¡¯s what we¡¯ll do.¡±


    Elwin gave him a skeptical look. ¡°O-okay. I was thinking more along the lines of keeping out of the curse¡¯s undertow, if you know what I mean. You always take the more ambitious route. Are we still helping Aster too?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Prin said, offended by the question. ¡°That one will be easier, though.¡±


    Elwin laughed. ¡°Tell that to Mama Kris and her thugs.¡±


    ¡°You act like we can only help one person at a time.¡± The prince said.


    ¡°I¡¯m just wondering if we will never be able to get off this island, because we will be so busy solving everyone¡¯s problems.¡± Elwin shrugged, as though to say, if that¡¯s the way you want it, I¡¯m just along for the ride so what do I know.


    Prin sighed. He wished Elwin wasn¡¯t making a good point. Not that it mattered to him, because he couldn¡¯t be dissuaded once he had set his mind to something. Somehow, even though still figuring himself out amongst everything that was going on, he already knew that much.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Prin said brightly. He tapped the plain brown book ¡°Let¡¯s find Valor next. Maybe his entry will be more helpful.¡±

 Chapter 57

    The book called ¡®Curses¡¯, was full of secrets whispered in darkened corridors, half heard and even less understood. And a work of art, comprised of many individual works of art, some parts of which were alight with unsettling beauty.


    Elwin and Prin sat side by side on the bed, closely examining the pages of the small book.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think this was all written by the same person.¡± Elwin pointed out. ¡°See? The handwriting is different.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking the same thing.¡± The prince said. ¡°The artwork is different too. Some of it is at least the same style but some of it is completely . . . different.¡±


    They stared extra long at a two page spread that showed a girl turning into a werewolf. The stages of her transformation overlapping each other. Girl, extra hair and elongated limbs, clothes tearing and nose and mouth protruding into a snout, joints where they shouldn¡¯t be, down on all fours, Wolf.


    ¡°Remarkable.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Yes. Who were the people who made this book?¡± Elwin asked. A relevant question if Prin ever heard one. It almost seemed even stranger that it was a whole group of people versus one deranged individual with a lot of time on her hands.


    ¡°I suppose it could be one person.¡± Prin said, with this on his mind. ¡°Creating the book over a long stretch of time with improving skills.¡±


    ¡°Based on just the handwriting and not the art. I don¡¯t think so.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Looks like at least three people if you ask me, maybe more.¡±


    ¡°But who? As you say.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°We should read every one. As much as we can read them. There may be a clue in there as to where the book came from.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°That may take a while.¡± Prin teased. ¡°Can we just hide in here the rest of the week?¡±


    ¡°That would be nice.¡± Elwin said agreeably. ¡°Not sure what the captain would say when Valor has another melt down.¡±


    ¡°Oh fine. Just a little longer then.¡± The prince said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to tell Valor about this book, not just yet anyway. I¡¯m not sure why, something just tells me to keep it to myself.¡±


    ¡°You were holding on to it pretty strongly there for a minute. I thought you weren¡¯t even gonna let me take a look at it.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh here! Here it is!¡± Prin said. He had turned the page, and the scene before him felt all too relevant to a certain someone. Speak of the devil.


    The girl in the illustration was pretty, with long blond hair and a flowing white dress. As she walked through the page, looking up at lightning filling the sky, a hole had opened up in front of her that she was about to step into. A flock of crows carrying rocks flew towards her from the other side of the page, heedless of the storm, and a snake with fangs bared was preparing to strike.


    ¡°The moment before disaster.¡± Prin said. ¡°Multiple disasters.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°What!?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Even the birds are in on it!¡± Elwin said.


    The prince playfully hit him in the arm. ¡°Sto-oop, it¡¯s really not funny.¡± He giggled. ¡°Can you imagine, though? How many times Val must have been hit by bird poop over the years?¡±


    ¡°O-ooh, its Val now?¡± Elwin teased. ¡°Should I be worried?¡±


    Prin rolled his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re silly.¡±


    ¡°This is about the best representation of what¡¯s happening to him that I think we¡¯re going to find in here.¡± Elwin said seriously, a return to business at hand.


    ¡°Yes. Pretty spot on. I¡¯d say.¡± Prin agreed. ¡°It¡¯s the same curse.¡±


    ¡°The Unlucky.¡± Elwin traced his finger over the faded brown words. ¡°That¡¯s an understatement.¡±


    ¡°Keep reading.¡± Prin prompted.


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    ¡°An insidious curse that can be inherited by your offspring.¡± Elwin continued. ¡°Impossible to cure, but can be reduced or nullified by the generous application of counter blessings.¡±


    The prince nodded sagely. ¡°That¡¯s kind of what I thought.¡±


    ¡°I feel like Captain Thompson would have tried that already?¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°True. But maybe the blessings weren¡¯t strong enough. This is a powerful curse, it needs to be counteracted in kind.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°At the end of this you will know more about it then an actual witch.¡± Elwin teased.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll go into the business myself.¡± Prin said. ¡°After my own curse is removed.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Elwin laughed. ¡°You can travel around breaking curses for people.¡±


    ¡°Hey! That¡¯s not bad.¡± The prince laughed too.


    Eventually they returned to Valor and the library project, but nothing else of great significance was found. Not on this day anyway, there were many, many books left to look at another time.


    When the lunch bell rang, they were all glad to have a break from it.


    Elwin couldn¡¯t help but worry about his prince. The way he had been stricken by the contents of that book. Clearly more disturbed then relieved to find himself, so to speak, depicted on the page. For Elwin it felt like a molecule of hope. If people had identified the problem, gone through the same curse, maybe there were also some clues to the ending of it.


    Right now Prin was acting his usual self, as though it hadn¡¯t happened, but Elwin could see it for the act it was, and his worry remained. Valor also seemed pensive. But with him, wouldn¡¯t it be weirder if he didn¡¯t?


    They sat down to eat lunch and Mrs. Frances served up a pasta dish with mushrooms along side some garlicky fried squash. These good meals were making Elwin miss cooking, something he never thought he would do, but he supposed now that he was away from home, the feeling of cutting carrots and potatoes, stirring big vats of soup, sprinkling powdered sugar or piping icing on long trays of fresh pastry, all felt nostalgic rather than the chore it actually was.


    Devil Dru was the only other one at the table. She looked like she had just rolled out of bed, and no doubt had. Her dark hair was rakishly tousled, and she was wearing a pink robe that didn¡¯t seem to suit her. Elwin found himself idly wondering how much of her wardrobe was actually Wrena¡¯s wardrobe, as this seemed like a prime example. She dug into her food with a sparkle in her eye, like a street urchin who was not accustomed to finding meals so easily. Which, come to think of it, was part of her back story. Or, cover story, if Elwin was correct. But what was it to him if she was somehow lying to this family? He supposed it just seemed like they had been through enough without that inevitable betrayal on top of everything.


    She smiled at Elwin and gave a little wink.


    ¡°This is so-oo good!¡± Dru said to Mrs. Frances. ¡°As always. If I¡¯m here for another year, I¡¯m going to end up weighing 600 pounds.¡± She finished her lunch and leaned back, patting her belly.


    ¡°Just like her uncle, that one. Loves to eat! But, why wouldn¡¯t you be here in a year, dear?¡± Mrs. Frances asked, flashing a startled face at Prin when he giggled.


    Dru grinned at the prince. ¡°That was funny the way she said that, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Prin coughed on a drink of water and Elwin patted him on the back.


    ¡°Pfft, it was a rudimentary rhyme. Not that amusing.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Uncle Captain?¡± Dru asked. For all the world innocent, like what she called him was perfectly normal.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be right back, I told him to hurry before his food gets cold.¡± Mrs. Frances allowed herself the barest frown of disapproval. ¡°He¡¯s on the walkway, talking to his friend.¡± By the emphasis on the word friend it was clear which part of it she didn¡¯t approve of.


    ¡°O-oh.¡± Dru nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll wait then. Got to say good morning ¨C Er, good afternoon.¡±


    It didn¡¯t take long before Captain Thompson was bursting into the room (Elwin didn¡¯t think he could enter a room any other way). By the roses in his cheeks and his dreamy eyed expression it didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out the friend in question was Aster Rose.


    ¡°Good news fellas!¡± Captain Thompson boomed. ¡°Your preparations, regarding attire for the party have all been arranged!¡±


    ¡°They have?¡± Prin asked, prepared to be delighted.


    ¡°Yourself, and the strapping young Elwin will be dressed by the very best.¡± The captain said, well pleased with himself. ¡°Rose is taking you around town tomorrow, and no expense will be spared in getting you outfitted. Courtesy of myself.¡± He reached out and stroked Valor¡¯s head before sitting down to lunch.


    To his credit, Valor barely even flinched.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Prin said. ¡°Valor too, of course, since he¡¯s coming to the party with us.¡±


    Elwin wished he hadn¡¯t invited Valor along, but it would have been unlike the Prin he knew and loved to exclude him, he supposed.


    ¡°Sure.¡± The captain said. ¡°If . . . if he wants to?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to be an embarrassment to Prin.¡± Valor said. ¡°So okay.¡±


    ¡°No! It¡¯s not that!¡± Prin said, horrified. ¡°I just thought it would be fun . . .¡±


    ¡°What about me, uncle? Don¡¯t Wrena and I get new clothes too?¡± Dru asked. She clutched the pink robe together over her chest, as though concealing the ragged clothes of a pauper beneath.


    ¡°Of course, sweetness!¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°As your loving family, we would appreciate seeing you in a suitable gown. In fact, it would be a vision to behold.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about a dress, but maybe!¡± Dru said brightly. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± She gave her uncle an expectant look. ¡°It¡¯s just a shame these things don¡¯t come cheap.¡±


    ¡°Cheeky thing!¡± Captain Thompson chuckled. ¡°Of course, anything the boys should have, the girls should have double.¡± He teased. ¡°I¡¯ll get my wallet.¡±


    Dru laughed. ¡°You said it, not me.¡± She leaned over and kissed his cheek. ¡°Thank you, uncle.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it will be fun to get dressed up?¡± Prin asked Valor. ¡°I know you can¡¯t see it yourself. But . . . the right clothes will make you feel confident.¡± He encouraged. ¡°And you will love Rose. Everyone does.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± The captain said, a thread of uneasiness in his voice. He was obviously not willing to be the one to stop the outing. Even if he was afraid of what luck would bring, outside the relative safety of this house.

 Chapter 58

    First thing in the morning, before the breakfast bell even had a chance to ring solemnly through the house, like something that would call a band of monks out of seclusion, Elwin could feel Prin waking up and stirring beside him. He always seemed to feel it right away when Prin woke up. Although Prin would argue that point, saying he slept like a rock.


    ¡°Go back asleep.¡± Elwin mumbled, throwing his arm over the prince.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m too excited.¡± Prin said sheepishly.


    ¡°It¡¯s just clothes.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And Aster.¡±


    ¡°Clothes! And Aster!¡± Prin said, unable to hold in an excited squeak. ¡°And . . . it will be so fun dressing up Valor.¡± He sat straight up. ¡°I want to get him some new casual clothes too, since obviously his wardrobe hasn¡¯t been updated in forever. Sorry, am I talking about him like he¡¯s a doll to play with? Will he be offended? Oh, I don¡¯t care! I just want to have fun and see Aster.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you happy.¡± Elwin said, which was about all the enthusiasm he could muster for the day¡¯s events.


    They were supposed to meet Aster after breakfast. Which, Elwin did feel some kind of way about the fact that Aster couldn¡¯t join them, although he understood not wanting to do anything to piss off Mama Kris or break the rules in any way. So, they whiled away some time until the bells rang, and went to the kitchen for some delicious waffles.


    Valor was already sitting at the kitchen table, both cats perched on his lap and batting at each other in a playful competition.


    The boy petted them with one hand, while disinterestedly picking at his waffles with the other.


    He was wearing one of the sailor style tops with a long droopy bow, and leggings, as well as boots which were untied, the laces tucked inside the top.


    Valor looked troubled. Or, at least nervous.


    Elwin could see a flash of apprehension cross Prin¡¯s face as he contemplated what to do.


    ¡°Eat up. You¡¯ll need your strength for the big day we¡¯ve got ahead of us!¡± The prince said cheerily.


    Elwin winced in sympathy. Apparently he was not going to let Valor off the hook.


    ¡°Elwin.¡± Valor said seriously.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Elwin wondered if he was about to be prevailed upon to stop the madness. He would rather not. If it meant going against his prince.


    ¡°Does he have good taste?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Who, Prin?¡± Elwin had no idea, since he himself had been the one to pick out Prin¡¯s current wardrobe, and his selection had been dictated by availability and a very small budget. ¡°Yes, very good taste.¡± He said.


    Valor nodded. ¡°I was wondering how I was supposed to know what to pick. I don¡¯t really need to be there at all . . .¡±


    ¡°You will be there so we can make sure it has the best fit and comfort.¡± Prin said. ¡°As for taste? We will get that from Aster, and she wont steer us wrong. It will be fine.¡±


    ¡°Hmm . . . so I have to.¡± Valor said.


    Mrs. Frances sat plates of waffles down in front of Elwin and Prin. She clasped Valor¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything you don¡¯t want to do.¡± She said. Mrs. Frances took the corner of her apron and wiped at a spot of syrup on his cheek. ¡°My angel.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to be a baby forever?¡± Prin asked him.


    ¡°Prin will be very disappointed if you don¡¯t come with us.¡± Elwin said, knowing it was true.


    Valor sat up straighter. ¡°Of course I will go.¡± It¡¯s not like I can¡¯t go for a walk through town. I¡¯m not afraid to.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Prin said. ¡°You¡¯ll have us with you the whole time, looking out for you.¡±


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    They finished their breakfast and said goodbye to Mrs. Frances.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure when we¡¯ll be back.¡± Prin told her. ¡°This may take a while.¡±


    ¡°Bring him back home if he gets tired.¡± She fretted.


    The three of them went outside, leaving the annoyed kitties in the kitchen with Mrs. Frances.


    ¡°Do you really think of me as a baby?¡± Valor asked Prin, as they walked on the path around to the front of the house.


    ¡°Na-ah, I was just trying to rile you up.¡± Prin said. ¡°Did it work?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± Valor said. He had his cane with him, but seemed to be relying more on walking very close to Prin. Occasionally their arms would graze each other, and in this way he knew he was still on the path. Once again he reminded Elwin of a cat, its whiskers guiding it through a tight spot.


    Elwin walked a few steps behind them, watching out for flocks of birds with rocks, or other hazards.


    Aster was patiently waiting for them on the sidewalk in front of the house. Standing primly, idly twirling her unopened umbrella and looking around at the scenic neighborhood.


    Today her dress was cherry blossom pink, with red and white striped trim and a row of silken ribbons up the front and around the waist. Her hair, that matched well with the dress, come to think of it, was done up in a bun with curly tendrils falling around the ears. The umbrella she was carrying was also in a complimentary red and white stripe. The over all effect was like a nicely wrapped candy.


    ¡°Aster!¡± Prin squealed. He quickly abandoned his young charge and ran to his friend, throwing his arms around her.


    Valor jumped slightly, startled by the sudden display of enthusiasm.


    Elwin stepped closer to him, in case he would be needed.


    ¡°Aster Rose, can be called either, I think, is a short, red-head in a pink, red, and white dress. Prin is hugging her like it¡¯s been a month instead of a day or so since they¡¯ve seen each other.¡± Elwin said, adding the necessary running commentary. ¡°Her feet lifted off the ground, wow, Prin is getting strong. Now they are grinning at each other like the cats who ate the canary.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Valor said. He took Elwin¡¯s arm, as though afraid he would be the next one to run off and leave him stranded. ¡°Is this my father¡¯s Rose?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Is she a prostitute?¡± Valor wondered.


    Elwin didn¡¯t feel like it was really his place to say. Then again, it was no big secret. ¡°Yes. And not one hundred percent a she, if that matters.¡± He felt Valor only respected total honesty.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Valor nodded. ¡°After my father¡¯s money?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I mean, not beyond what is owed for, er, services rendered.¡±


    ¡°Who is this?¡± Aster disengaged from Prin and walked over to Elwin and Valor, tilting her head to the side as though just noticing Valor there.


    ¡°It¡¯s Valor, the captain¡¯s son.¡± Prin said, following Aster back to where the others were standing. ¡°He¡¯s going to the party with us and needs some formal wear too. Maybe a couple of regular day to day outfits wouldn¡¯t hurt, if we can manage it.¡±


    ¡°Oh! How cute!¡± Aster said. ¡°How old are you, darling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m blind. So, immune to your charms.¡± Valor said.


    Aster laughed. ¡°O-okay, we¡¯ll see about that.¡±


    ¡°Almost fifteen.¡± Prin helpfully supplied.


    ¡°I love the name Valor! How great.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I am just dying to see him with a makeover.¡± The prince said.


    ¡°No offense, but all of you can use it.¡± Aster said. ¡°Good thing I¡¯m here to help!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you got us all invited to that party with the witch!¡± Prin said. ¡°Ah, I love you.¡±


    Aster giggled. ¡°Don¡¯t blame me for that. It was the captain who got the invite. I just asked him to extend it a little.¡±


    ¡°Oh. So that¡¯s why we¡¯re excited to go to his thing.¡± Valor said. ¡°My father could have just taken us to see the witch lady any time, all you had to do was ask.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more fun this way.¡± Prin assured. He cast Elwin a sheepish look, having obviously not thought of that. Or at least not thought it was an appropriate ask.


    ¡°In fact, we can still call it off. The whole party thing.¡± Valor said. ¡°I like ¨C Sometimes just one¡¯s regular routine, is enough . . .¡±


    ¡°Why would we not want to go to a fancy-pants party?¡± Aster asked. ¡°All the good things to eat and to drink. Stimulating conversation. A chance to strut around and show off our fine, well dressed selves. What¡¯s not to like?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes bad things happen.¡± Valor said ominously. ¡°Especially in new and unregulated environments.¡±


    Elwin looked up, half expecting a dark cloud to blot out the sun and sit directly over the young man¡¯s gloomy head. He would be gloomy himself, if he was prone to half the things that had happened to Valor. Come to think of it, standing this close to him wasn¡¯t exactly wise.


    ¡°To expect every bad thing in the world to happen only to you, is a bit of a self-centered view on the world, don¡¯t you think? After all, there are only so many bad things in the world, and many many people. I would think they should be spread out a bit more.¡± Aster grinned.


    Prin bit his lip, as though dying to correct Aster on the actual bad things happening odds, in regards to this one particular boy, but unsure if he should tell about the curse or not.


    ¡°One would think.¡± Valor said dryly. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Your shoes are untied. May I?¡± Without waiting for a response, Aster bent down and laced up each of Valor¡¯s boots, tying the laces in a nice secure bow. ¡°That¡¯s better.¡±


    Elwin, who¡¯s arm was still being held by Valor, could feel him stiffen and inhale sharply when Aster touched him. He didn¡¯t know if this was a reaction to Aster in particular, or any touchy feely stranger.


    Aster stood back up and touched Valor¡¯s cheek where the scars extended beneath his glasses. ¡°What has happened to you? Never mind, never mind, there¡¯s a story there but you can tell me it later.¡±


    As she turned back around, ready to lead the way toward town, a rock came hurdling past her and she caught it before it could hit Valor.


    ¡°Where on earth did that come from?¡± Aster marveled, examining the plain grey rock in her hand.


    Elwin looked up at the sky and the trees, quite sure that where the rock had come from was not anywhere ¡°on earth¡±.


    And this was only the appetizer.

 Chapter 59

    Aster shrugged, and tossed the rock on the ground. ¡°Oh well, onward and upward. Let¡¯s head back to town.¡±


    A look passed between Elwin and Prin. When was the right time to tell Aster that this kind of thing would be happening more? Should she be warned?


    The moment passed sans warning, and the group walked down the sidewalk. Valor moving close to Prin again and took his arm, releasing Elwin.


    Aster led the way, with Prin and Valor side by side behind her, and Elwin bringing up the rear.


    Aster chattered along the way, mostly about fabric and fit, and the latest styles. It went over Elwin¡¯s head and in one ear and out the other.


    Even though he was watching their environment carefully, he couldn¡¯t possibly see what was coming next.


    The earth began to shake, causing them to sway back and forth on the sidewalk. Even the trees danced. Although the whole thing stopped nearly as soon as it had started.


    Aster had crouched down slightly, wisely bracing herself against it. Whereas Valor had clutched harder on to Prin, in a death grip that no mere mortal would be capable of loosening. Elwin had moved closer to them, in case they needed shielding from something.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, just a lil earthquake.¡± Aster said. ¡°Happens sometimes.¡± She stood up slowly, brushing imaginary crumbs from the front of her outfit. ¡°Hopefully there aren¡¯t any ¨C¡±


    Before she could finish her thought, the world started shaking again, this time accompanied by a rumbling noise from somewhere and a tree began to topple nearby.


    Aster fell on to the ground and between her and the others a crack began to spread, separating the cobble stones in a weirdly straight line, like breaking a tea biscuit in half.


    This one went on longer.


    Prin hugged Valor to him, taking a step back from the newly formed crack in the earth, his facial expression solid ice, unchanged by the environment around them.


    When the shaking stopped, Elwin hopped over the crack, which was only a few inches wide and helped Aster up.


    ¡°Thanks. What a gentleman.¡± Aster said. She smiled up at him, then frowned down at the bit of torn trim at the hem of her dress. ¡°I can fix it.¡± She said, as though that were the most pressing concern.


    ¡°I want to go home.¡± Valor¡¯s glasses were askew on his face, and his mouth was set in what at first appeared a hard line, but if you looked closely there was a quiver in his lower lip. ¡°I can¡¯t ¨C I can¡¯t be here. I want to go home. Now.¡± He held onto Prin, not ready to relinquish his life raft so easily.


    The prince awkwardly patted his back. ¡°It¡¯s all over now, everything¡¯s okay.¡±


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    ¡°Boy will this be all anyone can talk about in town!¡± Aster said. ¡°I guess it¡¯s a change of pace from the weather and the tides, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Aster, we have to tell you something.¡± Elwin said. He was afraid that she was taking her own life into her hands just being in Valor¡¯s vicinity and needed to make an informed decision about whether it was worth the risk.


    At the same time, Prin was speaking to the frightened boy. ¡°Look, you¡¯re alright, aren¡¯t you? Not a hair on your head harmed.¡± He smoothed the boy¡¯s copper-blond hair, and straightened his glasses. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m your good luck charm? Or Aster is.¡± He laughed. ¡°Here,¡± The prince took the scratched coin from around his neck and slipped the cord over Valor¡¯s head. ¡°You can borrow my lucky necklace, it¡¯s got me out of a bunch of scrapes already.¡±


    Aster was tilting her head to the side, studying them with concerned confusion. ¡°Do you think . . . you caused the earthquake?¡±


    ¡°He is the worlds most unlucky kid.¡± Elwin said softly, not wanting to tip him over into full tantrum mode by saying the wrong thing, and doing it loudly. ¡°Seriously. There¡¯s a curse involved.¡±


    ¡°I thought Prin said he was cursed?¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Yes, that too.¡± Elwin agreed.


    ¡°Oh! Maybe the two curses will cancel each other out.¡± Aster said lightly, suppressing a nervous giggle. ¡°We don¡¯t know that it doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±


    Valor released his death grip on Prin and put one hand on the coin around his neck. ¡°Does this thing work.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Prin said. ¡°Can we keep going? If anything else happens, we¡¯ll consider turning back, okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m afraid.¡± Valor lied.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to be afraid, fear is healthy. You just have to push through anyway.¡± Prin said.


    Valor¡¯s pale brows knitted together skeptically. ¡°Is that always wise?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Prin laughed. ¡°But the three of us are here to protect you, right Aster? ¨C I mean, Rose?¡±


    ¡°I thought I was here to look at fabrics and help decide whether something should have one ribbon or two?¡± Aster teased. ¡°I kid, I kid. No, surely the three of us can keep one precious boy from coming to harm. Do you have any idea how resourceful we are?¡±


    Elwin admired the prince, and also Aster, at this moment, so he didn¡¯t say it. That he was on team let¡¯s go home right now. Luckily no one asked him.


    Valor sighed, like the wind passing over dead leaves. ¡°What have I got to lose? Besides life and limb.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit.¡± Prin took his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s be buddies today, you and me. Just like at the party, right? Good practice.¡±


    The ghost of a smile graced Valor¡¯s features.


    ¡°You and me then?¡± Aster smiled up at Elwin. ¡°I¡¯ll be the envy of everyone we pass by.¡±


    Elwin allowed his hand to be taken, marveling at the delicate small one now in his, perfectly manicured and glittering with colorful gem rings. ¡°Okay. But I¡¯ll be the one getting the stink eye from all your admirers.¡±


    Aster giggled. ¡°They know where to find me six nights a week.¡±


    As they passed out of the well to do, tree lined neighborhood, and into a busier area, people were standing around looking warily at the earth or even the sky, no doubt gossiping about the incredible natural phenomena that had just taken place.


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of a power trip isn¡¯t it?¡± Prin asked. ¡°To think that you may have caused all this? Oh! People are standing around outside, and some trees have fallen but I don¡¯t see any more cracks in the earth.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never thought of it that way before.¡± Valor said. ¡° . . . There was a crack in the earth?¡±


    ¡°Just a wee little one.¡± Aster assured, strolling along with Elwin like she hadn¡¯t a care in the world. ¡°I¡¯ve seen worse. Hey, we do make an attractive couple, don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say.¡± Prin said admiringly.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it bother you?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Hmm? What? Oh, that?¡± The prince laughed. ¡°My two favorite people walking hand in hand? Nah, I call it a pretty picture. I wish I had a sketch book and a pen.¡±


    ¡°I would be jealous.¡± Valor said, in his deadpan way.


    Elwin took a peek over his shoulder. He could swear that blind boy was staring daggers into the back of him. But nah, couldn¡¯t be.


    At least he was distracted from the earthquake.

 Chapter 60

    Aster took them to a shop with a hand painted sign outside showing a button with a needle and thread, no words required.


    ¡°This is the best shop for men¡¯s wear.¡± Aster said. ¡°See, when you¡¯re this good you don¡¯t even have to advertise! It¡¯s all word of mouth. Kind of like me in that way.¡± She laughed. ¡°When you¡¯re the best they come to you. Here¡¯s where I will avoid making the crude joke that¡¯s on the tip of my tongue, my lovely children.¡± She waved her hand. ¡°An-ny-way, I made us an appointment.¡±


    The shop had a small entryway but was bigger on the inside then it had looked. Rows of pants, shirts, and jackets on hanging racks, as well as floor to ceiling shelving that spilled over with fabrics and accessories.


    There was a small couch in the entryway, where you could see all the way through the center of the building when the curtain that served as a door between it and the main room was open. A bell hung beside the doorway.


    Aster left the others beside the couch and went over to the bell, preparing to ring it to bring attention to their presence, when she stopped and looked back over her shoulder at Prin.


    ¡°They don¡¯t have dresses here, but if you would rather one of those I know just the place.¡± She smiled at the prince directly.


    ¡°Me?¡± Prin pointed at himself with the hand that wasn¡¯t being aggressively clung to by Valor.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Aster grinned wider.


    ¡°Why do you single me out like that?¡± Prin laughed.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to embarrass you, it just seemed like you might be interested. And a dress would look so good on you! Maybe someday.¡± Aster winked.


    ¡°Oh no! Not embarrassed, just surprised.¡± Prin said. ¡°Er, maybe someday, right. It¡¯s not like I wouldn¡¯t be curious . . .¡±


    Elwin tried to picture the prince in a dress, and even though he had seen him in plenty of nightgowns, the image of him in an ornate dress like the one Aster was wearing would not come to mind for the life of him. Not that he didn¡¯t find him plenty pretty.


    ¡°Is that actually an option?¡± Valor wondered. For all his holding on to Prin like an outgrown baby blanket, his voice was as impassive as always, face back to betraying no particular emotion. So, it was hard to tell if he was actually intrigued by it, preparing some sort of snide remark, or just making conversation.


    Before Aster even had a chance to ring the bell, a young woman appeared. She could not have been past her mid twenties, but had the bearing of someone wiser and more sophisticated then her years. She was short and curvy, wearing an impeccably tailored brown suit, her dark hair in a knot of braids at the base of her neck. She had a crystal flower broach at her lapel. The most standout feature, though, was a monocle at her eye. All the better to see you with my dear.


    She cast a dour look at the lot of them, as though they were not of the caliber she was used to seeing in this shop.


    Elwin was certain that they weren¡¯t. But he still resented her eyes, one distorted by the round lens of glass, saying that she wasn¡¯t sure that they could pay for this. And, mightn¡¯t they consider going somewhere cheaper?


    Her expression shifted slightly when her gaze slid over to Aster. The hint of amusement, the anticipation of delight, an enigmatic smile.


    Ah, Aster would not bring her customers without deep pockets.


    ¡°Nannette.¡± Aster said pleasantly.


    ¡°Bonjour.¡± Nannette said.


    ¡°Gesundheit.¡± Aster said. ¡°I¡¯ve brought my friends. Captain Thompson¡¯s group.¡±


    ¡°Ah hah!¡± Nannette said. ¡°The unlimited account. My heart is ready.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the one. Unfortunately, although money isn¡¯t an issue, there is a time crunch.¡±


    ¡°Then let us not delay.¡± Nannette turned around sharply and clicked the heels of her dapper leather boots on the floor. She went quickly into the other room, clearly expecting the others to follow.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Aster motioned them forward and the four of them walked into the long room, a wonderland of clothing.


    An older lady in a no nonsense forest green dress with pincushions strapped to both wrists came out of the back and Nannette conferred with her briefly before she disappeared again.


    ¡°Tell Felix to lock the front door, no more customers today.¡± she called after her.


    ¡°Who is first?¡± Nannette asked Aster.


    Aster pushed Elwin forward. ¡°Go on, be the Guinea Pig.¡±


    Elwin had never been to a place like this before. In TallHillde there was a local tailor, but most people made their own clothes, or bought them off the rack and used belts and buttons to assist the fit.


    Nannette nodded at him. ¡°What¡¯s your favorite color?¡±


    Elwin¡¯s mind drew an immediate blank and he felt his face flush with embarrassment. ¡°I-I¡¯m not sure I have one.¡± He couldn¡¯t believe his own inability to answer this, the most basic of questions.


    Luckily, Nannette had not stopped to listen to his answer anyway, having moved on to shuffling through the racks of suits at her disposal.


    The woman from before returned, as well as a teenaged boy.


    ¡°This is Lottie and Felix.¡± Aster said. She sat down on a stool, out of the way of Nannette¡¯s furious activity.


    Felix turned bright red, rather a feat based on his complexion, and his eyes refused to look in Aster¡¯s direction. Anywhere else, and everywhere else.


    Lottie pulled out a long measuring tape and began to take Elwin¡¯s measurements, pushing his arms and legs out as needed.


    When Felix had recovered a bit, his eyes settled on Valor, who was, of course, a curious sight.


    Felix was not a bad looking boy, with smooth, dark skin and hair nearly the same color, and grey eyes.


    If it could be imagined that his interest in Valor was anything other than morbid curiosity, Elwin would have half a mind to encourage it. As they seemed to be about the same age.


    Aster seemed to have something similar in mind when she called Felix over to her, terrifying the boy unintentionally.


    ¡°Maybe you could take Valor¡¯s measurements?¡± Aster said to him softly, but loud enough for Elwin to overhear. ¡°But, with sweet consideration, please. He¡¯s blind and a bit skittish.¡±


    Felix nodded in mute, anxious agreement. He probably would have agreed to anything Aster said at that moment.


    ¡°I am not skittish.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Do it anyway.¡± Nannette said. ¡°Since we are in a hurry. And do it correctly.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes.¡± Felix said. He approached Valor like a newly drafted soldier approaching the front lines, who is actually a pacifist. He held his measuring tape out in front of him like it might possibly, maybe be a snake.


    The prince pried Valor¡¯s hand out of his own and stepped to the side to give the nervous aspiring tailor room to work.


    Valor flexed his hand with a curious expression, as though he had just come to the realization that he was holding on to Prin so hard, and didn¡¯t know what to make of it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He said.


    Prin¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s nothing.¡± But he was flexing his own hand, trying to regain some lost feeling.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to measure you now.¡± Felix said. He looked like such an earnest boy, with his striped shirt rolled up above his elbows and a pencil behind one ear. Come to think of it, Elwin would hesitate to wish a friendship with Valor on him. He didn¡¯t seem to deserve it.


    Valor stood still and allowed it, not saying a thing until the other boy was crouched before him measuring his legs. Valor put his hand on the top of the boy¡¯s head. ¡°I should get to touch you back for every time you touch me.¡±


    ¡°Why? Do you want a job here?¡± Nannette said dryly. She came over to them, perhaps fearing that her assistant was about to be in peril.


    Valor tilted his head to the side. ¡°It¡¯s one of the few senses I have left to enjoy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I don¡¯t mind.¡± Felix held perfectly still.


    Valor removed his hand, making a face that said he did not find this answer satisfying. ¡°I was only kidding.¡±


    ¡°Be good, Val.¡± Prin said. By this point it was his turn to be measured by Lottie. He was only half paying attention to the other people in the room, in the midst of some kind of sensory overload regarding the rows and rows of beautiful clothing.


    Elwin smiled. His little magpie, always drawn to what was shiny and beautiful. And of course, it was easy to forget just about every experience was brand spanking new to him.


    ¡°You should not be wearing such dark clothing.¡± Nannette said bluntly to Valor. ¡°It washes you out completely. Perhaps a nice grey or even lavender.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for the sake of practicality.¡± Valor said. ¡°Otherwise I really couldn¡¯t care less.¡±


    ¡°A big party is a good excuse to be impractical.¡± Aster suggested. ¡°Insanely impractical! Let¡¯s make these boys the belles of the ball.¡±


    Nannette smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t know if they would like quite that much attention.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t hurt them.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t dress like a flower if you don¡¯t want to draw bees.¡± Lottie said.


    ¡°What if honey is exactly what you¡¯re in the mood for?¡± Aster wondered.


    ¡°I could go for some honey. Honey toast.¡± The prince said, hanging onto only the barest fringe of the conversation as he fondled a silk shirt embroidered with purple, pink, and blue flowers.


    ¡°You get fingerprints on it, you buy it.¡± Nannette warned. ¡°Oh yeaaah, unlimited account. Touch away. I¡¯ll put it on your uncle¡¯s tab.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not my un-¡° Before Prin could say he was no relation to Captain Thompson, a loud buzzing sound could be heard. ¡°Wait, where is that coming from?¡±


    Felix was holding a lavender jacket with a shine to the fabric, and as he carried it toward Valor the buzzing grew louder.


    ¡°Is your jacket making noise?¡± Nannette pointed at him, and just as she did, a swarm of bright yellow and black bees exited the pockets and headed towards the unluckiest boy in the world.

 Chapter 61

    A second that lasted a lifetime passed while everyone froze in shock. Then, Felix let out a terrific scream, started to drop the bee producing jacket before catching himself about to damage the merchandise due to temporary bee induced insanity, then caught it again.


    ¡°Is anyone allergic?¡± Nannette asked calmly.


    ¡°Yes, of course I am.¡± Valor said. His blank expression had dropped, revealing a sort of resigned misery. The face of someone getting what he hates, but exactly what he expected.


    Prin grabbed the jacket from Felix and snatched the cloud of bees from the air, all in one motion. This all happened almost too quickly, an astounding show of reflexes.


    Unfortunately, one escaped and was still heading in the direction of Valor, truly showing what the term ¡°beeline¡± was invented for. Aster and Elwin both went after it, knocking into each other in a cartoonish fashion, as they both lunged forward.


    The hapless boy, Felix, stood, mouth agape, frozen again.


    While Elwin was attempting to help Aster, who he had knocked roughly to the floor, and Lottie was opening a hidden side door and motioning Prin through it with his arms full of bees in a jacket, Nannette watched them all from a distance, arms crossed over her chest.


    Valor stood perfectly still. Which would have been a fine strategy for one allergic to bees, if not for his supremely unlucky status.


    Elwin felt time slowing, it was a strange sensation. Aster had a drop of blood at the corner of her mouth and appeared dazed. So, no help there.


    Not knowing what else to do, he pushed Felix, who was standing the closest to Valor, forward, hoping to jar him out of his stupor.


    Felix tripped and fell like a domino, fortunately taking out the bee mid air in the process.


    By the time the prince ran back into the room, face flushed and wincing in pain, everyone was a mess. The only thing left to have happen was someone light a match and set the whole flammable palace of cloth on fire.


    Nannette, who actually was not a mess and had stayed entirely above the fray, struck a match, causing Elwin to immediately imagine himself grabbing Prin and lunging for the side door. She took a little pipe from the breast pocket of her suit and lit the contents, taking a puff and blowing out a little smoke ring.


    ¡°That¡¯s the first time that has happened, I assure you.¡± She said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hear it anymore.¡± Valor said. His already pale complexion had turned roughly the shade of ashes.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone. Got me though.¡± The prince said.


    Felix stood up, holding the crushed bee in his hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He mumbled. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened.¡±


    ¡°You just saved Valor¡¯s life.¡± Elwin told him, hoping he wasn¡¯t resentful about being shoved. It had worked hadn¡¯t it?


    ¡°That, plus the earthquake? Nature itself is in revolt.¡± Lottie said. She looked to the ceiling, hands clasped. As though wondering which gods to pray to to stave off further incidents.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not be dramatic.¡± Nannette said. ¡°I¡¯ll get us some tea. Some of you may need it to steady your nerves.¡±


    Lottie went to Prin and examined his arm. ¡°Get us a cold compress for this.¡± She said. ¡°It¡¯s the best thing for it.¡±


    Aster looked around herself, face registering a sort of mild disorientation. ¡°Do you bring chaos with you wherever you go?¡± She asked Valor. Her tone not accusatory, just a simple question.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Valor began to shake. He took a step backwards into a rack of coats, as though trying to sink into it and disappear. His face had gone from ashen to flushed, or somehow both ashen and flushed at the same time. ¡°I should have never come out today, it was a terrible mistake. It¡¯s not so bad if I stay at home.¡±


    ¡°Oh baby-doll! I¡¯m so sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have said that. I didn¡¯t mean it to be taken so seriously.¡± Aster took a handkerchief from her bodice and dabbed at her bleeding lip. ¡°I just had two falls today, clumsy me.¡± She hurried to Valor¡¯s side. ¡°I guess it scrambled my brains, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re right. It¡¯s all my fault.¡± Valor said. His voice held tears. ¡°If something happened to you, my father would be so upset. What if the next time . . .¡±


    Aster took his arm. ¡°Me!? I¡¯m sure papa would be much more worried about you then he ever would me. I¡¯m a dime a dozen.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°You¡¯re his one and only son.¡±


    ¡°I want to go home. I have to go home right now before anything else happens.¡± Valor said.


    Aster put his arms around the frighten boy. Although Valor tried to wriggle away, she held firm. ¡°Everything is going to be alright.¡±


    ¡°No. No.¡± Valor shook his head violently enough that is glasses fell off and clattered to the floor. ¡°No.¡± His gaze wandered the room aimlessly, eyes side to side and up and down, as though searching for an escape from a centerless labyrinth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go until I am back with the tea.¡± Nannette instructed, before disappearing into the back.


    Prin took his bee stung arm away from Lottie, resisting Elwin¡¯s attempt to detain him and have a look at it for himself, and went to Valor¡¯s side. He firmly moved Felix aside, and went to Valor.


    ¡°Hey now, none of that. No crying.¡± Prin said. He touched Valor¡¯s cheek. ¡°You¡¯re not a baby, remember? I can¡¯t return you to the captain in tears.¡± He picked up Valor¡¯s rose tinted glasses from the floor and held on to them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like all this touching.¡± Valor protested.


    Aster finally let him go. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I messed up again. Just thought you needed a hug.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s all have some tea and relax a minute before we decide to head back.¡± Prin suggested.


    ¡°I was thinking we could go get ice cream after this . . .¡± Aster suggested. ¡°Do you like ice cream? I do. I like the aesthetic of eating strawberry, since it matches my outfit so nicely bu-uut my favorite is chocolate. I think you¡¯d have to be crazy to not like chocolate ice cream, don¡¯t you? What¡¯s your favorite?¡± Aster¡¯s chatter had taken on a nervous tone, anxious to appease the tearful Valor.


    ¡°I just want to go home. I can¡¯t take it. What will happen next? And it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Valor fretted.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡± Prin impulsively kissed Valor¡¯s cheek. ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong, nothing is your fault. In fact, look, your luck has already turned around with me here! And the lucky necklace right? You didn¡¯t get hurt at all!¡±


    Valor was startled enough by the kiss that he momentarily stopped shaking and his eyes stilled from their frightened wandering. ¡°It¡¯s because you sacrificed yourself for me.¡±


    ¡°Na-aah, it was nothing.¡± The prince insisted.


    Nannette returned with a tea cart loaded with delicate china cups and saucers, and homemade cookies, as well as the kettle of hot water, tea and sugar, etc.


    ¡°Glad you¡¯re still here.¡± She said, little pipe hanging jauntily out of the corner of her mouth. ¡°I would hate to see a few bees ruin a good fitting.¡±


    ¡°I still want to go home.¡± Valor said. Calmer now, taking deep breaths.


    ¡°Technically we have what we need, as long as you don¡¯t have any preference for what the clothes look like. I can make sure they fit. We could come to your house before the party and make final adjustments.¡± Nannette said. She poured herself some tea, adding an ungodly amount of sugar cubes to the cup.


    Lottie began to pour tea for the others, handing them out along with cookies.


    ¡°We usually don¡¯t offer this to customers.¡± Nannette warned.


    ¡°In other words, don¡¯t spill on the clothes.¡± Lottie said. ¡°I¡¯m sure they won¡¯t.¡± She added.


    ¡°Man, am I as useless as tits on a boar hog.¡± Felix said, instantly turning red at the uncouthness of what he had said.


    Aster laughed. Charmed by his country side coming out.


    ¡°It all happened very fast.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Felix got the last bee that escaped from Prin.¡± He wondered how much of everything that happened Valor had been able to follow without being able to see. Beyond, bees equal bad.


    ¡°I know.¡± Valor said.


    Elwin went to Prin and examined the angry red swollen place on his arm. ¡°This doesn¡¯t look great.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± The prince assured.


    Nannette handed him a towel full of ice to hold on his arm.


    ¡°Does anyone have tweezers?¡± Aster asked. ¡°In case there¡¯s a stinger.¡±


    Lottie dug around in a drawer and produced some tweezers, handing them over to Aster.


    The prince held out his arm for Aster to examine, turning his face away.


    Aster removed the stinger and kissed his arm. ¡°There, all better. It¡¯s a lucky thing you aren¡¯t allergic yourself. Did you know?¡±


    ¡°Come to think of it, no.¡± Prin¡¯s blue eyes widened to swallow the sun. ¡°I had no idea. It just didn¡¯t even occur to me to think about it.¡±


    ¡°What a good friend you are.¡± Aster said sweetly. ¡°Little Valor, you are so lucky to have him.¡±


    ¡°Are we really friends?¡± Valor wondered. He held the china teacup carefully in both hands, blowing on the tea before taking a sip.


    ¡°Of course we are silly.¡± Prin shook his head.


    ¡°I guess a paid friend is better than nothing.¡± Valor said.


    Aster rolled her eyes and gave Elwin a look like, how can you stand to put up with this kid?


    Elwin just shrugged.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t capture bees for someone I didn¡¯t like.¡± The prince said dryly.


    Nannette snorted a laugh, causing tea to come out of her nose. She started coughing and Lottie patted her back.


    Aster put her hand over her mouth, trying to hold the laughter in.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Nannette said, ¡°You can laugh. I don¡¯t take myself so seriously.¡±


    ¡°I really thought you did.¡± Felix pointed out.


    Aster burst out laughing and soon Prin and Felix had joined her.


    Valor quietly sipped his tea. Elwin could see he was calmer now, and maybe they would get through today.


    But, between the bad luck induced disasters and the emotional melt downs, Elwin had to wonder how in the hell they would get through the night of the party.


    At least they would be well dressed.

 Chapter 62

    Elwin, Prin, and Valor managed to make it back to Valor¡¯s home without further incident.


    That is, if you don¡¯t count a freak thunderstorm, a runaway carriage, or a herd of leering drunken pirates that had just docked and didn¡¯t know how to behave, and a brief brush with a runaway leaf fire.


    Luckily home was only a short walk from the tailor¡¯s shop, and somehow no one was hurt on the journey.


    Poor bedraggled Aster said her goodbyes at the end of their block before turning back to town, her jaunty candy colored dress soaked, despite the umbrella, and torn. Hair and makeup mussed and slightly concussed. She kissed Prin on the cheek goodbye and hugged Elwin, only eyeing Valor warily with a wan smile. She vowed to see them again in two days at the party, if not before.


    As soon as they were safely inside, Valor collected his cats and went straight to his room to take to his bed, without saying a word to anyone. Prin had made a move to follow him, but ended up taking to his own bed instead. With, perhaps, a bit of an allergic reaction to the bee sting after all. At least, Elwin hoped that was all it was.


    Elwin went away to the kitchen and brought Prin another cold compress for his arm as well as some medicinal tea.


    He helped Prin off with his boots and outer garments and under the covers in the soft bed. Elwin fluffed the pillows up under Prin¡¯s head, getting a strange twinge of nostalgia for their old lives.


    ¡°I feel like . . . that went poorly.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Yes. Maybe an understatement. But, no one died.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s always a good day when no one died.¡±


    Prin laughed, ending in a cough. ¡°Thank you for putting it into perspective. Not for lack of opportunity though.¡±


    ¡°Near misses don¡¯t even count.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Na-aahh.¡± Elwin waved his hand. He didn¡¯t even want to begin to think how they would get through that party. But that was another day¡¯s problem.


    ¡°Check on Valor, he¡¯s upset I¡¯m sure.¡± The prince said. He sipped his tea, making a face at its bitterness.


    ¡°Do I have to? He¡¯ll be fine now that he¡¯s home.¡± Elwin said. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want me anyway.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid of him. He¡¯s just a rude child.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll be in to see him afterwhile, I might take a little nap first. Okay?¡± Prin said.


    Elwin stood to leave the room but turned back abruptly. ¡°Are you-Are you really okay?¡±


    Prin frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t need to always be asking me that.¡±


    Elwin sat down beside him on the bed and touched the blanket over his belly. ¡°You aren¡¯t hungry . . . are you?¡±


    Prin laughed ruefully. ¡°I am actually, but it¡¯s just because we missed lunch and didn¡¯t get any while we were out.¡± He put his hand over Elwin¡¯s.


    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s right! I¡¯ll go see what they have in the kitchen.¡± Elwin jumped up abruptly and headed for the door.


    ¡°S¡¯okay.¡± Prin rolled over on his side, burrowing his head into the pillows. ¡°I¡¯m gonna nap first anyway. Go see how Valor is doing.¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    Elwin sighed, long suffering but he couldn¡¯t help it. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Elwin went quickly through the house to Valor¡¯s room. He still did not know what to make of the kid, every time he could feel sympathy for him growing, he would just do or say something obnoxious that would ruin the whole thing. And while wearing his obvious crush on Elwin¡¯s prince directly on his sleeve, he wouldn¡¯t put it past him to do something to put Prin on the spot. The first time he would touch Prin inappropriately, he would not be getting a second opportunity.


    Elwin realized how irrational he was being to get so angry at Valor for just being a brat, and liking someone who he himself found imminently likable, but still. Nothing about it was comfortable for Elwin, and he might as well let himself admit it.


    Even so he wouldn¡¯t dream of going against Prin¡¯s wishes and not checking on the boy. Although, didn¡¯t he have a family for that?


    Elwin knocked softly on the door, and when no answer came he knocked a little harder. Finally he opened the door just a crack, releasing a small beam of light into the world of darkness within.


    ¡°It¡¯s Elwin?¡± He didn¡¯t know why he made that into a question. ¡°I¡¯m coming in.¡±


    He opened the door wider, increasing the beam of light. ¡°Is everything alright? Do you want something to eat?¡±


    Valor was huddled on the wide windowsill, wrapped in a throw blanket. He seemed to be still dressed in his rain wettened shoes and clothes from when they were out.


    The two cats played with a feather at his feet, swirling together like a two headed shadow.


    Oh great, he really did need to be checked on. Prin would never forgive him if he didn¡¯t do this right. And besides, another arrow of nostalgia pierced right through him. The fragile boy on the window seat. A familiar scene indeed.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to light a couple of lamps, okay?¡± Elwin lit them. If nothing else, then so he wouldn¡¯t trip over anything. ¡°Prin sends his regards. He¡¯s just taking a little nap now. I guess it¡¯s been a really long day . . . for everyone.¡± He laughed awkwardly. ¡°Not that anyone blames you.¡± Elwin could kick himself for saying that, drawing attention to the fact that someone might potentially blame him.


    ¡°This is what always happens.¡± Valor said. ¡°The longer I hide away in my own little corner . . . it¡¯s like it builds up. So when I do go out, boom.¡±


    ¡°Is that how it works . . ?¡± Elwin saw no way to refute it, given the evidence of the day. It was a preposterous number of disasters, so a preposterous explanation almost seemed logical. ¡°No one is angry with you.¡± He didn¡¯t know what other comfort to offer.


    ¡°They should be.¡± Valor said. ¡°They should be . . .¡± He rested his head on his knees in a posture of childish defeat.


    ¡°No. No they shouldn¡¯t.¡± Elwin took a couple of hesitant steps farther into the room, closing the door behind him. ¡°We can all see what this is like for you. Prin . . . won¡¯t give up, he has barely gotten started, but he won¡¯t give up on fixing-on helping you with this. That¡¯s something you should know about him, Prin is very stubborn. When he sets his mind to something, look out. And he cares about solving-he cares about you.¡± Hell, what had he done? Fanning the flames of the crush for sure. But he just seemed so sad. A minute ago Elwin had dreaded even coming in here, but now he was ensnared again. And at the moment he wasn¡¯t so sure that he didn¡¯t care about the boy too.


    He needed all the love he could get. Like a mangy feral kitten.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡± Valor said. ¡°Just being around me is bad enough. The last person who cared about me . . . Well, everyone says he just left the island. Must have done.¡±


    Elwin closed the distance further, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking slightly up at the boy on the window ledge. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°He disappeared.¡± Valor said simply. But those two words held more ominous vibes then an entire dictionary. ¡°He was my friend, he read to me. Well, more than friends . . .¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Elwin was a bit shocked, but tried to keep it out of his voice.


    ¡°So don¡¯t say Prin cares about me. Or he might ¡°run away¡± too. And leave all his belongings behind . . . Including money. And a smell. A sweat-blood-fear smell.¡± Valor shook his head. ¡°Never mind, just never mind it anyway. I¡¯m not allowed to have something like that . . .¡±


    ¡°Did anyone look for him?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Do I seem like I can look for someone!?¡± Valor yelled. ¡°With who¡¯s eyes!?¡± He lifted his head towards Elwin, his eyes full of nothing glaring vaguely in his direction.


    He had done it now. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Do you want a bath? The rain . . ?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Valor said, voice gone quiet again, deflated.


    ¡°How about I just help you change your clothes then?¡± Elwin offered. ¡°And bring you some hot soup?¡±


    ¡°No. Leave me alone.¡± Valor buried his head in his knees again. The long-furred cat sat on his foot and purred.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t sit there in wet clothes.¡± Elwin said. ¡°After you get changed, I could read to you.¡±


    ¡°Get out of here!¡± Valor yelled. ¡°You¡¯re making me wish I was dead!¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Elwin stood up and went toward the door. His hand on the knob, he had an epiphany. ¡°Do you want me to look for him?¡±


    Valor began to laugh, softly at first but rising into a hysterical crescendo.


    Elwin was barely able to dodge the shoe that was thrown at him on the way out the door. He heard it thump against the wooden door as he closed it behind himself.

 Chapter 63

    The prince stood outside of Valor¡¯s door, trying to prepare himself for a difficult situation. It was hard to believe that Elwin, usually so much better at this kind of thing than himself, had screwed it up so badly. By his own admission. Prin didn¡¯t know what had been said.


    He considered knocking, rejected it. Prin opened the door to see the oil lamps that Elwin must have lit still burning. Like two embers in a piece of coal. It was dark outside now, so there was no point in opening the curtains.


    The captain and Mrs. Frances had been afraid to come in, depending on Prin to diffuse the situation. They depended on him too much, and much too quickly.


    Valor was laying in the bed, on top of the covers, slowly drying clothes matted to his body.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± He asked, without bothering to open his eyes, for what was the point.


    ¡°It¡¯s Prin. I don¡¯t feel so good myself, I thought you could take care of me.¡± Prin sat down on the edge of the bed and kicked off his boots. He hadn¡¯t bothered to get dressed again, instead walking over to Valor¡¯s room in his nightshirt with a warm knitted shawl draped over his shoulders. It was a little inappropriate maybe, but why stand on ceremony, the boy couldn¡¯t see that he was half naked anyway. And he really wasn¡¯t in the mood for this.


    Valor laughed, a hoarse unpleasant sound. ¡°You¡¯re messing with me. I do have to admit it¡¯s funny, though.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m being serious. Elwin is off doing chores for your father.¡± Prin lied. ¡°And I don¡¯t know if you knew this? If I told you already? But I used to be really quite sickly and sometimes . . . I guess I over do it a little and have a relapse of sorts.¡±


    ¡°I hope you didn¡¯t catch a cold because of me.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Why would it be because of you?¡± Prin asked. ¡°No, this just happens sometimes.¡± He really did hope it wasn¡¯t what happened sometimes. He ate before he came over to Valor¡¯s room, but he could eat again.


    ¡°Oh. What can I do for you?¡± Valor asked. He sat up, that languid graceful movement, showing again a sort of what could have been in this young man¡¯s life. The beauty of form, the agile movement. He could have been someone to be reckoned with, in one way or another.


    Er, differently to how he was reckoned with now.


    ¡°Maybe we can ¨C Do you have a bell or something that we can ring for assistance? How about we have a bath? And then maybe something sweet? Cake or pastries.¡± Prin suggested. ¡°This was always my method for feeling better after a bad day.¡±


    ¡°A bath together?¡± Valor asked. Twin rosettes of color appeared on his scarred cheeks.


    Prin shrugged, realizing he couldn¡¯t see it. ¡°Either way, doesn¡¯t matter to me. I¡¯m not shy.¡±


    ¡°Are you a fool?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re the shy one. I already saw you naked when I helped you get dressed. What¡¯s the big deal?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°You are a fool.¡± Valor said decisively.


    ¡°Alright, scrap heap that idea then.¡± Prin said. ¡°What do you do to feel better?¡± He flopped down across the foot of the bed like a loyal old dog. ¡°I bet you don¡¯t have any better suggestions.¡± Prin got back up quickly and went to Valor¡¯s wardrobe. ¡°You have to get changed anyway, that¡¯s the main thing.¡±


    ¡°What do I do?¡± Valor asked. ¡°I wish I knew. You know what two people do in a bath together? Grown people. We aren¡¯t kids. I¡¯m not a kid. If you know what I¡¯m talking about then . . .¡±


    ¡°I have trouble thinking of you as not a kid. I don¡¯t mean anything negative by it, though. I see you as a kid ¨C young person, with a lot of potential. A world of it.¡± Prin chose a plain black cotton night gown for Valor, he hadn¡¯t even known they came in that color. There were also grey ones but that seemed even more drab somehow.


    ¡°Yes, and you have your precious Elwin. I know.¡± Valor said. ¡°I just don¡¯t accept it as an impediment.¡±


    Prin felt like they were having two different conversations on top of each other, but there wasn¡¯t much he could do about that. ¡°Take your clothes off and put this on, you contrary critter.¡± He threw the nightshirt at Valor.


    It landed on his head, a direct hit, startling a laugh out of him that was more genuine. ¡°Where did you learn to talk like that?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Probably from a book.¡± Prin said. ¡°Or maybe from Squeaks, he was the cabin boy on the ship that brought us here.¡± Where had he heard that?


    ¡°It was a rhetorical question.¡± Valor struggled out of his clothes and into the nightshirt. ¡°Will you stay with me tonight?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Prin said, meaning no.


    ¡°Please.¡± The earnestness in his voice was endearing. Prin wondered if the events of the day had caused further cracks in the boy¡¯s hard shell. He wasn¡¯t very good at hiding behind that thing anyway


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    ¡°For a little while, I guess. Let¡¯s read and eat snacks, okay? You¡¯re supposed to be taking care of me, remember?¡± Prin said.


    Elwin couldn¡¯t sleep without his prince, and he had no intention of trying. It¡¯s not like he didn¡¯t know where to find him. At midnight he got impatient.


    The house was dark and quiet, and it felt really strange to be walking through it in this state. Especially someone else¡¯s house, that he wasn¡¯t even completely familiar with yet. What ghosts traveled these halls? What secrets could one unwillingly walk in on?


    He shook it out of his mind, but no sooner he did, then he heard rustling and banging around in the front room. The room he had been spending a lot of time cleaning and organizing. Like a giant rat.


    Elwin decided to be sneaky. He didn¡¯t know what came over him in moments like these, since he really didn¡¯t consider himself that kind of person. But here he went anyway.


    The door was already opened a crack and meager candlelight leaked from it and into the hallway.


    ¡°Damn it! Damn it straight to the underworld!¡± Someone cursed from inside.


    There was Devil Dru, clearly speaking in her native tongue, and looking annoyed as she dug through a trunk of old rags.


    She looked, strangely enough, more attractive then usual off her guard. She was wearing her boots with her white night dress tucked into leather leggings. And her dark hair was artfully disheveled. Elwin suddenly knew what was different about her. She was absent the smug look of superiority that ever hovered.  She must be having a hard time.


    Also, she was messing up the tidy piles he had been struggling to form.


    Elwin rapped lightly on the door, not wanting to startle her. Though he wasn¡¯t sure why he should care, after she had done it to him. And would again, no doubt.


    Dru turned around, and her cocky grin resurfaced for a moment before she pouted out her lower lip. ¡°Hey, you.¡± She said.


    ¡°Hey. Whatcha doing?¡± Elwin asked. Then, feeling too casual the first time. ¡°What are you doing?¡± He corrected. ¡°I had that mess straightened out. Well, a little anyway. And now look at it.¡±


    ¡°Oh what do you care? It¡¯s job security aint it?¡± Dru stuck out her tongue. ¡°Help me out, kid, help me out! I guess I¡¯m sort of expected now to go to that party and I don¡¯t have anything to wear.¡± She held out the handful of tattered disintegrating lace that was once a dress, or part of one anyway. ¡°Isn¡¯t there anything in all this junk that could pass for a party dress?¡±


    Elwin realized the other thing that was missing from her, her glasses. They had defined her face and she looked almost a different person without them on. ¡°There are a lot of old clothes, although I think most of them are the captain¡¯s from his young swashbuckling days.¡±


    ¡°That would be okay!¡± Dru said. ¡°I prefer to wear men¡¯s clothes anyway, truth to tell. I was just trying to humor the old man.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think he would mind?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Why would he mind! They¡¯re just going to waste in here.¡± Dru said. ¡°Help me look. Help me look.¡±


    Elwin sighed. He supposed he might as well. He thought he remembered seeing some clothes in a certain box and moved some things around to get to it. ¡°You¡¯re always snooping around in here, is there something specific you¡¯re trying to find?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Party clothes, I already told you.¡± Dru said, digging further into the trunk, down deep where the good stuff surely lay.


    ¡°No, I mean in general. Not just today.¡± Elwin said. It wasn¡¯t any business of his really, but still, he had been dying to know.


    ¡°Oh, you know, gold and gems. Pirate treasure, of a generalized nature. Nothing specific.¡± Dru said nonchalantly.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that stealing from your uncle?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Na-aah.¡± Dru said. ¡°Nah. Ooo, look at this!¡± She pulled out a green velvet jacket full of shiny gold and silver buckles, with wide embroidered cuffs. Only a little moth eaten.


    ¡°You will be the most interesting looking girl there, for sure.¡± Elwin said. He did think she could pull it off. If she didn¡¯t mind looking like a man, which she didn¡¯t seem to. A man from a hundred years ago.


    Dru grinned cheesily. ¡°Cool.¡±


    Elwin pulled out a handful of silk scarves and a lacy veil. ¡°You can do something with these maybe? This one¡¯s blue and green.¡± He showed her one with a swirling pattern.


    ¡°I wonder if the cap¡¯n will get all nostalgic when he sees me decked out in this?¡± Dru said.


    Elwin laughed. ¡°Maybe. He might draw a sword on you.¡±


    Devil Dru laughed so hard she had to hold her side against a sudden stitch. ¡°Old man! I¡¯d like to see him try.¡±


    ¡°He still has it in him.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t get on his bad side.¡±


    Dru lightly punched him on the shoulder. ¡°Just see that you don¡¯t.¡± She went back to digging for more pieces to complete her look.


    ¡°He-ey, didn¡¯t your uncle give you money for a dress?¡± Elwin suddenly remembered.


    Dru shook her head. ¡°You think I would spend all that on a dress?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, no, I guess not.¡± Elwin did not think that, now that she mentioned it.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s long gone.¡± Dru said, voice faint coming from where her head was near the bottom of the deep chest. ¡°Why buy something stupid like a dress, when there¡¯s fun to be had?¡±


    ¡°Good luck there, I¡¯ll see ya later.¡± Elwin said, backing away toward the door. It was later, and he was tired after the long day. He was suddenly tempted to take the time to tell Dru all about the string of bizarrities they had encountered while out with Valor. But, no, it was too late to get into all that. Not tonight.


    ¡°Thanks for the help.¡± Dru called after him, lifting up one hand to wave behind her.


    Elwin continued on in his original mission, and when he got to Valor¡¯s room he simply opened the door and went in. The room was quiet and nearly dark again, the last oil lamp sputtering lazily in the dark.


    Valor was in bed, laying with one arm underneath his head and one hand in Prin¡¯s.


    The prince had fallen asleep next to him, his head bent awkwardly over an open book, and his hand occupied.


    ¡°He must be sleeping really well.¡± Elwin whispered.


    ¡°Yes, don¡¯t wake him.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking him back to our room.¡± Elwin said. ¡°He¡¯s no good to you now anyway.¡± Meaning now that his eyes were shut, and he couldn¡¯t read.


    ¡°I have no problem with you, not really.¡± Valor said, voice back to the deadpan iciness that was its default.


    ¡°Okay?¡± Elwin had no idea where he was going with this. Was he after an apology for earlier? Elwin bent and put his arms around Prin, preparing to pick him up and carry him, as he had done so many times.


    ¡°But if you try to take him away from me, we will fight.¡± Valor said. ¡°I will fight you for him.¡±


    ¡°Right now?¡± It was too late at night for this shit.


    ¡°No, not right now. In general.¡± Valor corrected.


    ¡°Oh, okay, see you tomorrow then.¡± Elwin said awkwardly. What did one say to that?


    He picked up Prin, staggering slightly under the weight but trying hard to hold steady. How had he forgotten this wasn¡¯t so easy anymore? Thank the gods it wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°I just thought that you should know.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Duly noted.¡± Elwin carried Prin away.


    Even as tired as he was, it was hard to get to sleep that night for thinking of the odd boy and what he could have possibly meant. Between him and his almost as odd cousin, the house was full of mysteries and wonders.

 Chapter 64

    The night before the big social event of the season, the prince was looking over his interview questions. He hoped he hadn¡¯t forgotten an important one. Of course, he would use the opportunity to try and get a longer, a real, appointment for later. But what if it didn¡¯t work out? What if this was his only chance to interrogate this particular witch.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make it into an interrogation.¡± Elwin advised, as if on cue. ¡°You¡¯ll scare her off and she¡¯ll avoid you like the plague for the rest of the night.¡±


    ¡°Number one: Are you, have you ever met, or have you even heard of a witch who could shape shift from an adolescent to an old lady? And can lay extremely powerful curses which transform the victim¡¯s entire body? Or even, either of those things independently of the other? She may also be traveling on a boat with an ugly mermaid figurehead.¡± Prin forged ahead.


    ¡°She¡¯s not a genie, you don¡¯t have to ask her a question so complete that it avoids any loopholes.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And isn¡¯t that a little heavy for cocktail conversation?¡±


    ¡°Number two: Do you have a spell for seeking out the whereabouts of a specific person? Even if all the information you have on the person is contained within question number one?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°That is a good one.¡± Elwin was forced to acknowledge. ¡°You¡¯ll have to get her alone somehow to ask her such in depth questions, though. It doesn¡¯t seem like she would want to get into it in front of a room full of guests. And especially admit it if she can¡¯t do anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m prepared that any of her answers may be lies.¡± Prin assured. ¡°Number three: Have you ever been to a kingdom named TallHillde? This is meant to startled her, see? In case she is the witch, in a shapeshifted form or knows more then she is letting on. I feel like if she says no, and it¡¯s a lie, I¡¯ll at least be able to tell it in her face. In fact, maybe this question would have a better impact if it was number one? Just come straight out swinging, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Yes, maybe so.¡± Elwin said. His brows were creased again. Prin could tell when he was worried, it was always written right on his face.


    The prince put his hand over Elwin¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He said firmly. Although, he didn¡¯t feel fine, not exactly. But he could get through this day before figuring out . . . what to do next. ¡°And I won¡¯t get us kicked out of the party. As far as embarrassing you?¡± He gave Elwin a cheesy grin. ¡°No guarantees.¡±


    Elwin laughed. ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that. I just hope you have some fun, you know? And don¡¯t expect too all firing much from this so-called witch. She may not be much of one anyway, more of a bull shit artist.¡±


    ¡°We know they exist. There have to be more than one ¨C two ¨C different witches out there.¡± Prin admired Elwin¡¯s skepticism, but sometimes, with the goal in mind of helping Prin avoid disappointment, it got to be too much. Even if she isn¡¯t real, that doesn¡¯t mean she doesn¡¯t know something.¡±


    ¡°People around here seem to think she is good at reading cards and giving advice.¡± Elwin acknowledged. But his voice said, of course, people are stupid.


    ¡°I would love to have my future told! Wouldn¡¯t that be interesting?¡± Prin endeavored to waggle his eyebrows suggestively, a skill he had yet to master. ¡°But I suppose that would be something I would have to make an appointment for .  . .¡±


    ¡°I believe that¡¯s the accepted method.¡± Elwin agreed.


    ¡°However . . . this is me we¡¯re talking about here.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put it past you to get a reading on the spot.¡± Elwin grinned.


    ¡°I do-o tend to get my own way.¡± Prin teased.


    Elwin reached out to the prince and pulled him close, stealing a quick kiss. ¡°We had better try and get some rest.¡± He said.


    Prin¡¯s stomach did a happy seasick little flip flop, which hopefully was just as a result of the kiss. ¡°If we even can sleep!¡±


    ¡°I can.¡± Elwin assured. He fluffed the pillows and settled into them. ¡°Have you tucked Valor in?¡± Prin could tell he was half teasing, half serious when he asked it.


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s asleep, I¡¯m pretty sure.¡± Prin said. ¡°What¡¯s with you two?¡± He laughed, shaking his head at the same time.


    Elwin¡¯s eyes looked startled, and a shade of pink spread across his cheeks. ¡°I guess there is a sort of rivalry there. Even if it is one sided? It¡¯s like he wants me to compete with him, but to do that would be acknowledging him as some kind of rival. Like a real one. Which is what he wants. But I just can¡¯t see it that way. Still, it bothers me more then it should.¡± He spoke haltingly, as though Prin had been dragging something out of him he would rather not talk about. Something embarrassing to say the least.


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    Prin blinked, his mind trying to digest what Elwin was saying.


    ¡°I just meant, I don¡¯t know how the two of you can sleep with the big party tomorrow hanging over our heads. So much excitement and all.


    Elwin¡¯s cheeks turned a deeper shade of crimson.


    Prin giggled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for laughing. Do you really think you need to fight over me? With a child. This is too much.¡±


    ¡°Child? More like demon seed.¡± Elwin grumbled. ¡°Also, he¡¯s not that much younger than we are. Just ¡®cause he dresses like he stole his wardrobe from a toddler . . .¡± Elwin couldn¡¯t look Prin in the eye. ¡°Also, he is very determined.¡±


    The prince put his hand on Elwin¡¯s cheek. ¡°It¡¯s one of his better qualities, though misguided in this instance.¡±


    Elwin put his own hand over Prin¡¯s. ¡°This is just hard for me. I¡¯m not used to having to share you. And of course I knew from the moment we left the Vulture that others would fall in love with you the way that I have, and I would have to come to grips with it. I just can¡¯t.¡± His brown eyes were so earnest, like a hound puppy. Would he start howling like one next?


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we have this same conversation after we met Aster? I feel the same way about you.¡± Prin said. ¡°Even before we left the castle, I could see the way people looked ¨C¡°


    Elwin interrupted him with another kiss.


    This one lingered a little longer then was usual, leaving Prin slightly breathless and with an ache for more. Which was also unusual. He wondered if it was his turn to blush. ¡°Let¡¯s go to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow will be a long day, I have a feeling.¡± Elwin agreed. He tucked the blanket in around Prin.


    ¡°Yes, I think you¡¯re right. No matter what happens it will be a big day.¡± Prin said.


    *


    The morning started off with a knock at the door of their bedroom. Elwin rolled toward Prin and threw his arm over him protectively.


    ¡°Just a minute.¡± Elwin mumbled at the door. Noisy door, interrupting a good sleep. Just as the dream was getting interesting too. It should mind its business.


    The door swung open, creaky on its aged and slightly rusted hinges.


    Elwin felt a hand on his head and then his arm, a light touch heavier than a butterfly but not so heavy as a jumping mouse. He cracked one eye open.


    Valor was standing there, hunched over in his night shirt and slippers, chewing on his lower lip. His entire posture spelled out anguished anxiety. ¡°Prin, Prin . . .¡± He whispered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to whisper.¡± Elwin said. He took Valor¡¯s reaching hand out of the air, hovering over him, and placed it on Prin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter!?¡± Valor yelled, volume suddenly going from one to a hundred.


    ¡°Mmm, Val, what?¡± Prin asked sleepily. He scootched over to the middle of the bed, and pulled Valor¡¯s light form into the bed beside him. ¡°It¡¯s too early.¡±


    Valor allowed himself to be pulled, but clearly was in no mood to relax. He practically vibrated with intensity. He rolled over to face Prin until their noses were nearly touching. ¡°I can¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡± Prin patted the boy¡¯s disheveled copper-gold hair, smoothing it down.


    ¡°This! This! This entire day. I¡¯m calling it off. I will stay home. You can do what you want of course, but I don¡¯t see why anyone would want to go to a big party.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Well . . . there will be fascinating people there. And food and drinks.¡± Prin began.


    ¡°There will be food poisoning, a wild animal invasion, a masked robber, not to mention all the trip hazards and rude inquisitive people. Also maybe something like a sinkhole that will swallow the entire house in one big gulp.¡± Valor said. ¡°And I can¡¯t understand what people are saying with all the background noise and people talking over each other.¡±


    Elwin felt like he had heard this conversation enough times over the last couple days to be able to predict which word would come next with at least a 90% accuracy. But he had nothing to add and should have just kept his mouth shut. However . . . ¡°Okay, forget it. I¡¯ll just be Prin¡¯s date, since you aren¡¯t coming.¡± Elwin said. ¡°We¡¯ll have so much fun we might not come back until morning.¡± He could tell his delivery was off, the words a bit dry and clogged with sleep, but hopefully it still had the intended result.


    This produced an angry exhale of breath from Valor, who no doubt knew he was being manipulated but couldn¡¯t help himself anyway.


    ¡°I have that good luck charm we¡¯ve been working on.¡± Prin said. ¡°You¡¯ll have that in your pocket. And my lucky necklace. Not to mention the lucky me on your arm!¡± He laughed. ¡°El just wants to hog me for himself, you hear that?¡±


    Valor frowned, more of a pout then anything. He inched slightly forward until his nose bumped into Prin¡¯s.


    ¡°You¡¯re definitely coming with us.¡± Prin assured. ¡°But if you didn¡¯t we would still be going anyway, and have a good time without you. Valor, you don¡¯t want to miss out on absolutely everything your entire life. You have to be defiant, as I know you can be. It¡¯s like practically your specialty! Openly defiant of this curse, right?¡±


    ¡°Show the curse who¡¯s boss.¡± Elwin teased. He didn¡¯t care much himself if Valor came along or not, and frankly preferred if he didn¡¯t. However, Prin would take it as a personal failure, and he couldn¡¯t have that happen.


    ¡°It will be an adventure!¡± Prin assured. ¡°And I can¡¯t wait to see us all dressed up in the fancy clothes from that shop. We will find you some other young people from the neighborhood to talk to, it will be a good time to get an introduction.¡±


    ¡°Rich men¡¯s children should be your ideal demographic.¡± Elwin said. Although secretly he was not sure that they had been brought up to have the highest tolerance for weird, so who could say how that would turn out.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be foisted off on strangers.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°There¡¯s that spirit of defiance we all know and love!¡± Prin said enthusiastically. He put his arms around Valor and snuggled him close.


    ¡°Now, can we sleep for another hour? It¡¯s barely the ass crack of dawn.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin laughed. ¡°Oh you. I¡¯m mu-uuch too wide awake now to go back to sleep.¡±


    ¡°The ass crack of dawn?¡± Valor commented. ¡°I¡¯ll have to use that one from now on.¡± He lay still, content to wallow in Prin¡¯s affection and lay in his arms as long as he could get away with.


    Elwin, on the other side of Prin, nuzzled into his back and closed his eyes. ¡°I think it¡¯s two against one.¡±


    ¡°Pffft.¡± Prin said. ¡°I seem to be stuck.¡±


    ¡°Outnumbered, is the word you were looking for.¡± Valor said. He closed his eyes too, feigning sleep.


    ¡°O-kay, fine.¡± Prin said. ¡°Harumph.¡±

 Chapter 65

    Prin guessed he did drift off, in the middle of the sandwich, even though he never would have guessed he could. There was something so much more soft and sweet about Valor while he was sleeping. Like the oversize kitten he sometimes resembled. Prin found himself cuddling him close like a teddy bear. And he didn¡¯t feel at all odd about it, until that is, their morning sleep was once again interrupted.


    The brief knock was so directly proceeded by belligerent footsteps stomping into the room, that his mind didn¡¯t even have time to process the knocking.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing with my brother!?¡± Wrena demanded to know, her squeaky yet sulky voice somehow reaching a brand new octave.


    Prin cracked an eye open and was startled to find the young woman¡¯s face within biting distance of his own.


    Her hair was in curlers and her dressing robe gaped to reveal an intricate night gown covered in lace and at least three colors of ribbons. She was pretty, objectively speaking, but came across as trying too hard.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± Valor said, not moving from his cozy spot within Prin¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Not doing anything.¡± Prin said. He wasn¡¯t sure Valor¡¯s response was really the best way to smooth over the situation.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to appease her, Prin. She doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Valor said coldly.


    ¡°You know my brother isn¡¯t right in the head! Not to mention he isn¡¯t even fifteen yet. This is not good. This is so not good. Just wait until my father finds out about this!¡± Wrena put her hands on her hips and glared.


    ¡°Finds out about what?¡± Prin asked. He felt distinctly pronounced guilty, but of what crime he had no idea. He felt Elwin shift behind him, and make a small, annoyed sound in his throat. ¡°Wait a second, not right in the head?¡± He felt a surge of protectiveness for Valor. This was supposed to be his sister?


    ¡°You know very well what I¡¯m talking about!¡± Wrena exclaimed.


    ¡°You won¡¯t tell anyone anything.¡± Valor said. ¡°I know where the bodies are buried and you know it. Now leave us alone. It¡¯s not like you actually care anyway.¡±


    ¡°Father will have you sent to jail! If he doesn¡¯t kill you first.¡± Wrena said confidently.


    ¡°Go ahead and tell him then. He will just write Prin into his will and adopt him.¡± Valor smirked.


    ¡°If you think he would approve of this you really are touched in the head!¡± Wrena for the first time directly addressed her brother.


    ¡°Approve of what? What¡¯s going on here?¡± Prin was wide awake now, but no less confused.


    ¡°Alright. This has gone on long enough.¡± Elwin got out of his side of the bed and walked over to the other side. ¡°Up you go.¡± He took Valor by the arms and lifted him from the bed. He ushered him toward the door. ¡°Both of you, take your squabbling act on the road.¡± He turned to Wrena on the way past her. ¡°Don¡¯t come in here like that. Both of you. Okay?¡±


    ¡°This is my house!¡± Wrena sputtered. ¡°I can go where I please.¡±


    ¡°You know very well nothing nefarious happened between Prin and your brother, you¡¯re just raising a stink to be dramatic. And you,¡± He turned back to Valor. ¡°Are egging her on because you think it¡¯s funny. Now, that¡¯s all we have to say on the matter.¡± He opened the door.


    Valor went through it. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you at breakfast.¡± He said mildly.


    Wrena went to follow him but turned back. ¡°Oh, wait. I meant to tell you that the tailors are here with your outfits.¡± She went through the door and turned to face Elwin and get one extra last word in. ¡°I¡¯ll have my eye on the two of ¨C¡±


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Before she could even finish, Elwin shut the door in her face and latched it. ¡°We should keep this door locked from now on.¡±


    *


    The boy stood with his back stone column straight, clutching the charm tightly in his hand.


    His suit was grey with a silky silver shine wherever the light hit it. The jacket went only to his waist, accentuating his already long slender legs into the elegant legs of a deer. His boots were green leather, like his hooves were only hidden in the grass. His shirt, longer than the jacket, and softly flowing, was pale pink with flowers and greenery painted on in a wavy semi abstract manner, like a garden seen through a rain washed window. He had even allowed a dusting of makeup to be applied to smooth the appearance of his scars but insisted he needed to keep his pink glasses on, for the comfort of his eyes against harsh and unfamiliar lighting.


    The captain had provided a small chest of glittering jewels and baubles, no doubt ill gotten gains from long ago, for the young people to pick over. Prin had chosen from this a gold and green enamel snake bracelet to clasp around the boy¡¯s wrist.


    The handmade charm the boy was holding consisted of a bag made from a lace handkerchief that had been owned and carried by Valor¡¯s dead mother, and was filled with mementos that Prin had read, or just assumed, would bring good luck. A lock of hair from his father, for protection, as well as a paw print on paper from each of his furry familiars. A tiny horseshoe charm, that Prin had heard, contrary to popular belief, actually represented the womb of the goddess from which they had all sprung, and therefor the ultimate in amulets for children, and mothers. As well as whatever else Prin could think of that would be small enough to fit in the little palm sized bag.


    ¡°That¡¯s supposed to go in your pocket.¡± Prin took the little bag from his hand and tucked it into the hidden inner pocket of the suit jacket. He straightened his own lucky coin necklace around the boy¡¯s neck.


    Valor was being very passive in all this, and Prin hoped that he was hanging in there. But was afraid to directly ask.


    Valor switched his hand to clutching the necklace.


    ¡°You look amazing, gorgeous.¡± Prin said. Even this did not chisel a smile out of his pale stony face.


    Prin temporarily gave up and turned to watch Elwin, who was still being dressed by Felix and Nannette, while the woman Wrena had hired in to work on hair and makeup was fussing with his hair.


    Elwin looked a bit uncomfortable.


    Prin smiled at him reassuringly.


    It had been decided, not by himself certainly, that Elwin would be accompanying Wrena into the party. Because of this, his dapper charcoal colored suit was worn with a blue shirt to coordinate with her blue gown. Although, Prin did wonder if it was intentional, or not, that the shirt so resembled the color of his own eyes.


    Elwin smiled back. He flipped the jacket open, revealing it¡¯s lining was entirely sky complete with white clouds passing through. And the buttons on the front of it were silver birds. Very whimsical. Prin approved.


    He was tingling with anticipation of what they would dress him in, after seeing Valor and Elwin looking so fine. He tried to talk himself out of the inevitable disappointment that may come if he didn¡¯t like it. He would pretend to like it, and that would be good enough.


    Wrena and Dru were an odd pair, sat at the table looking through the jewelry box, their heads companionably close and laughing like no one else was in the room.


    Dru was wearing close fitting trousers and tall boots with gold buckles that matched, close enough, with the gold buckles on the antique green velvet coat she wore. Where had she got that thing? Clearly from the captain¡¯s own closet. She put a necklace of rubies on her head like a crown and pulled a face.


    Wrena laughed and called her your majesty. She was wearing oceans and skies worth of voluminous blue silk with dreamy epaulets of lace at each shoulder and cascading down like a veil for each arm. She was already adorned in emerald necklace and earrings. She took out a necklace of golden citrines and suggested it for Dru.


    ¡°Alright, Mr. Blue Eyes, it¡¯s your turn.¡± Nannette beckoned him over. He could swear she winked at him from behind her firmly affixed monocle.


    They dressed Prin in a suit of pale gold that shined and shimmered like a beam of sunset on the ocean. There was a vest involved, that was green with real gold threads in the stitching. And the shirt underneath was the embroidered flowers he had so admired from the shop.


    He wasn¡¯t sure about it at first, would too many people be looking at him? Would they be blinded? Would they think he was tacky? He didn¡¯t dare voice his reservations.


    ¡°The flower garden.¡± Nannette stood Valor and Prin together to admire the coordination of their outfits.


    ¡°The gold really sets off your eyes.¡± Felix said shyly. Perhaps sensing he was unsure.


    Elwin smiled at him tenderly from across the room, and his eyes met Prin¡¯s as he said, ¡°Beautiful.¡± And Prin knew he meant it.


    The prince smiled at them. ¡°Thank you.¡±

 Chapter 66

    Two black carriages, highly lacquered, and as somberly elegant as a pair of hearses, pulled up in front of the captain¡¯s house.


    Captain Thompson led the way outside. His dapper suit was brown tweed, nice in a professorial way, but not the most formal thing in the world. His pants were held up by rich leather suspenders that matched his shoes, and his hair and voluminous beard was trimmed and tidy.


    He did have one nod to extravagance, a gold chain with a heavy locket was worn over his white linen shirt.


    Prin had a feeling that the mysterious mama of the lonesome Valor was contained within, and both father and son were carrying a piece of her with them tonight.


    A dainty be-ringed hand waved out the window of the first carriage and Captain Thompson hurried in that direction. Prin bundled Valor along after him, and Elwin, reluctantly, was left behind to share a carriage with the girls.


    Prin got into the carriage beside Valor and across from Aster. She gave him an excited smile that crinkled her eyes into half moons.


    Aster was wearing a cream colored dress with a full skirt, covered with layers of lace. The outer most layer of lace was woven through with colorful embroidered flowers and greenery. It had a low cut off the shoulder neckline lined with more flowers that looked as though they threatened to spill out of the bodice. Her red curls were bound loosely with a gold circlet across the forehead, like a simple crown.


    Seeing the prince¡¯s look of awe, Aster giggled. ¡°This old thing? Just something I had in the back of the closet that I fancied up for the occasion.¡±


    The captain chuckled. He sat close beside Aster, seeming quite pleased with himself that his station in life allowed him to do so, appropriately appreciative of the moment.


    ¡°I smell bull in here, and it just took a shit.¡± The captain teased.


    Aster playfully smacked his arm, showing off a corsage of pink and purple flowers around her wrist. ¡°It¡¯s not even bullshit, it¡¯s true.¡± She laughed. ¡°I was too busy assisting with the suiting up of three lovely young men who are making their societal debut tonight,¡± She winked at Prin. ¡°to bother with putting something together from scratch. I would say the effort was well worth it though!¡±


    Captain Thompson gave her a tender look. ¡°You are too good to me and mine.¡± He pulled something that sparkled from his vest pocket. ¡°How¡¯s this for something new then? Well . . . not new, new, but it hasn¡¯t seen the light of day in many years anyway . . .¡±


    He held out the necklace for Aster¡¯s inspection. The delicate gold chain held a center piece of blossoms and leaves rendered in multi colored gold: rose, green, and yellow, with an apple in the center of the greenery. An apple made of a good sized diamond, or other clear stone. But knowing the captain¡¯s pirate past and eye for finery, Prin believed it probably was a real diamond. It daren¡¯t not be.


    Aster gasped. ¡°Oh Cornelius! I told you, I don¡¯t know how many times, you don¡¯t have to give me gifts. I¡¯m already won over.¡± Still, her hand reached out to take the shiny apple, pretty brown eyes sparkling almost as much as the stone.


    ¡°This is a special occasion.¡± The captain said. He bypassed the outstretched hand, and gently turned Aster to the side to fasten the necklace around her neck. He attached the necklace deftly, despite his large hands, and kissed the exposed skin at the nape of her neck. ¡°And you deserve it.¡±


    ¡°Ugh.¡± Valor looked like he would sink into the seat and disappear. ¡°Its just something out of the old junk box, I¡¯m sure. He stole those decades ago. Let¡¯s not start a makeout session right here in the carriage.¡±


    Prin elbowed him. He knew that Aster¡¯s affections were bought and paid for, but he still found them tooth-achingly sweet together. ¡°Your name is Cornelius?¡±


    ¡°Everyone has a name.¡± The captain agreed. ¡°Even if some are better at striking fear into the hearts of men then others.¡± He was beaming with good will and excitement to be on an outing with family and favorite people.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°O-oh, this is just too much.¡± Aster turned the diamond apple this way and that in admiration. ¡°I¡¯ll give it back after the party.¡±


    ¡°Like hell you will!¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Just don¡¯t let that greedy den mother down where you are take it from you.¡±


    ¡°This makes my gift look like nothing.¡± Aster said. ¡°But oh well.¡± She took a box from the floor at her feet. ¡°I wanted everyone to have fresh flowers to wear, so I made corsages and flower crowns, so there would be a variety to choose from.¡± Aster held out her wrist. ¡°Some of these and . . .¡± She opened the box and dug in. ¡°Some with pins, or your lapel. And these . . .¡± She held out a crown full of green ferns, baby¡¯s breath, and violets. ¡°I thought, for you pretty boys?¡±


    ¡°I love it.¡± The prince took his crown and placed it on his head. ¡°Does it look nice?¡±


    ¡°Very!¡± Aster assured. She held a second crown with small purple and pink flowers peeking out of lacy ferns. ¡°Valor, if you will consent?¡±


    ¡°Should I?¡± Valor wondered.


    ¡°Man up and wear a head full of flowers, son!¡± Captain Thompson said jovially, with a teasing grin.


    ¡°Or, if you would rather, a lapel pin?¡± Aster asked. ¡°Although I¡¯m sure you want to match with Prin.¡±


    Valor grimaced but nodded in consent. ¡°As long as it doesn¡¯t make me look stupid, what do I care.¡±


    Aster placed the crown on his head. ¡°It¡¯s just what the outfit needed.¡±


    ¡°I wish there was a photographer, or better yet, a portrait painter!¡± The captain held his locket in his hand, perhaps thinking how good a painting of a flowery Valor would look in there.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget you darling.¡± Aster took out a spray of pink rosebuds held together with an antique ribbon, and pinned it to the captain¡¯s lapel.


    ¡°Ah, roses, how appropriate.¡± The captain said admiringly. ¡°Thank you, my love.¡±


    ¡°Once again I say, ugh.¡± Valor said. ¡°If this is going to continue, stop the carriage and let me out.¡±


    ¡°Believe it or not, he quite likes you.¡± The captain told Aster.


    ¡°I can tell.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Very much approves.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go overboard.¡± Valor grumped.


    Prin couldn¡¯t help but laugh. It wasn¡¯t hard to picture them as a family.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long until we get there.¡± Aster assured. ¡°If you¡¯re carriage sick take deep breaths.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°And a sink hole hasn¡¯t swallowed us.¡± Prin pointed out.


    ¡°Yet.¡± Valor said.


    Aster took a suspicious peek out the window and all around herself for hazards. ¡°The evening has barely begun.¡±


    *


    Indeed, it didn¡¯t take long to pull up at their destination, even the far side of the island was not too terribly far on this small island.


    Prin¡¯s stomach hurt, but he tried not to show it. He was sure, if not the ride itself, then the heavy soup of nervous excitement in the air, had a contributing factor.


    The other carriage pulled up behind them and everyone got out. Prin, providing a helping hand to Valor, and Captain Thompson, to Aster.


    Prin was not sure he had ever seen Elwin look so happy to see him in his life, and wondered what shenanigans or squabbles the young ladies had been getting into with him as the chaperone.


    Aster brought the box of flower accessories over to the others. She offered the last of the flower crowns to Elwin, who hesitate just a moment before donning his crown when he saw one being warn by Prin. The trend setter.


    Prin wondered what the others would take.


    Wrena snatched a wrist corsage from Aster¡¯s hand, without so much as a thank you and put it on, holding her wrist up to her eyes to admire it.


    Dru, however had a strange reaction to Aster. Sizing her up, Dru took a step back, a stony unseasonable expression coming across her face. She refused to take the flowers. Aster reached back in the box and held out a couple examples of the pin on flowers.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the getup?¡± Aster wondered. ¡°It¡¯s very cool though.¡± She grinned. ¡°Take a flower? A nod to making us all look like we came here together. Like a matched set?¡± Aster laughed.


    Dru¡¯s mouth went together in a stiff line. She reluctantly took a sprig of yellow rosebuds and pinned it on her velvet jacket, all without saying a word. She was normally a chatterer.


    It suddenly occurred to Prin what the problem was, she probably recognized Aster and didn¡¯t want her telling her family that she spent a lot of time gambling at Mama Kris¡¯s. Her uncle may have something to say about it. Then again, he spent a lot of time at Mama Kris¡¯s establishment too, so he may know perfectly well that his niece frequented the place.


    Aster didn¡¯t seem bothered, walking back away again to stand by the captain¡¯s side. ¡°How do you like it, Prin? The mansion? Practically a castle, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Others were arriving, and they weren¡¯t the only ones standing and gawping at the magnificence of the grand stone building. The gardens in front were enough to draw the eye. A sculpture garden full of gargoyles and nymphs, carved in white stone.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said. It was nothing like The Vulture, though. A much tidier and newer affair, although it did seem to be taking on some airs of false antiquity.


    ¡°A lot of people seem to be staring.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s not just us.¡± He seemed relieved by this fact.


    ¡°Well, there were some major renovations after she moved in, and this is the first year the party has been held here.¡± Aster said. ¡°Since she¡¯s owned it anyway, whatever happened years ago could be a different story.¡±


    ¡°Who is she?¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I say? Who was throwing the party this year?¡± Aster said. Realizing by Prin and Elwin¡¯s blank expressions that she in fact had not said, she added. ¡°Freya, the fortune telling witch of Peacock Island. This is her house. Surprise!¡±

 Chapter 67

    ¡°Wow, you said she was going to be at the party. Not that she was throwing the party.¡± Prin said. He looked at the house with a different eye. Was there magic inside? Did the renovation include hidden rooms and ceremonial chambers? He realized his idea of what a witch was like came mostly from his reading (and, oh, that wee little bit of personal experience), but had no reason to dismiss it as impossible. After all, nothing was impossible, clearly.


    ¡°There will be a lot of people here.¡± Aster cautioned. ¡°So don¡¯t expect to get close to her right away.¡±


    ¡°What is it like?¡± Valor asked. Perhaps annoyed he had to ask, he already seemed a little moody. But what else was new.


    ¡°Four, maybe five stories. Stone building with balconies and white columns, like something from before times. A front garden filled with statuary. There¡¯s a wide stairway leading up to the front door, and a lot of people in fancy dress are going inside. I think we won¡¯t be out of place, the way we¡¯re dressed.¡± Elwin said. He was good at describing things succinctly.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all very pretentious.¡± Captain Thompson said mildly, just stating a fact, no particular insult in his voice.


    ¡°You mean, you are more well dressed then most of these people.¡± Aster said, wanting to set the record straight. ¡°Some people have no imagination. There¡¯s a lot of dark colors, a lot of black.¡±


    ¡°I like black.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Not today, today you look like a holiday ornament.¡± Dru teased.


    ¡°And you look like you are part of tonight¡¯s entertainment. Like a historical reenactment.¡± Aster said.


    Dru¡¯s brows furrowed, but she bit her lip, literally suppressing a response.


    Like Prin had thought, the tension between them, or rather one sided coming from Dru, was odd. Since they clearly didn¡¯t know each other.


    Prin would file this away to think about later. Today, he had bigger things to worry about.


    They walked up the long stairway as a group, and near the top Wrena elbowed her way to the front, taking Elwin¡¯s arm and pulling him along with her on the way.


    ¡°I think you look very nice.¡± Wrena said. ¡°Well, maybe that thing on your head is a bit much.¡±


    ¡° . . . you look very nice too.¡± Elwin said.


    It had been decided previously that they would walk into the party as couples, with Dru by herself, since she insisted she didn¡¯t care (probably preferring it, if truth be known). However, Aster assured them they didn¡¯t have to stay together after that, it was more of an appearances thing.


    Elwin and Wrena walked in, turning the heads of those people already inside. They continued to stare at Captain Thompson and Aster, then, Valor and Prin, followed by Dru bringing up the rear.


    Prin¡¯s arm was linked through Valor¡¯s, but with his free hand he patted the pocket that held his notes. The most important thing that happened tonight would be getting a chance to ask his questions of the witch, fun was a distant second.


    The prince smiled reassuringly at Elwin when he looked back at him over his shoulder. He wondered if Elwin was wishing to be rescued from the bratty sister. Prin declined, for the moment, figuring they better do one round of the room with their designated partners, out of politeness.


    Prin charged ahead through the big ballroom, strolling slowly, Valor providing no resistance.


    ¡°Ah, wait!¡± Aster dropped her partner¡¯s arm and hurried over to Prin and Valor. ¡°Before we get totally split up, I just have to mention something.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Prin asked. His eyes were distracted by the art on the walls and his ears were distracted by the chatting of the people around him. He had never been admitted into a space so grand.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, it¡¯s just . . . sometimes, later on in the evening, these parties can get kind of wild. Everyone¡¯s had a few drinks, or more then a few drinks . . . Do you know what I mean? No, you probably don¡¯t, knowing you.¡± Aster said. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is, don¡¯t let anyone invite you into a separate room. Don¡¯t get cornered by any charmers or sloppy drunks. Unless you¡¯re into that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°I can handle it. Don¡¯t worry bout me.¡± The prince said. If he had learned anything from his time on the ship, it was not to take candy from strangers.


    ¡°I¡¯ll look out for him.¡± Valor said. ¡°So to speak.¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Aster laughed. ¡°Oh you really are a pip. You¡¯re in just as much danger as Prinny, if not more so. People here don¡¯t know you, they don¡¯t know your pirate king father is in attendance.¡± She lowered her voice slightly. Although maybe should have risen it, if she wanted the people to know not to bother these two. Prin was sure a rumor could spread fast at these kinds of events.


    ¡°Maybe I am into that sort of thing.¡± Valor said dryly.


    ¡°You creature, I was only joking.¡± Aster said. She narrowed her eyes. ¡°The two of you better keep out of trouble. Or rather, don¡¯t go getting my sweet Prin involved in anything he shouldn¡¯t be.¡±


    Prin, who had been half immersed in a painting of fauns and satyrs frolicking in a wooded glen, laughed, startled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us, Aster, we know how to conduct ourselves in public.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Aster said skeptically. ¡°Well, I know that. It¡¯s more the other people I¡¯m worried about.¡±


    Smartly dressed servers began to make the rounds, holding trays of champagne, and Aster was mercifully distracted from her hovering. She snagged one from the first tray. ¡°Eat, drink, and be merry! But not too merry.¡± She wagged her finger teasingly at Prin before wandering back over to her captain.


    Valor tugged on Prin¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Drinks? Me too.¡±


    Prin took a couple of the thin and tall crystal champagne flutes from the server and gave one to Valor.


    Prin took a sip. The taste was so pleasant and light, he could feel the little bubbles popping as it went down his throat. ¡°This stuff is pretty good.¡±


    Valor drank his down quickly. ¡°Yes.¡± He said, catching his breath.


    ¡°That was fast.¡± Prin commented.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Valor agreed. ¡°Another?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know if you should have had the first one.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°How dare you.¡± Valor said mildly. ¡°What else am I supposed to do all night?¡±


    The prince watched servers in crisp white aprons, in contrast to the black suits of the drink servers, come from somewhere on the other side of the vast room with trays of dainty bits. He led the two of them a bit closer to the stream¡¯s mouth to have a look.


    There was something with cheese and fragrant herbs on tiny triangular toast points. Another had what looked to be black and orange beads? With little crackers. It smelled unappetizingly fishy, and Prin stayed away from it.


    A third treat that was going around appeared to be a two-bite miniature fruit and cream dessert with shavings of dark chocolate and what looked like a dusting of real gold.


    ¡°Are you allergic to anything?¡± Prin held on to Valor¡¯s thin arm, afraid that he would float off like a kite on a windy day if he were to let go of him.


    ¡°You mean like bees, pollen, spider bites, who knows what else . . .¡± Valor said ominously.


    ¡°I mean, food wise.¡± Prin said.


    Valor reached into his pocket to feel if his lucky charm was still there. ¡°Not that I know of.¡±


    ¡°Try this.¡± Prin liberated one of the cheesy herb triangles. ¡°You can sample all the foods for me and tell me if its good.¡± He passed the snack to Valor.


    Valor smelled it first, before taking a small bite. ¡°Chedder and swiss.¡± He said. ¡°With infused butter: rosemary, chives, garlic. On a little crunchy thing. What¡¯s not to like?¡±


    The prince felt his eyebrows raise up into his hairline. The little one was sure full of surprises. ¡°How do you know all that?¡±


    ¡°I can taste those ingredients.¡± Valor said. ¡°When I was younger I used to like to sit in the kitchen and listen to people cook. By that I mean, I made old Francis tell me every detail of what she was doing.¡± Valor finally cracked a smile. ¡°Also, don¡¯t listen to a word I¡¯m saying. I¡¯m full of shit. And I¡¯ll say anything if it might impress you.¡±


    A laugh was startled out of Prin against his will, and he grabbed a cheese toast of his own. ¡°Well, it worked.¡± Popping it in his mouth, he contemplated what he was tasting. ¡°What you said seems entirely accurate.  You know, Elwin¡¯s parents are chefs, maybe you could cook something together some time, give Mrs. Frances the day off.¡±


    He looked at the boy, his silver suit catching light from the candles in sconces along the wall, giving him a soft moon light glow. The prince had no idea how he had found him so creepy at first, when a simple attire change turned him into a fairy prince with a crown of flowers. A lovely young man. His mother must have been something to see.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about him.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin said agreeably. He grabbed one of the tiny fruit concoctions from a tray, muttering his thanks to the server, even though he wasn¡¯t sure if you were supposed to. It came in a glass goblet not much bigger than a salt dish, with the most dainty silver spoon. Prin would have liked to take a spoon home for a souvenir, but he didn¡¯t want to steal it. He handed it to Valor. ¡°How about this one?¡±


    If Valor was planning to drink all night, he would need plenty of nibbly bites to pad his stomach. Prin would keep them coming as long as the servers did.


    Valor took a bite and then another, scraping the sides of the goblet clean with the little spoon. ¡°Peaches and strawberries, and a single blueberry, with crushed pistachios at the bottom of the dish and dark chocolate shaved on top? With fresh cream. You can tell it¡¯s fresh. The blueberry was a weird choice.¡±


    Prin supposed gold didn¡¯t really have a taste. ¡°Do you want another one?¡±


    ¡°Another drink first.¡± Valor lifted his hand, as though attempting to flag down, or just grab one of the servers himself.


    ¡°You can have the rest of mine.¡± Prin suggested.


    Valor took the glass and drank it down in one drink. ¡°You¡¯re no fun. Maybe you should drink more yourself.¡±


    ¡°One of us should remain sober.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m soberly perfect.¡± Valor said.


    Prin considered a moment, amused, before deciding not to correct him. ¡°Sorry, the real reason is.¡± He patted his pocket with the notes. ¡°I need to stay alert so I can interview the lady of the house. But how will I know which one is her?¡±


    The room they were standing in was almost impossibly grand, from the inlaid wood floors to the gilt fixtures, and entire museum worth of artwork. So much so, that the people in attendance seemed secondary, small, like mice in the king¡¯s bedchamber, like dollhouse figures.


    ¡°If you see a lady who is being thronged by people, it is either her or a different celebrity. Guests often thank the hostess for the party.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Good point.¡± Prin said. ¡°I¡¯ll have to do that myself.¡±


    ¡°If you find her.¡± Valor said. ¡°And can get close enough.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing this for us both.¡± Prin pointed out. ¡°I will.¡±


    As Prin¡¯s eyes slid around the room, no one stood out to him especially. He found himself looking for the people they knew, the people they had come in with.


    Already they were hard to find.

 Chapter 68

    Out of the sea of people, overwhelming his senses, it was hard at first to pick out any individuals. How many wealthy well connected people could this island possibly hold? And how many had come from afar just for this event? Prin felt a bit intimidated, but tried to shake it off.


    ¡°Are people staring at us?¡± Valor wondered.


    Prin suddenly became very aware of eyes on him from all directions. That lady to his left with dark hair and an off the shoulder green dress and the man she was with were both watching him and Valor, but any direction you turn it was largely the same. Prin felt a trickle of sweat run down his spine.


    ¡°Now that you mention it, yes.¡± He said miserably.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I know.¡± Prin said, his eyes casting around for anyone he knew, preferably Elwin or Aster. ¡°Where did Aster go?¡± He muttered.


    ¡°Probably to one of those back rooms he warned us away from.¡± Valor said dryly. ¡°With my father.¡±


    Prin rolled his eyes. Then, realizing that would have no impact on Valor, had to speak. ¡°Don¡¯t disparage Aster, please. I love Aster, so I don¡¯t want to hear it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not disparaging if its just facts.¡± Valor said. ¡°You throw around that word a lot.¡±


    ¡°What word?¡± Prin asked. He saw Dru, standing against a wall with a cool nonchalant posture, speaking to a young woman.


    Then, he saw someone else out of the corner of his eye that seemed familiar, and turned towards them to get a better look. Who was that androgynous person with a thick knot of blond hair at the base of their neck, and overflowing the collar of that oil slick-black suit? Then, the person turned around to face Prin. Jules.


    The prince froze, like a small woodland creature hoping it had not been seen by the predatory beast strolling by, then their eyes met and Jules smiled. Prin¡¯s feeling instantly changed to steely resolve and he boldly smiled back, hoping his look was equally wolfish. But doubting it.


    ¡°Love.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Shit.¡± Prin said. It appeared that Jules and the woman he was with were walking toward them.


    ¡°I¡¯m only pointing it out.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°No, no, its¡ª¡± Before Prin could figure out how to explain what was happening, Jules was standing in front of them, accompanied by a woman Prin didn¡¯t recognize.


    The woman at first appeared young but was perhaps more carefully made up and styled then a young person would typically be. Her chocolate-brown hair lay in curls about her shoulders and the corners of her eyes showed well earned laugh lines as she smiled at them, revealing perfect pearls of teeth.


    Her dress was as funereal, shiny black as her companions, with a row of velvet ribbons up the front. Although her accessories showed a more personality, her ears held earrings of multi strands gold and pearl chains and around her neck a diamond collar with a large irregular shaped pearl held in the talons of a hawk. Gold bangles filled both wrists, and her dark red leather purse was matched perfectly by her shoes with pearl buckles.


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    It was the kind of appearance where even the most slight or unlikely detail perfectly coordinated with the overall look. Her eyes were blue, and bore into the prince¡¯s eyes immediately and without his permission.


    Prin blinked first.


    ¡°This is the little pissant I was telling you about.¡± Jules said, in a teasing tone. ¡°The one living in the backyard with Aster.¡±


    Valor¡¯s posture stiffened, like a dog who has the scent of danger. Prin could imagine his ears perking up.


    The woman chuckled. ¡°How rude. I apologize for Jules, you must have really gotten under his skin last time. He tends to resort to that kind of talk when he¡¯s irritated. You can take the urchin out of the street, but you can¡¯t take the street out of the urchin, as they say.¡±


    Prin did not want to accept the ¡°apology¡±. ¡°Did I? I had already forgotten that we had even met.¡±


    Jules narrowed his eyes at Prin.


    ¡°Oh? Ha ha.¡± The woman smiled at Prin. ¡°A feisty one.¡± Before her eyes slid over to Valor appraisingly. ¡°I¡¯ve scarcely seen such well dressed boys. I expect Aster-Rose had a hand in it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said, not particularly wanting to prolong the conversation.


    ¡°How did you even get here?¡± Jules asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t know they would let just any old riff raff in.¡±


    ¡°I invited him.¡± Valor said, voice bold with self-importance.


    ¡°Ah, then you must be an important person.¡± The woman said in a honey dripping voice. ¡°And here I was about to offer you a job, but I suppose you won¡¯t be needing one.¡± She extended her hand to Valor, as though expecting him to kiss it.


    ¡°He can¡¯t see your hand.¡± Prin said. He wondered if there was a way he could have put that more delicately. Oh well, what¡¯s done is done.


    ¡°What a faux pas on my part, I¡¯m so embarrassed.¡± The woman instead took Valor¡¯s hand and kissed his knuckles. ¡°Kristianna.¡±


    ¡°Valor.¡± Valor responded, managing to allow the hand kiss, like it didn¡¯t bother him, even though Prin knew he wanted to wrench his hand away.


    She released his hand. ¡°What a wonderful name! Excuse my son. To be honest he doesn¡¯t get out of the house much.¡±


    Jules harumphed.


    Then, Prin spotted Elwin coming toward them and couldn¡¯t help an audible sigh of relief.


    ¡°Oh look, it¡¯s the other pissant.¡± Jules pointed out.


    Wait, the prince¡¯s mind, uncharacteristically slow on the uptake, finally caught up to the situation. Wait, wait, wait. Was this THE Mama Kris?


    ¡°About Aster,¡± Prin started, sudden urge to have a serious conversation with this person overwhelming his already cluttered thoughts. ¡°Why won¡¯t you . . .¡±


    He might never get this chance again. And Mama Kris was nothing at all like he thought she would be. What had he expected? An elderly ogre with handcuffs and chains attached to her belt, just in case, and accompanied by giant bodyguards? Something like that.


    Before he could finish what he was trying to say (not that he knew exactly what that was, anyway), Elwin arrived and put his arm protectively around Prin¡¯s shoulder.


    Prin was grateful for his presence, but wasn¡¯t sure it was helping the current situation.


    ¡°It was nice meeting you.¡± Mama Kris said politely. She smiled at Elwin and began to turn away as though she had other places to be, people to talk to.


    Did she think Elwin was his bodyguard.


    ¡°No, er, don¡¯t go. I really want to talk to you.¡± Prin said awkwardly.


    At that moment live music begin to fill all the space in the ballroom not already filled by people. The sound from a horned instrument swelled, from soft to loud, followed by accompaniment from a chorus of others.


    Prin couldn¡¯t see much, not even a band, but everyone seemed to be turning toward the stars and a commotion began to rise from the crowd.


    Mama Kris laughed. ¡°Lady Freya always has had a flair for the dramatic.¡± She said.


    A figure cloaked from head to toe in midnight blue, with the glitter of beads like stars, slowly walked down the staircase.


    All Prin could think of was: I¡¯ll never get close to her.

 Chapter 69

    The mysterious figure on the stairs, who glowed like the constellations in the night sky, slowly descended as the people stopped chatting and watched in awe. Soon, everyone was looking, and as the music reached a crescendo, she threw off the velvet cloak that was concealing her.


    Underneath was a voluminous gown in a pink so bright it would make the roses of the garden sick with jealousy.


    The waiting audience gasped and then laughed and clapped in delight.


    Freya clapped for herself along with them, smiling in impish glee.


    She was a slight woman, beneath the yards of fabric and ribbon that threatened to overwhelm her, her silver hair was piled on top of her head in a confection of bows and gold combs. She was of oddly indeterminate age, the hair color of an elder at mismatch with her face and girlish posture.


    Prin was forcefully reminded of the youth, the witch he had seen for himself, before hearing all others refer to them as an ¡°old woman¡±. The one who had done this, whatever exactly this was, to him.


    Maybe this was the same witch? Though it didn¡¯t seem likely. Maybe this witch had the same power. Or maybe the power of changing your appearance was one that all witches possessed.


    Her eyes were green. Like fire, in a way that fire should be but wasn¡¯t. Like the sprouts of new plants. Like lies.


    Maybe everything about her appearance was made up to suit herself and her audience.


    The prince couldn¡¯t look away, and couldn¡¯t think in a straight line, for all the ideas and wonderings that were flying around in there.


    ¡°She is amazing at reading the cards. You should get yours done.¡± Mama Kris was telling Valor. ¡°Help you prepare for what¡¯s to come, you know?¡±


    As the witch was engulfed by the crowd at the foot of the stairs, Prin was certain he couldn¡¯t elbow his way closer to her now, it would have to wait until the excitement died down. He turned to Elwin who was watching wide eyed.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that.¡± Elwin said. ¡°So much pink.¡±


    ¡°She reminds me of the one, my witch.¡± Prin said softly.


    Elwin nodded, squeezing him a little closer.


    ¡°Not so impressive to me.¡± Valor said haughtily.


    ¡°How would you know if you couldn¡¯t even see her?¡± Jules asked, tilting his head to the side curiously.


    The two of them were both showing a little too much interest in Valor for the prince¡¯s liking and he wondered what they were playing at.


    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s impressive all right.¡± Mama Kris assured.


    ¡°It was a joke.¡± Valor said dryly.


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    Mama Kris laughed. ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°She came down the stairs in a dark cloak, only to suddenly throw it off to reveal a dress  . . . that makes her look like a giant carnation.¡± Elwin said helpfully.


    Mama Kris laughed again. This time Jules joined her.


    ¡°I was thinking more like a rose in full bloom!¡± Mama Kris said.


    ¡°Really, what was she thinking?¡± Jules laughed.


    ¡°The surprise factor was definitely intentional.¡± Mama Kris stuck up for her favorite fortune teller.


    ¡°And that music!¡± Jules exclaimed.


    By this point people around them were starting to glare, the rudeness to their hostess too blatant.


    The band began now to play dance music, and the people, to go back to snacking, chatting, and drinking.


    ¡°I definitely need another drink.¡± Valor said. ¡°The crowds are making my skin crawl.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡± Mama Kris flagged down a passing server and lifted a glass of champagne for herself and one for Valor.


    She handed Valor the champagne and he took a drink of it.


    Elwin chewed on his lip. ¡°Does he know people can put things in your drink?¡± He whispered to Prin.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s okay.¡± Prin said, not entirely sure. At this point he just wanted to be separated from Mama Kris and Jules but, as long as they were still standing there he had to say at least something. Didn¡¯t he?


    ¡°These are Aster¡¯s jailers.¡± Prin suddenly said to Valor, surprised at his own boldness.


    ¡°Jailers. Isn¡¯t that a bit harsh?¡± Mama Kris asked. ¡°There are no bars around my establishment.¡± She sipped her drink, obviously not too bothered by what he was saying.


    As an innocent person would be, Prin would think. ¡°Well then why can¡¯t Aster leave whenever she wants to?¡±


    ¡°There is a certain debt to be paid off first.¡± Mama Kris said. ¡°But why are we talking business? This is supposed to be a party!¡±


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s a pretty steep one.¡± The prince said. He could tell Elwin was getting anxious. But he should just be glad this was happening in a public place. What could they do?


    Mama Kris played with her bracelets and looked around as though wanting someone else to call her over, and away from this conversation. ¡°That is between myself and Aster.¡± She said.


    The prince nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± It must be a huge sum of money. But how could Aster ever be expected to pay it if she was being controlled every minute and probably charged hefty room and board for her jail cell? ¡°If it¡¯s just a matter of debt, it could be paid off early, right?¡±


    ¡°Everything has a price.¡± Mama Kris admitted.


    ¡°Some things have a price that¡¯s damn near unpayable.¡± Jules said, eyes flashing a salty look in Prin¡¯s direction. One that said, especially not by you. ¡°Unless you¡¯re a prince or something.¡±


    Prin laughed nervously. It¡¯s not like being a prince would do him any good in that regard, it didn¡¯t come with a paycheck. He could see this was going downhill fast, if he thought he had at all endeared himself to these people it was all over now.


    ¡°Aster-Rose does class up the joint quite a bit.¡± Mama Kris laughed, downing the last of her glass of champagne. ¡°Those outfits! And you can¡¯t buy class.¡± She waved her hand dismissively at Prin and Elwin. ¡°It was a pleasure to meet you but we had better be making the rounds. Be sociable. Good for business and all that.¡± She took Valor¡¯s hand again in hers and squeezed it. ¡°Especially nice meeting you, very important person, Valor. I hope to see you in my establishment some time soon. If you think lack of vision would be any detriment, you can always let your nose decide. Go with the one who smells the prettiest.¡± She laughed again, amused at herself, and maybe slightly tipsy.


    Once they had gone, Valor said to Prin. ¡°What an odd pair.¡±


    ¡°I think your father should pay out the debt.¡± Prin said decisively.


    ¡°There goes my inheritance.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t sound too . . . likely to actually go through with it.¡± Elwin said cautiously.


    ¡°You heard the lady, everything has its price.¡± The prince said. That would be a first avenue to pursue, but certainly not the last if that one didn¡¯t work out.


    ¡°What happened to Wrena?¡± Prin asked. He was looking for someone to hand Valor over to temporarily while he tried to talk to the witch.


    Elwin shrugged. ¡°Who knows?¡±


    ¡°She can handle herself.¡± Valor said dismissively. ¡°Like a dog in the early stage of rabies.¡±


    Prin found the sibling rivalry tiresome, but that was kind of funny.

 Chapter 70

    ¡°I think the captain and Aster are over that way.¡± Elwin motioned in the direction he had come from.


    The three of them wove their way back in that direction. Valor tilting his head this way and that as he picked up bits of conversation. Prin wondered what he could be thinking about. Probably that Elwin was a third wheel and he wished it were just him and Prin again.


    Elwin fished something out of his pocket. ¡°I almost forgot. I figured you would . . . be too shy to take something from the jewelry stash so I got you something myself.¡±


    Elwin went around behind Prin and fastened a necklace around his neck. The heavy blood-red beads had a golden spider hanging from a golden thread, as though it were a web it was spinning.


    Prin looked down at the spider, it was almost too real, if not for the glint of gold. It didn¡¯t matter though, his neck had felt rather naked anyway without the lucky coin talisman. He smiled at Elwin. ¡°Thank you. I hope Captain Thompson doesn¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t care.¡± Valor waved his hand.


    In addition to the band, a variety of different entertainments had sprung up for the guests to walk up and view at their own pace. A juggling act with a man and woman dressed as court jesters passing increasingly dangerous looking items back and forth was set up on the other side of the room. Surprisingly enough, the crowd in front of it was small, people apparently drawn to a bigger attraction nearby.


    A large group of people were standing around Captain Cornelius Thompson, listening with eager attention to every word he spoke.


    ¡°So the tike swung this sword, big as he was and almost as heavy. With all his might! Really put his back into it, see?¡± As the captain was talking he swung his arm back and almost hit a lady that was standing too closely behind him. ¡°Sorry ¡®bout that, out of the way a bit if you please. My stories take up space.¡±


    The crowd dutifully moved away a little, tittering with excited energy.


    ¡°He slices that vile mutineer right through the guts! All his internals going external all of a sudden like. But in the process the boy managed to slice his own thumb clean off, dunno how he did it. He didn¡¯t even notice ¡®til the man was on the ground and he had pulled some rings off his hands see? We aint opposed to looting the dead, us being pirates and all, it¡¯s nothing to clutch pearls over. Usually though, the cabin boy wouldn¡¯t get share in the loot, not ¡®til he¡¯s older and graduated to real crew. If he makes it that long! Anyway, under the circumstances we made an exception. He took those rings and went to put them on his own fingers. Grinnin¡¯ like the cat that ate the goddess¡¯s goose, he were. All triumphant. Went to put ¡®em on and fainted dead away when he seen he was down a whole finger since this morning.¡± Captain Thompson laughed, deep rolling laughter that made him hold his belly. ¡°Course it may have just been the blood loss. Leaking like a sieve he was.¡±


    Most of the fancy party goers laughed loudly along with him, only a few looking quietly appalled. They immediately began talking over each other with questions and urging him on to another tale.


    Aster noticed them standing toward the back of the crowd and left the captain¡¯s side to wriggle through the people to get to them.


    There must have been something, a look on Prin¡¯s face of surprise or incomprehension (both would have been somewhat accurate to what he was feeling), because she put her hand on his arm and hastened to reassure.


    ¡°The elite love a little blood and guts.¡± Aster gave him a toothy grin.


    ¡°It¡¯s in their nature.¡± Valor agreed.


    Prin refrained from pointing out that Valor was one himself, as he was no doubt aware. Prin certainly didn¡¯t feel predisposed to such things, blood and violence. It was more of a recent interest.


    ¡°My beautiful boys.¡± Aster looped her arm through Prin¡¯s and her other arm through Elwin¡¯s. ¡°You know . . .¡± She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. ¡°You¡¯re better than these people, not the other way around.¡±


    Prin felt his cheeks grow hot. ¡°So are you.¡±


    Aster giggled. ¡°I know it!¡± She walked along with them.


    Prin realized quickly that Valor was being left behind and took his hand.


    The four of them must have made quite a sight walking all attached together and decked out in flowers. A lot of people turned to look, and Prin couldn¡¯t help noticing the way that some of them looked at Aster. A look of wanting, he could understand. But on some faces, a look of disgust.


    Aster cast her warm eyes, dark honey colored in the candlelight, up to Prin¡¯s. ¡°Never mind them, Prin, they . . . think they know me, what I¡¯m all about. And I guess they don¡¯t like what they think they know. Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ve long since given up being offended.¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re a pretty eye-catching figure around town, like a celebrity.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°This is true. Half the people in here come to Mama Kris¡¯s place, maybe more then half. For one reason or another. Not all to see me.¡± Aster laughed at the thought.


    ¡°Women don¡¯t like it when their husbands and sons go to brothels.¡± Valor said. He had been walking along so placidly, not making demands or being a pain about anything, Prin had half thought he fell asleep, or was sick from the drink.


    ¡°Even though it greatly improves their disposition, go figure!¡± Aster said playfully.


    ¡°It does seem to work that way with my father.¡± Valor agreed.


    Prin could swear they were warming to each other. Right?


    As they were walking around the room, the first band departed, replaced by twin harpists dueting. A lilting love ballad filled the ballroom, and a few tipsy couples danced.


    Aster steered them in that direction, clearly eager to have a closer look.


    They were lithe creatures with long black hair filled with trailing silk ribbons and old-fashioned white dresses that flowed shapelessly around their bodies. Identical in every respect, except that one was singing the male part and one the female part in the ballad.


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    Valor listened with rapt attention to their song, leaning forward as though if Prin released his hand he would drift right into the middle of the concert. Prin supposed he would do it too, so he held on. Aster, also, head tilted to the side, seemed to be adding the song and lyrics to her mental collection of such things, perhaps to sing it herself later in her own style.


    After a couple of songs the two took a synchronized bow and departed, to be replaced with the previous band again, and the four of them wandered away.


    Valor said. ¡°Could you pass me a drink?¡±


    ¡°How about some more snacks first?¡± Prin suggested. He hated to refuse a plain request like that, not really feeling it was his business to do so. But he knew from books that people could become ill from over indulgence in alcohol, though not from personal experience.


    ¡°Ooo, I could always eat!¡± Aster said enthusiastically. ¡°You know, after all these shows and attractions at this party, I can hardly imagine what the surprise will be.¡±


    ¡°Surprise?¡± Elwin asked. Prin did not believe he particularly liked surprises.


    ¡°Freya has been promising some sort of surprise for tonight. Maybe a big magic trick? Or fireworks?¡± Aster said.


    The servers passed with what looked like tiny sandwiches and they each took one to try.


    ¡°Garlic sesame seed bread, thin roast beef with caramelized onions and cheese.¡± Valor said. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what the sauce is.¡±


    ¡°A type of brown mustard I think.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t he amazing?¡± Prin asked Elwin.


    ¡°That was an easy one.¡± Valor protested. ¡°And I didn¡¯t even get the sauce.¡±


    ¡°Is this a game? A contest?¡± Elwin wondered.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t eat meat?¡± Aster asked.


    ¡°Oh yeah.¡± Prin said sheepishly. ¡°I guess I should have warned you this one was meat.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. This is a special occasion.¡± Valor said. ¡°I might change my mind and go back to being a carnivore after tonight.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°You are a bit thin, darling, a little red meat couldn¡¯t hurt anything.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s still growing.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Just a sweet little baby.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Sto-op, nothing about me is sweet.¡± Valor grumped.


    Prin couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He was having such a good time that he had to forcibly remind himself that he had a mission. He could just barely see a hint of Freya¡¯s pink dress, as she was essentially gobbled up by the crowd of people trying to chat with her. An even bigger crowd then the captain¡¯s. Not the right time yet, then.


    ¡°Won¡¯t Captain Thompson be disappointed that you left him?¡± Prin asked Aster.


    ¡°Oh well, maybe eventually. But he was launching into another story as we walked away, so he should be okay for a while.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°I believe I have heard them all already.¡±


    They took champagne from another server and stood still for a moment while drinking it.


    ¡°He likes to hear himself talk.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Other people seem to be enjoying it too!¡± Prin pointed out, still amazed that these rich fancy people would want to hear stories of gore and criminality, so far from their own experiences and, one would think, pretty scary to them.


    ¡°Of course. He¡¯s a fascinating man.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t join the crowd, Prin.¡± Elwin said. ¡°There was a time you would have gotten in line to hear stories from a pirate.¡± He winked.


    They wandered around for a while, doing a lot of people watching and some drinking and snack eating. No one really tried to talk to them, a fact that Prin was grateful for. The crowd seemed to thin out a little, perhaps some leaving, or spreading out to other places in the mansion for their own mysterious purposes.


    Later then Prin had expected, Valor finally requested a bathroom.


    ¡°Are you sick, or do you just have to pee?¡± Prin asked as they headed toward where the server had pointed.


    ¡°Some of each.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I tried to warn you.¡± Prin sighed.


    ¡°I can hold my liquor.¡± Valor said firmly.


    ¡°Something to be proud of at not quite fifteen?¡± Elwin teased.


    ¡°Keep talking. If I do have to throw up I will aim it toward the sound of your voice.¡± Valor said.


    Thankfully they found the bathroom before it came to that.


    Elwin went in with Valor in case he needed help, and because he also had to pee.


    Once they had gone out of ear shot, Prin turned to Aster.


    ¡°You like him, don¡¯t you? Once you get to know him . . . he can be endearing.¡± Prin prompted.


    ¡°Who, Valor?¡± Aster nodded. ¡°When the calamities ease off a little, he¡¯s not so bad.¡±


    Prin smiled. ¡°I¡¯m glad you think so. Listen, I know we only have a few minutes before they come back, but can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Well, you can ask me anything, darling. What¡¯s stopping you?¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin took a deep breath. ¡°So, why don¡¯t you let Captain Thompson just pay Mama Kris to release you. It¡¯s the easiest thing to do. I¡¯m sure he would do it.¡±


    Aster¡¯s eyes went wide as she looked up at Prin. ¡°What on earth, where¡¯s this coming from?¡±


    ¡°I have not stopped thinking about helping you.¡± Prin admitted shyly. ¡°But when we saw . . .¡± he lowered his voice. ¡°You know . . . that thing outside Mama Kris¡¯s place . . . the man who owed money and tried to run . . . Anyway, it was discouraging. And I think if there is any easy route to just appease her and make her let you go, we should just take it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure she would let me go for any amount of money.¡± Aster said. ¡°Maybe in ten years, when I¡¯m old and tired.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say she will, let¡¯s just say, what if she will?¡± Prin said. He didn¡¯t want to tell Aster that they had talked to Mama Kris and what that had been like, not right now.


    ¡°Okay, for the sake of argument, what if she will. If Captain Thompson bought me out, I would belong to him. I tried that before, being kept. Do you know what that means? It¡¯s like having one client forever, like being a professional mistress, you know? They pay for your room and board in a nice house or apartment as well as everything you want and need, and then come see you just whenever they¡¯re of a mind to. It works out good for some people. But, Prinny it is so terribly boring, I couldn¡¯t stand it and had to give all that up and run away. Boring and lonely.¡±


    ¡°No, no, it wouldn¡¯t be like that with him. I think he might be in love with you.¡± Prin said. ¡°Of course you would move into his house, not a separate place. And the kids . . . well, you are halfway there with Valor. As far as Wrena, she will be difficult but on the bright side she seems to have an active social life and isn¡¯t at home a lot.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I want to marry Cornelius?¡± Aster gave him an incredulous look. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you my job was customer service? Part of the service is making them fall in love with you a little bit. It¡¯s all, it¡¯s an act. You know?¡± Aster gave a cheesy fake grin. ¡°To be happy, and cheery, and sweet, all the time. And sexy, and cool. And ideal, idealized. Fake. I¡¯m fond of Captain Thompson, but I don¡¯t love him. And he doesn¡¯t love me. Because he doesn¡¯t even know me.¡± She looked down at her shoes, as though secretly a little ashamed of all this, or just embarrassed to be talking about it in a public place. ¡°And maybe you don¡¯t either.¡±


    Prin felt a lump in his throat, and his voice came out a little funny. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have put you on the spot like that. You¡¯re right, I don¡¯t understand. But I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Aster lifted her head up and smiled, taking his hand in both of hers. ¡°No, I am. I shouldn¡¯t have said that to you. You¡¯re only trying to help, right?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything. I¡¯ve been in a tower for seventeen years. With only books and one friend.¡± Prin felt tears prickle the corners of his eyes.


    Aster laughed. ¡°What are you talking about? You¡¯re fine. What me and you have.¡± She pointed at Prin and herself. ¡°That¡¯s real. No money exchanged hands. We just haven¡¯t been friends long enough to learn everything about each other yet. Give it time. You¡¯ll know all my secrets.¡±


    Prin wiped away a tear with the back of his hand. But I can never tell you mine.


    ¡°I like that necklace. Where did it come from?¡± Aster asked idly, trying to change the subject. ¡°Oh, wait, look.¡± She pointed across the room.


    Freya, the witch of the pink dress, was donning a robe again and going around a hidden little corner, waving away a group of her friends.


    It looked like she was saying, shoo, don¡¯t follow me, I¡¯ll be back in a minute.


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s either going to her own private bathroom or, she is going to prepare something for the big surprise.¡± Aster said. ¡°You should try and follow her! Not into the bathroom but, you know, right to the door. It might be your only chance. If you can just get a minute or two of her time you can make an appointment for a longer interview! Umm tell her, not too much. Be intriguing.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. What if someone tries to stop me?¡± Prin fretted.


    ¡°Go, hurry! She¡¯s getting away.¡± Aster urged. ¡°Just act confident.¡±


    The prince, thinking confident thoughts and patting the pocket that held his carefully prepared notes, hurried after the witch.

 Chapter 71

    The prince followed the witch. He was sure that others must have seen him enter the corridor, partly obscured by a hanging curtain, but no one interfered. He guessed he looked unassuming enough, or maybe it was that confidence he was trying to project.


    Freya disappeared around another corner ahead of him, and Prin slowed down a little, not wanting her to feel she was being chased.


    The corridor was dark, and had the quiet air of something rarely used. It would have been a good place to put a dressing room for the performers, but he supposed there was another out of the way room for that purpose.


    He came upon the door, he was pretty sure she had disappeared into. The door was guarded by a big silver lock, which conveniently she had left the key hanging out of. Not that it mattered since the door was open a crack anyway.


    Prin considered going in, then wondered if he should knock first since maybe it was a bathroom or dressing room after all. But if he knocked, what would he say when she spoke to him? Should he knock quickly then go on in before she had a chance to answer?


    As he was momentarily frozen with indecision, he could hear voices coming from inside.


    ¡°See? I knew nothing would happen to me tonight. Not here, surrounded by all my friends!¡± A woman¡¯s voice was saying. ¡°This is the best party I have ever been to, and it¡¯s only about to get better.¡±


    ¡°Of course it is, you planned everything yourself.¡± A second female voice said.


    The woman who must be Freya laughed. ¡°As if you had no hand in anything! So modest.¡±


    ¡°I only do what you tell me to.¡± The second voice said. ¡°About the oddities exhibit . . .¡±


    ¡°Yes! Why don¡¯t you go and make sure the lighting is just right. I¡¯ll bring the bug.¡± Freya said.


    ¡°It¡¯s just, I¡¯m afraid it might be dangerous. To keep this thing around.¡± The second woman said fretfully.


    ¡°Nonsense! The guests will love it. It¡¯s like nothing they¡¯ve ever seen before, I guarantee you that.¡± Freya said.


    ¡°People have seen them. They just don¡¯t . . . if they manage to capture one, it¡¯s not kept in a-in a jar. Not alive anyway. They¡¯re unpredictable, powerful . . .¡± The second woman seemed to be very reluctant to be having this conversation with her boss, but perhaps saying things that had been building up for a while. Things she had to get off her chest or risk later regret.


    The first woman laughed, a haughty sound. ¡°Is that what your books told you? This is just a harmless little bug. Powerless. Otherwise why would it allow itself to be captured?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know . . . maybe it has its reasons.¡± The nervous woman said.


    ¡°This will be the crowning touch to the hall of oddities.¡± The first woman said. ¡°Along with some spooky mood lighting. Maevis, you go make sure that¡¯s ready to go and everything is set up. I¡¯m going to have a smoke but I¡¯ll rejoin the party shortly. I might as well make a second grand entrance, after all it¡¯s my party!¡±


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    ¡°I don¡¯t like this. I don¡¯t like it at all.¡± Maevis said. ¡°You should get rid of it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, maybe later. After the party.¡± The first woman said. ¡°We can always crush you to bits once we get tired of showing you off, can¡¯t we little bug? Go on now, Maevis, make sure everything is perfect.¡±


    Prin had no idea what they were talking about but it didn¡¯t sound good. In an act that he knew was strange, but felt like self preservation, he slipped into the alcove of a neighboring doorway to hide in the shadows when he heard footsteps.


    Maevis, clearly sensing the futility of continuing her argument further, left the room alone and went down the hallway and back out toward the party, not once looking in Prin¡¯s direction.


    He breathed a sigh of relief, and thought about leaving himself, mission unaccomplished. But then, how could he possibly do that? He would never get the answers he sought with an attitude of defeatism. And failure was not a possibility he was willing to entertain. Also, wasn¡¯t he at least a little bit curious about this mysterious and powerful ¡°bug¡± she was keeping captive? Yes, yes he was.


    Prin crept out of his shadowy hiding spot and knocked softly at the door. There was no answer, so he knocked again, a little harder this time.


    ¡°For goddess sake, who is it? A timid little mouse?¡± Freya demanded.


    It was here where Prin knew that announcing himself would mean nothing to the fortune teller, as they didn¡¯t know each other, and discovery that it was someone she didn¡¯t know at the door would probably cause him to be turned away. So he made the only decision he felt he could and simply opened the door, a bland apology on the tip of his tongue.


    He never had a chance to use it.


    He had just a moment to take in the room, an opulent private sitting room with velvet chairs and a small round table with an arrangement of esoteric clutter, and the woman in pink, a bit older looking close up but still rosy cheeked and slim as a girl, either through natural means or artificial it was beyond Prin to know, before she let out an abrupt and high pitched shriek.


    Her eyes unbelievably round and mortified. She dropped the pipe she had been smoking onto the antique rug, and pointed at him, her rings sparkling in the candlelight.


    ¡°You.¡± She gasped. ¡°It¡¯s you.¡±


    Prin, again a slave to the unaccountable instincts to preserve one¡¯s own well being, removed the key from the door and shut it behind himself. He figured if she screamed again it wouldn¡¯t carry as far, or maybe at all, with the door shut. Why he took the key was anybody¡¯s guess. And he was surprised he didn¡¯t just take off running down the hall and away from her like a scalded animal. But here they were.


    ¡°The spider boy.¡± Freya said. ¡°Just like in my vision. . .¡± She stood up, still pointing at him all the while, as though the tip of her fingernail had the power to freeze him in place. She took a deep breath. ¡°You can¡¯t kill me, not now, I¡¯ve grown too powerful for you.¡±


    ¡°Please . . .¡± the prince said. ¡°Please, I don¡¯t know what ¨C I just have questions. Are you a shapeshifter?¡±


    He wondered if her bizarre reaction might mean she was the witch who had cursed him, and she had been waiting all along for him to catch up to her? But, it didn¡¯t seem right for that. She seemed, afraid. And why would you be afraid of what you yourself created?


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean you any harm.¡± Prin said miserably. What would she do to him? What could she do?


    ¡°Tricky spider.¡± Freya said.


    Out of the corner of his eye Prin could see a glowing light, like a firefly but brighter and growing. It was coming from a round glass jar on the table that he had barely noticed before.


    While his attention was distracted for a split second, the room began to fill with smoke, an oddly scentless smoke, and before his vision was clouded over, Freya lunged at him.


    Sensing the coming impact of her body, Prin¡¯s teeth began to ache, his mouth salivate. And his stomach spoke to him. In that wordless eerie way, it purred and laughed and gurgled. It said, it¡¯s time, no time is a bad time if I say it¡¯s good. It said, the meal is coming to us, how can we refuse?


    The smoke had a quality to it that made his limbs feel heavy. ¡°No.¡± Prin said, but he knew the word was feeble, and he was already going limp as the impact of the woman in pink slammed into him.


    The room momentarily shook as though the aftermath of a small explosion and a flash of bright light burned his eyes briefly before they fluttered closed. And he felt no more.

 Chapter 72

    The sound of the door was less of a knocking and more of a slapping, like an open palm hitting the solid wooden door. Slap, slap, slap.


    The prince raised his head from his meal, reluctantly, as the sound would not stop. Demanding his attention. The confection of pink and red beneath him no longer moved or made noise. Pink. Red. Pink. Red. Stillness. Silence.


    So he supposed it wasn¡¯t going anywhere. And he could safely attend to this intruder.


    He licked the blood and bits of flesh from his lips. Clearing his throat and schooling his voice to sweet clarity.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± The prince asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s only me.¡± The voice on the other side of the door said. The interloper.


    ¡°Oh?¡± The prince¡¯s meat was getting cold. He clicked his tongue against sharp teeth impatiently.


    ¡°Valor.¡± The voice clarified.


    ¡°Oh!¡± The prince scanned his memories for Valor, and found him quickly. Friend, little brother, obligation, a complicated morass of pity, annoyance, and affection. Cursed. Blind. Blind? Oh, really. Finding the last bit of information interesting he stopped looking for more. ¡°What are you doing here Valor?¡±


    He stepped closer to the other side of the door, carpet squelching rudely under his feet, now only inches away from the boy, who¡¯s image was clarifying in his mind, as though rising up from the bottom of a murky pool.


    ¡°I came to find you.¡± Valor said. ¡°I was worried.¡±


    ¡°How sweet.¡± The prince licked his lips again.


    ¡°Are you in there alone?¡± Valor asked, his voice puzzled.


    The prince looked around himself. The room was in disarray. The table full of broken and toppled items, shards of glass. The rug saturated in blood and other fluids. But, other than himself and the dead meat, he was alone. He laughed, a pretty sound, to his own ears anyway.


    ¡°In a manner of speaking.¡± He said. ¡°Do come in.¡± He turned the lock and opened the door.


    Valor looked like a dessert. A sugar sculpture on top of a cake. Delicious.


    His pale rusty blond hair was disheveled, pink glasses that gave his eyes a lavender hue, askew. Cheeks flushed. As though he had been running or in distress.


    ¡°Is everything alright?¡± The prince asked.


    Valor stepped into the room, nose twitching. Tilting his head this way and that, as though forgetting he couldn¡¯t see, or catching the smell from different angles. The scars on his face, like claw marks from a vicious animal stood out red against his pale skin.


    It made the prince curious.


    ¡°I should ask you the same thing.¡± Valor said.


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    The prince looked behind himself at the cooling corpse in its rapidly spreading, carpet ruining pool. ¡°Of course it is. Never better.¡±


    ¡°It smells like death in here.¡± Valor said. ¡°Please tell me you aren¡¯t injured.¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± The prince stood close to Valor, breathing in the scent of champagne, flowers, clean sweat, and just plain refreshing youth he exuded.


    Valor suddenly reached out until his hand made contact with Prin¡¯s arm and pulled him close. ¡°Whatever it is, you can tell me.¡±


    The transference was instant, and Valor¡¯s moon-colored suit became sullied with blood.


    He didn¡¯t let go. ¡°My father can dispose of a body. He¡¯s done it before.¡±


    *


    When Prin came to he was laying on the floor, his head aching ferociously. It took him a while to figure out where, what, or who he was.


    He squinted his eyes painfully open, and sat up. The world threatened to tip over upside down and nausea like a crushing wave came and then receded. Was he back on the boat?


    No, it was a small sitting room full of antiques and rich wood. The witch, Freya. He had come here to see her.


    The memory of him knocking, coming in, her reaction, began to come back to him, but it was jumbled and all out of order like shuffled playing cards.


    And he could swear . . . Valor was here. Supposed to be here. No one was here now anyway. One of the chairs was knocked over and the items on a small table were half on the floor and half knocked over or broken on the table. There was some broken glass. There was a large red stain on the floor.


    Prin felt so tired. He recognized this feeling, post meal feeling. His mouth felt sticky and metallic tangy. What had he done? Or, more like, who had he eaten?


    His hands were clean. His clothes, also clean, from what he could see. Prin needed to get to a mirror. And what if . . . where was Valor?


    He stumbled to his feet and went to the table. His reflection in what remained of a broken jar seemed clean. Strange.


    ¡°Valor?¡± Prin called. ¡°Valor?¡± He went around the room and searched, not that it was hard to do. There was really no where to hide. ¡°Miss Freya?¡± He knew somehow that this one was futile. If he had eaten her, where were the remains? The bones, the clothes, the hair?


    Only the stain of spilled blood. He must have moved the body. But where on earth to? There was nowhere. He didn¡¯t think he had left this room. He must have though, right?


    Prin tripped over nothing and forced himself to sit down, since his feet weren¡¯t cooperating. His eyes clogged with tears. Little Valor, cursed boy, with his whole life ahead of him but, in a sense, who had never even had a chance to start living it. What had he done? Was this Valor¡¯s own curse finally finishing him off in the form of the prince? Prin wasn¡¯t sure if he could live with himself if he had harmed Valor.


    There was a knock at the door, and Prin jumped to his feet. Could this be Valor now? Luckily, before he had a chance to say anything, the doorknob rattled and the person on the other side spoke.


    ¡°Freya? What¡¯s taking so long? Why is this door locked?¡± The woman, Maevis, he suddenly remembered, spoke. ¡°Freya? Everything okay?¡± She rattled the doorknob.


    Prin held perfectly still. Even his breath he held.


    After a few moments she went away. She might come back at any moment. Only, this time with a spare key, or more people.


    Prin had to get out of there.


    He went to the door and unlocked it, opening it carefully at first, before stepping out into the once again deserted hallway. He locked the door from the outside, leaving the key in the lock the way he had originally found it.


    Halfway down the hall he turned and ran back, taking the key out of the lock. He considered what would be best. Not much time. And, unlocked the door, leaving the implication that Freya had left on her own taking the key with her? He returned the key to his pocket for safe keeping.


    As he went back towards the party, the sounds of which were getting louder, he remembered Valor saying something about his father getting rid of bodies.


    Prin sighed, a knot loosening in his chest that had been squeezing his heart and lungs like a python. Did this mean Valor was fine after all? That him and his father had taken the body away somewhere? Was he supposed to have been waiting for them to return? He shuddered at the thought of more people knowing his secret, but still . . . Still. It was such a relief to realize he hadn¡¯t eaten Valor that at the moment it didn¡¯t seem to matter what consequences he was about to face.


    He couldn¡¯t shake that something wasn¡¯t adding up. No matter how hard he tried to make it.

 Chapter 73

    Prin left the hallway and re-entered the party, which seemed to have thinned out a bit. Prin wondered how long he had been gone. Between twenty minutes and two hours he figured, having no sense at all for the length of time that had passed while he was out, or not himself. He crept along the outer edges, feeling dirty, like a sneak thief. Although he was actually something so much worse.


    The band was playing soft ambient music.


    Prin headed to the bathroom, and seeing no sign of anyone he recognized, he went in and washed his hands and face, rinsing out his mouth with cold water. The mirror over the sink revealed nothing, not one drop of blood.


    Almost as though there had never been a body after all. But he could taste it. Memory could lie, eyes could lie, but the sticky sour copper taste in his mouth was all too real.


    He needed Elwin.


    Prin left the bathroom and went looking for, well anyone, really. He took a glass of champagne figuring his headache couldn¡¯t get any worse anyway. And he had to do something about this awful taste.


    He still was afraid that he had done something to Valor. He was there, he was there with the monster, and then he wasn¡¯t. What else was the most logical conclusion?


    Prin drank down the champagne and saw Dru coming toward him. Great, the second most useless one.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Dru smiled at him. ¡°You don¡¯t look so hot. Drink too much?¡±


    Prin frowned and shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, just tired I guess.¡±


    ¡°You and me both. Do you think we¡¯re getting ready to leave soon?¡± She cast a furtive look behind and around herself, as though avoiding someone. ¡°I am so over it with this place.¡±


    ¡°Have you seen the others?¡± Prin asked.


    Dru shrugged. ¡°I dunno, off and on. Have you seen a girl in a slinky black dress with lace at the cuffs? Blond hair? If you do, warn me, would you?¡±


    ¡°Most of them are wearing black dresses.¡± Prin pointed out.


    ¡°Young and very pretty. Brunette.¡± Dru added helpfully.


    ¡°What did you do to her?¡± Prin asked. Did she already forget what this person looked like?


    Dru laughed. Her lack of an answer was telling in itself. ¡°Let¡¯s split up and find the others. Then we¡¯ll all meet up by the door?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± Prin said.


    The two of them went off, one to the right and one to the left.


    Prin wound his way through the people, not paying any attention to them if they stared, if they tried to talk to him. They were background scenery to him at this point. He almost cried when he saw Elwin coming toward him through the crowd.


    Elwin¡¯s dear, serious eyebrows were scrunched in concentration as he scanned the crowd. His face relaxed and he smiled when he saw Prin, his eyes alight.


    The prince couldn¡¯t help himself, he ran to Elwin and hugged him tight.


    ¡°Nice to see you again too.¡± Elwin said. His voice right next to Prin¡¯s ear made his insides flutter. And for a moment he even forgot his distress. For a moment.


    ¡°Something happened, I don¡¯t . . . I can¡¯t talk about it here.¡± Prin said. ¡°Where¡¯s Valor?¡±


    ¡°I tried to keep him distracted so you could take your time but I think he was getting annoyed with me.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°How could you tell?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°He said, You¡¯re annoying.¡± Elwin cracked a wry smile.


    Prin wanted to laugh but he was in too much misery. ¡°Where is he though? Where is he?¡±


    Elwin¡¯s brows went together again, trying to figure Prin out.


    Prin wished sometimes he would just stop trying.


    ¡°I had to leave him in a chair. He was feeling sick from tiredness and drink, even though he wouldn¡¯t admit it. This is a lot of excitement for him.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I guess. Being he doesn¡¯t leave the house much, and spends half his time looking over his shoulder. Er, figure of speech, you know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Prin asked. ¡°If you were him. Did you, you mean just now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just now. I wouldn¡¯t leave him for long. I just wanted to find you, really. Or maybe the Captain and Aster.¡± Elwin said.


    It was Prin¡¯s turn to try and figure something out. ¡°But you weren¡¯t with him the whole time I¡¯ve been gone were you? I mean aside from the last few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Sure, of course. You never know what he might get into. Or other people might try to take advantage. Of course I was with him. We split up with Aster, but Valor never left my sight.¡± Elwin said. He had gently pulled away from the hug (people were staring), and looped his arm through Prin¡¯s as they walked. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen the others, have you?¡±


    Prin frowned, his thoughts racing. Nothing made any sense. Come to think of it, it didn¡¯t make sense for Valor to have come and found him on his own like that. I mean, how? Maybe that¡¯s what had been bothering Prin. How had a blind boy been sent to come and find him? Unless one of the others was just standing very nearby. Even still. And he had made no indication that one of the others had walked down the hall with him.


    ¡°I saw Dru. She¡¯s ready to leave and said we should round everyone up and meet near the front entrance.¡± Prin said absently, barely thinking about his answer. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to Valor.¡±


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    Elwin led the way. And they soon saw a grouping of ladies and gentlemen clustered around a decorative armchair.


    Prin let go of Elwin quickly and ran to Valor, afraid that something was wrong.


    ¡°He¡¯s with me!¡± He told the people. ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    A young lady who had been holding a wet towel and preparing to apply it to Valor¡¯s face and another who held a glass of water, turned to Prin.


    ¡°Oh good, you¡¯re here.¡± One of them said. ¡°This is his date.¡± She said to the others. ¡°Maybe ill? He seems to be out like a light.¡±


    ¡°We were worried!¡± Said the other.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Prin said awkwardly. He was sure they were judging him for leaving the vulnerable boy alone. Even if it had been Elwin who did it.


    Valor was fast asleep in the chair, leaning a little too far to the side as though he was in the beginning stages of sliding onto the floor.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take it from here.¡± Elwin took the glass of water and the towel from the other party guests and stood between them and Valor, giving them a look meant to shoo them away.


    One of the girls frowned in disapproval, but her and her friends wandered off, looking back over their shoulders and no doubt gossiping about them.


    Prin sighed. ¡°He¡¯s okay, I think.¡±


    Elwin put the wet towel on Valor¡¯s head, which made his eyes shoot open. ¡°What did you do that for?¡± He put his hand to his head.


    Prin couldn¡¯t hold himself back any longer and hugged Valor, pulling him to his feet. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re okay, you¡¯re fine. Thank the gods!¡±


    Valor¡¯s mouth opened in a startled o, and the towel fell off his head and hit the floor with a wet plop. ¡°You¡¯re the one who ditched me, not the other way around.¡± He reminded. ¡°Did you talk to her?¡±


    Prin chose to ignore this question, as he didn¡¯t know how to answer it even if he wanted to.


    ¡°We¡¯re all tired. Shouldn¡¯t we head home?¡± Prin suggested. He couldn¡¯t wait to get Elwin alone and tell him all about what had happened, as much as he could remember anyway. Maybe have a cry about it. He definitely felt like he could use one.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Valor said, undercutting it in the middle with a yawn. Very cute.


    Prin kept his arm around the smaller young man as they reentered the fray.


    ¡°As soon as we can find everyone.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Easier said than done.¡±


    Valor wrinkled his nose. ¡°Did you hurt yourself?¡± He asked.


    Prin had a flashback to him asking it before, are you injured. ¡°No, no, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°You ¨C There¡¯s a smell of blood in the air.¡± Valor said. ¡°Are you sure you aren¡¯t cut?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s you who¡¯s had a scrape.¡± Elwin suggested. ¡°We¡¯ll check you over when we get home.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I don¡¯t think so. But maybe.¡± Valor said.


    Prin rather wished he would shut up about it.


    Luckily, before any more questions could be asked, they spotted Aster and the captain a little ways away, chatting with another couple. Aster spotted them as well and disengaged from the other couple.


    It seemed like they were having an interesting conversation, Aster and Captain Thompson, as they walked over to meet the others.


    ¡°Which one?¡± Captain Thompson was asking. ¡°Her too? Both of them?¡± He shook his head, a note of amazed irritation in his voice, but his little smile, evoked grudging admiration.


    Aster shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯s my social life. It¡¯s just work.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I would have done it for free. In my younger days.¡± The captain laughed, his beard waggling jauntily. ¡°You can understand though, I want you all to myself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what they all say.¡± Aster laughed.


    When they got close enough to touch, Prin considered hugging Aster too. But, decided he had been weird enough out in public for one night, especially considering the circumstances. He didn¡¯t want to draw any further attention to himself (wasn¡¯t there still a dead woman around here somewhere unaccounted for?). Also, his hands were full with Valor, who was leaning against him heavily.


    Aster gave him one of her more angelic smiles. ¡°Why hello boys, fancy meeting you here.¡±


    ¡°It really is fancy.¡± Elwin said.


    Aster laughed, though she was the only one to acknowledge he was funny. Poor Elwin.


    ¡°Can we get out of here?¡± Prin asked. ¡°Soon?¡± He tried to keep his voice calm and steady, not wanting to seem too eager to flee the scene of the crime.


    ¡°My boy looks like he¡¯s had enough.¡± Captain Thompson said fondly. ¡°I trust no great calamity has occurred?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Not yet.¡± Valor said ominously.


    ¡°Well you better get on it then, you¡¯re almost out of time!¡± Aster teased, looking at an imaginary pocket watch.


    ¡°Dru is supposed to be meeting us near the front door.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I think we¡¯ve all probably had enough.¡±


    Aster looked around the room. ¡°You know, the funny thing about it is . . . Freya never came back with the surprise.¡± She didn¡¯t mention that Prin had been sent to go talk to her, almost as though she forgot. Or, didn¡¯t want to bring it up in case it hadn¡¯t gone well, more like. She stuck out her lower lip in a cutely exaggerated pout. ¡°I wanted to wait for the surprise.¡±


    ¡°Others have already left.¡± The captain pointed out. ¡°Maybe there was no grand finale after all? Just a rumor? Or she got distracted with something else and forgot about it.¡± He laughed.


    ¡°That must be it.¡± Aster¡¯s eyes met Prin¡¯s, searching, then letting go.


    Prin was so antsy to get out of there he could only offer a weak watery smile in return.


    ¡°Oh, my pup, come here.¡± The captain took Valor from Prin, looking as though he wanted to pick him up like a baby, and may have been fully capable of it too, but thought better and simply walked toward the front entrance with his arm around his son, supporting him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let go.¡± Valor protested mildly.


    ¡°Sure y¡¯are.¡± His father agreed.


    The others followed placidly behind them.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Elwin whispered to Prin.


    ¡°I can¡¯t- not now.¡± Prin said. ¡°Not here. Later.¡±


    Wrena and Dru were both waiting for them beside the door, making their party complete, though Wrena had her arms crossed decisively in front of her and was side eying Dru like they would have a lot to talk about later.


    Prin was not sure if their behavior towards each other was normal for cousins, but had more important things on his mind.


    When she saw them coming, Dru hurried outside to arrange for their carriages to be brought around.


    They got into the carriages in the same configuration as before. Prin squeezed Elwin¡¯s hand, then reluctantly released it as they were separated for the, thankfully short, journey.


    Inside the carriage, Valor cuddled up next to Prin, leaning his head on Prin¡¯s shoulder and quickly falling back to sleep.


    ¡°Awww. Do you think he had fun tonight?¡± Captain Thompson asked softly.


    ¡°Nothing disastrous happened to him, which was already much better than he expected.¡± Prin said. Although disastrous things did happen to others. . .


    ¡°Sure he did.¡± Aster cooed. ¡°And now people at least . . . know he exists? May be good for his social life going forward.¡± She beamed at the captain.


    Captain Thompson snorted. ¡°Social life?¡±


    ¡°Boop.¡± Aster poked the captain¡¯s nose. ¡°Have to let the little birdies leave the nest some time. Might as well get them prepared for it.¡±


    Aster turned back to Prin. ¡°Right? You know him better than me.¡± She suddenly leaned in close to Prin. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s that? Did your spider catch a bug?¡±


    Prin looked down at his necklace. Hanging from the strand of beads, next to the golden spider, was what looked to be a folded in half green leaf. It was small, only about an inch and a half in length. He was pretty sure it hadn¡¯t been there when Elwin gave him the necklace.


    ¡°A moth?¡± Aster stuck out one dainty finger and poked the ¡°leaf¡±.


    It immediately stirred to life, darting from the necklace and fluttering around the carriage interior in a flurry of silent, silken wings.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± Aster laughed, startled at the suddenness of it.


    As quickly as it began, the flapping critter landed on Aster and settled down, all but disappearing among the faux flowers at Asters bust.


    ¡°I guess you can come home with me, as long as you don¡¯t eat fabric.¡± Aster teased.


    ¡°Let me kill that for you.¡± The captain offered, reaching out to capture the thing.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t!¡± Aster put her hand protectively over her chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to cause offense.¡± The captain said. ¡°It will move on to the next flower when it¡¯s ready.¡±


    Aster smiled apologetically at the captain and took his hand, kissing it. ¡°You didn¡¯t. I guess I just have a soft spot for little flying things.¡±

 Chapter 74

    Over the short carriage ride, Prin was lulled by the motion of the horses and the soft murmured conversation between Captain Thompson and Aster into a doze. The steady even breathing of Valor beside him syncing with his own.


    When the carriage arrived, the prince was tempted to think that the entirety of the night¡¯s events had been a dream. How nice if it had been.


    Elwin opened the door to the carriage and reached up to help Prin down.


    ¡°Would the two of you mind taking care of Valor?¡± The captain asked. ¡°I¡¯d like to see Rose safely home.¡±


    ¡°Of course we will.¡± Elwin said. After helping Prin down and giving him a brief hug, he went around to the other side and guided Valor, still three quarters asleep, out of his seat and safely onto the pavement.


    Valor shivered and blinked drowsily, clearly confused about where he even was and what was happening.


    ¡°Goodnight!¡± Aster called, waving to them as the carriage departed again.


    ¡°Ugh, father is going back to the whorehouse? He¡¯s not had enough excitement for one night?¡± Wrena looked miserable and determined to make everyone else join her. In other words, about the same as usual.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame him.¡± Dru said mildly. ¡°Probably just trying to get his money¡¯s worth.¡±


    ¡°You would say that!¡± Wrena stomped around the back of the house to enter through the kitchen door.


    ¡°Hey! I don¡¯t have to pay for it.¡± Dru followed her around and into the house. ¡°Never in my life!¡±


    ¡°So noisy.¡± Valor complained pushing his glassed up to rub at his sleepy eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you to bed.¡± Elwin said gently. He walked around and into the house with his arm around Valor, guiding him. ¡°Do you want a bath first?¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to drown me?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°What a thing to say.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I take that as a no?¡±


    Prin trailed behind them, his eyelids drooping shut and being startled awake multiple times as they walked. Selfishly he wished he had Elwin to himself, taking care of him, instead of the younger boy. Interloper. The strange word, a bit foreign to his own vocabulary, though he knew what it meant, pried his eyes open wider for a moment.


    Sometimes it was like someone else¡¯s thoughts and memories were rising in him. Floating to the surface like something buoyant in the water. Speaking of interlopers.


    They walked Valor to his room, past the tut tutting Mrs. Frances, who would have to wait until tomorrow to hear how the evening went.


    ¡°You can go on to bed if you want.¡± Elwin told Prin. ¡°This won¡¯t take long.¡±


    ¡°No, no. It¡¯s alright.¡± Prin yawned. He shook himself awake and went in ahead of them.


    The two cats were curled up on a white bed pillow, like strokes of midnight, like holes in milk. One opened glowing eyes, just a slit, and wagged it¡¯s tail in appreciation at the return of their master.


    Prin turned down the bed covers and got a fresh night shirt out for Valor, while Elwin took off his shoes and helped him undress.


    ¡°Should I hang this up?¡± Elwin smoothed the suit jacket.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Valor mumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll never wear it again.¡±


    ¡°O-oh, look at you. Too good to wear the same suit to two different parties.¡± Elwin teased. He split the difference and draped the suit nicely over a chair.


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    ¡°No, I mean . . .¡± Valor trailed. He raised his arms and allowed Prin to put his night shirt on him.


    ¡°I know what you mean.¡± Elwin said gently. ¡°I¡¯m just giving you a hard time. After tonight¡¯s success don¡¯t you think you¡¯ll go to more parties?¡±


    ¡°I doubt it.¡± Valor said, yawning.


    Prin flopped down on Valor¡¯s bed, feeling the heavy pull of sleep on all four limbs. Like quicksand.


    Elwin guided Valor into the bed and pulled the covers up over him, tucking him in.


    ¡°Well, I think you did pretty good tonight.¡± Elwin told him. ¡°You didn¡¯t let anything upset you.¡±


    ¡°Nothing happened to upset me.¡± Valor said. He patted the two cats on one side of him, and Prin on the other, as though he were just a third cat familiar. ¡°The ceiling didn¡¯t cave in. And no one tripped and spilled an entire punch bowl over my head.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have an allergic reaction, or be attacked by some rich lady¡¯s purse dog.¡± Elwin added.


    ¡°There was no earthquake that split the building in two and dropped us into the center of the earth to live among the dinosaurs.¡± Valor said. His hand felt nice scritch scratching the top of Prin¡¯s head. Prin realized he was still wearing the flower crown and it was getting itchy.


    Everything Prin could think of to add was very dark, too dark for right before bedtime. So, he blurted out the first acceptable thing that came to mind, no matter how absurd. ¡°You didn¡¯t get lured into the woods by forest spirits.¡±


    ¡°There wasn¡¯t even a tornado.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Or an indoor thunderstorm.¡± Prin said dreamily.


    ¡°So I guess it was a success after all.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Valor agreed softly.


    ¡°Goodnight.¡± Elwin said at last. He reached out for Prin¡¯s hands and pulled him into a, (floppily) standing position. ¡°Hup we go.¡±


    ¡°G¡¯night.¡± Prin said. ¡°Little man.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not little.¡± Valor grumped, but his heart wasn¡¯t in it, he was too sleepy. ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    When Elwin and Prin were about to step through the door and into the hallway, they heard a barely audible. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Would it be crazy to say, I think we¡¯re good for him?¡± Elwin mused when they were back in their room.


    Prin lay down on the bed. ¡°You would almost think.¡±


    ¡°Alright, lets get you undressed before you fall asleep in your suit.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± Prin admitted.


    Elwin took off Prin¡¯s shoes and flower crown, and unfastened the necklace. ¡°Are we supposed to give this back to the captain?¡±


    ¡°I would say so.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin placed it carefully on the side table. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± He was examining Prin¡¯s hand. On the other hand from the rings he already had, was a third ring. It was a pinkish rosy-gold color with three emerald stones across it. ¡°Where¡¯d you get it? . . . Is it Freya¡¯s? Did she give it to you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Prin pulled his hand away and threw his arm up over his face. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened.¡± He could feel tears prickle his eyes but was almost too tired to cry them. ¡°I think I killed her.¡± He whispered.


    Elwin, who was helping him out of his suit pants, paused with one leg on and one leg off. ¡°You what? I did not see that coming.¡±


    ¡°You know . . . I don¡¯t know . . . She started freaking out at me. Called me something, Spider boy? . . . Something . . . She was yelling, and she wouldn¡¯t listen! And then she threw something. I think? Like a smoke bomb? Or maybe it was a bit of magic. And it knocked me out, or rather, it made me go away inside of myself? I can¡¯t explain it. But when I woke up . . .¡±


    Elwin resumed taking the clothes off of Prin gently, slowly, as though afraid of startling him with sudden movements. ¡°You had eaten her?¡±


    ¡°No. Yes. Yes, but, she was gone. . . There was no body. And but . . . before that, Valor was there?¡± Prin let out a sobbing breath. ¡°He said he would help me, only it wasn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°A dream. Only a dream.¡± Elwin said. He kissed Prin¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be a dream because she was gone and there was a giant red stain on the floor. . . Oh what will I tell people? Everyone will ask.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should get some sleep now and think more clearly in the morning.¡± Elwin suggested. ¡°Maybe you didn¡¯t even kill her at all, but it was all part of some hallucination?¡±


    Prin put his head in his hands. ¡°No-oo, that¡¯s not, that¡¯s not even possible.¡±


    Elwin slipped Prin¡¯s night shirt over his head. ¡°I believe you. You¡¯re just so tired. I think we both need to rest. Okay? Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡± Prin said. He snuggled into the pillows.


    Elwin settled in beside Prin and wrapped his arms around him. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Prin couldn¡¯t believe he could still sleep after everything, but it came over him like a heavy curtain after a show. Deep velvet and final.


    *


    The next morning, Elwin woke up to the sound of bird song out the window and a beam of sunlight hitting him in the face. Looked like an unseasonably beautiful day was brewing. He would have to get some coffee to go with that.


    Elwin stretched his hands up over his head, luxuriantly. Of course, he had slept in his suit. After helping two other people get out of theirs. He could either laugh or cry about it.


    He took off his suit jacket and went to toss it away from him over the foot of the bed where he had draped Prin¡¯s when he noticed something strange.


    The once gold suit was covered in thick cloying stains of red and brown.


    Prin¡¯s suit was full of blood.

 Chapter 75

    Elwin¡¯s mind went blank with panic. His whole body froze.


    When he had recovered enough to try and make sense of things, he looked hurriedly beside him. His prince was sleeping like an angel, settled into the pillows, blanket tucked around him. Just as he had left him the night before. But somehow, somehow . . . he must have been up in the middle of the night without Elwin noticing.


    He must have been up in the middle of the night eating. And this mess meant more then a midnight snack. Someone in Captain Thompson¡¯s house would be dead. Not much to show for themselves besides red bones. Elwin shuddered.


    Elwin folded back the covers, still careful not to wake him, although he wasn¡¯t even sure why. Prin¡¯s night shirt was clean, as well as his face. Elwin leaned in closer, his breath tickling Prin and causing his nose to twitch and a little smile to grace his sweet mouth. There, was that a little dark smudge near his ear? He lifted one of Prin¡¯s hands. It was clean, except for maybe a smear on his forearm that could be dirt, chocolate, or anything. If it was blood it was long dry.


    Elwin was perplexed, the shock lifted a little and he had to think, how was this in any way logical? He had to try and put the sequence together in a way that made sense.


    They arrived at their room, Elwin helped him change clothes, he put his suit from the party back on, ate someone in the house, took his suit back off and draped it across the bed exactly where Elwin had placed it himself? Then, washed up, put his night shirt back on, and climbed back into the bed. All without Elwin noticing a thing. He had been tired but not that tired.


    Maybe someone else had taken the suit and doused it in animal blood before returning it? As some kind of threat? Still, all without waking either of them up? And the door had been locked before they went to bed . . . Elwin had seen to that himself. It was farfetched anyway.


    Elwin lifted the soiled suit jacket closer to his face to make sure he was right about what the stains were. Although . . . what else could it be?


    How could he ascertain that everyone in the house was present and accounted for, or in fact, who wasn¡¯t?


    ¡°It¡¯s early.¡± Prin mumbled. He put a hand over his eyes to shield them from the invading sun.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I mean, not really. I just don¡¯t understand. Help me understand this, I am lost here.¡± He knew when he was stumped, and this right here was a pisser.


    Prin opened one eye and peeked through his fingers. ¡°Well . . . sun come up, light come in. Which part is confusing?¡± He laughed. ¡°Lay back down, El.¡±


    ¡°Prin, were you in bed all night?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°You didn¡¯t get up at any point, to go pee or anything? Or find yourself in the hallway unexpectedly?¡±


    Prin sat up, the smile drifting from his face to reveal a look of concern, as he began to pick up that Elwin¡¯s fear and confusion were real. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. I never really do. Why?¡±


    Elwin, not knowing how to properly explain himself, picked up the heavily stained suit jacket slowly from where it lay, now crumpled on the foot of the bed.


    ¡°Is that my suit!?¡± Prin¡¯s mouth fell open. ¡°I- oh no. What happened?¡± His tone held the dismay of someone who has ruined an outfit with a big pot of soup, or something of that unsinister nature. He put his hand on Elwin¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s a shame but, it¡¯s okay, the party was probably a one time thing anyway. And maybe the tailors ¨C Or maybe Aster, knows how to fix it?¡±


    Elwin felt his eyes squint, incredulous. ¡°Do you think I did something to this jacket?¡±


    ¡°Not on purpose . . .¡± Prin said. ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t that what you¡¯re trying to tell me?¡±


    ¡° . . .no . . .¡± Elwin snorted out a quick laugh, which broke the tension significantly. Whatever happened, Prin was still his own Prin, and at least that was good to know.


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    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s ¨C I forgot about last night. I can¡¯t believe I managed to sleep like that after what happened. But I was so exhausted. I¡¯m sorry Elwin.¡± The prince gave him a plaintive look. With his wide eyes, black curls tousled to an ungovernable state, and lower lip trembling, he looked like a black lamb. Like a children¡¯s book illustration of a black lamb, even.


    ¡°What are you sorry about?¡± Elwin put his arms around Prin and pulled him close. He was too cute, Elwin couldn¡¯t look him straight in the eyes and still concentrated on what was going on. Whatever it was that was going on. Which he still couldn¡¯t figure out.


    ¡°I ate the witch.¡± Prin said miserably. ¡°And I didn¡¯t even get to ask her my questions first.¡± He buried his face in Elwin¡¯s shoulder, adding in a muffled voice. ¡°Which is worse? That I didn¡¯t get my answers, or that I am still worried about it now that a woman is dead? . . . Another one.¡±


    ¡°No, no, no.¡± Elwin shook his head. ¡°The blood wasn¡¯t there last night. Don¡¯t you think someone would have said something? I mean, my gods, that¡¯s a lot of blood. Everyone would have noticed, how could anyone not? I was half convinced ¨C No, I let myself believe that somehow you were mistaken. That you hit your head or fainted or something and the whole thing was a dream. Since some of what you were saying didn¡¯t make any sense. But even if it was all true . . . None of this still makes any sense.¡± He sighed. ¡°What if it is all true? What then? Okay, the blood disappeared!? And reappeared like magic ink?¡±


    Prin gasped. ¡°That¡¯s the only thing that it could be! You¡¯re a genius.¡± He pulled away from Elwin¡¯s arms and sat up straight.


    ¡°No, impossible. Not possible. I was just saying something absurd. Disappearing and reappearing blood isn¡¯t a thing.¡± Elwin said firmly. What kind of world had he woken up in? Or had it started back then, with the curse . . . And it snuck up on him stranger and stranger ever since. He shook his head to snap himself out of it. This was no time to get all dreamy.


    ¡°Oh my goddess! That explains where the body went! It disappeared!¡± Prin said. ¡°Elwin, don¡¯t you see? It was there all along, I just couldn¡¯t see it. And now it¡¯s probably back!¡± His eyes were even bigger then before, dinner plates. Big enough to suck in any visual information that happened to be floating by. Like those giant whales that opened their big enormous mouths and just let the tiny creatures swim themselves inside to be eaten.


    ¡°All of this from a messy suit jacket? I don¡¯t know.¡± Elwin said. He couldn¡¯t control his skepticism. Though his world had changed he was still by and large the same sensible Elwin he had always been. For now. Change is a lot harder for a person, then for a world. Apparently.


    Prin hopped out of bed in one sudden movement, like a scalded frog. ¡°Valor was there. Was that part real too?¡± He headed quickly to the door and began fumbling with the lock.


    ¡°Hold on a second. Don¡¯t you want to get dressed first?¡± Elwin asked. He stumbled trying to get out from under the blankets, hurrying to catch up.


    Prin ignored Elwin and hurried to Valor¡¯s room. Without knocking he threw open the door and went inside.


    Elwin did his best to keep up and closed the door quietly behind them.


    Prin hurried to the bed and stood over the sleeping boy.


    The black cats had moved to lay across his chest like a pair of discarded fur collars, floppy, limp, and decorative.


    Valor was stark white in contrast to their darkness. He almost blended into the sheets. He was still enough that his corpse like appearance drew a little whimper of fear from the overwrought Prin.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± Elwin said gently, softly, trying not to wake the young master. ¡°He always looks like an icicle.¡±


    Prin put his hand near the boy¡¯s nose, feeling his breath. For a long moment he watched the cats go up and down as Valor breathed deeply beneath them. ¡°You¡¯re right. He¡¯s okay.¡±


    Elwin picked up the suit jacket from the chair where he had draped it the night before. Smudges of blood decorated the front of the jacket, nothing like the other one, but a most probably ruining amount of the stuff. ¡°Prin, look.¡± Elwin said quietly, the gears in his brain chugging along.


    ¡°He was there.¡± Prin said in awe. ¡°He-He was in the room and he knows about what I did.¡±


    ¡°No, no, it can¡¯t be.¡± Elwin insisted. ¡°Valor was with me almost the whole time you were gone. There has to be another¡ª¡±


    ¡°The blood. Blood can disappear, I guess . . . but it doesn¡¯t lie!¡± Prin said desperately.


    ¡°You hugged him.¡± Elwin said suddenly. ¡°You hugged him with the wet blood on your suit, the blood we couldn¡¯t see, but now we can.¡±


    ¡°But I hugged you too!¡± Prin said.


    ¡°And my jacket must have blood on it too.¡± Elwin had left it in their room so he couldn¡¯t prove his assertion. ¡°Keep in mind, though, it¡¯s black. Not pale like this one. So it might not be as noticeable.¡±


    ¡°Ahh, so he really wasn¡¯t there. That part was a dream after all.¡± Prin said, relief in his voice.


    ¡°This is your curse, isn¡¯t it.¡± A familiarly imperious voice from behind them spoke up.


    Prin and Elwin turned around to see Valor staring into and through them with his sightless eyes. Impaled as they were, they had no choice but to stay in one spot, stunned into silence while he spoke.


    Valor leaned forward. ¡°Tell me everything.¡±

 Chapter 76

    ¡°Valor, are you alright?¡± Elwin asked softly. ¡°I think you had a bad dream.¡± Elwin wondered if they could convince the boy to go back to sleep he would forget about whatever it was he just heard.


    Valor gave them a wry little smile. ¡°Always. But what does that have to do with anything?¡±


    Okay, so fat chance that would happen. Elwin looked over at Prin, suddenly nervous. What would he do? Would he see this as a threat? Or just ignore him?


    Prin¡¯s face was stricken. He sat down on the end of Valor¡¯s bed. ¡°There are some things . . . you really don¡¯t want to know.¡± He said.


    What if he did want to know? Elwin looked back and forth from one to the other.


    ¡°Oh, shut up.¡± Valor said. Then, softer. ¡°My curse has killed people too.¡±


    Prin exchanged looks with Elwin. His eyes said: Should I? Should I?


    Elwin shook his head. He didn¡¯t see what good telling a temperamental teenager a secret that could get the both of them thrown on a pyre would do.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same.¡± Prin said simply.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be helping each other!¡± Valor said. ¡°I mean, you said you would help me, much as I doubt it¡¯s possible. Don¡¯t you think maybe I can help you too? Or do you not think I¡¯m capable . . .¡±


    ¡°No! That¡¯s not it!¡± Prin insisted. ¡°It¡¯s just . . .¡±


    ¡°Then, you don¡¯t think I can keep a secret.¡± Valor nodded his head sagely, and petted a cat with each hand, like some stately royal villain.


    Elwin decided they may be a match for each other stubborn-wise. Whatever happened, happened. There wasn¡¯t much he could do about it.


    ¡°In that case, I already know too much.¡± Valor said. ¡°You¡¯ll just have to kill me too.¡±


    Prin laughed nervously. ¡°Don¡¯t be absurd.¡±


    Elwin chewed on his lower lip. He had to wonder if Valor could feel in the air the realness of how his life hung in the balance. How true his words had just been. And he was calling Prin¡¯s bluff in the ultimate game of chicken. Or, just didn¡¯t care all that much what happened to himself.


    Either that or he had slightly misjudged things in his childish arrogance and simply thought there was no way Prin would harm him. That they were too good of friends, somehow, after this short time, for that.


    Prin crawled across the bed and settled in beside Valor. The look on his face said resignation, tiredness but maybe, a little, relief?


    ¡°To start with, I am a prince.¡± Prin said. ¡°If that hadn¡¯t been my circumstances of birth, none of the rest of it would have happened.¡±


    The prince took his time in the telling of his life story. Even if it did focus heavily on the last few weeks, the only time when anything happened really.


    Elwin went to get them breakfast after a while but, other then that, sat quietly at the foot of the bed listening. Checking the hallway once in a while for nosey nellies, but there was never anyone there. No one disturbed them.


    Eventually he got up to the part that covered the events from the night before. He told Valor about hurrying down the private hallway to talk to the witch, then paused, remembering something he had not yet told anybody.


    ¡°They were talking, Freya and her assistant. About the big surprise, I think.¡± Prin took a drink of water and picked at the pastry Elwin had brought him. ¡°Something . . . about a room or hall of curiosities? And everyone would love . . . the bug. That¡¯s what they kept saying, something about an insect or a bug, that was supposed to be a part of it. And Freya was supposed to be bringing it out with her. But, the assistant, or whoever she was, kept saying it was dangerous, and Freya shouldn¡¯t keep it.¡±


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    ¡°Hmm, the plot thickens.¡± Valor said. He had remained mostly quiet this whole time but then said the one thing truly a book reading nerd would say. Maybe, in some ways, he and Prin were two of a kind after all. Besides the obvious.


    ¡°Judging from what people were saying, no one seems to know what the surprise was supposed to be.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Except the assistant.¡± Valor said thoughtfully. ¡°It would be interesting to talk to her.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how we would manage that. But at least she didn¡¯t see me.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°So, after the overheard conversation?¡± Valor prompted.


    ¡°Oh, right. I hid in the shadows, like the snake I am.¡± Prin said miserably. ¡°When the assistant came out and went down the hallway.¡±


    ¡°It was good instincts.¡± Elwin said.


    Valor frowned in Elwin¡¯s general direction, obviously wishing him to keep his mouth shut so he could forget he was there.


    ¡°Then, I went into Freya¡¯s office.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°The bug?¡± Valor wanted to know.


    ¡°I- it all happened so fast, I don¡¯t think I saw it. Or maybe it was hidden somewhere . . . Or I just wasn¡¯t paying attention. Because she started yelling at me and smoke, a weird smelling smoke filled the room. Is this a signature witch move?¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Probably.¡± Valor said. ¡°Also the trick of a cheap magician trying to seem otherworldly.¡±


    ¡°She acted like she recognized me in some way! Called me spider boy, or something. I don¡¯t know, because I am fairly certain ¨C no, completely certain, we had never met before in my life. Then she attacked me, I think? This part is very fuzzy and I think I passed out. Or . . . it took over. The cursed thing, the thing that craves flesh ¨C¡± Prin said, a faraway look momentarily passing over the blue of his eyes, like cloud covering.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get weird on me.¡± Valor said.


    Prin laughed. ¡°I just am, I¡¯m sorry Valor.¡±


    ¡°Well, me too.¡± Valor said. ¡°Anyway, so, what else do you remember?¡±


    ¡°I remember I was ¨C It was eating her, and then you came to the door!¡± Prin said. ¡°And you smelled the blood. And you knew there was a body and said your father would help bury it?¡±


    ¡°That was a hallucination, or some form of trickery.¡± Valor said. ¡°Although, it doesn¡¯t sound out of character. Like it seems like what may have happened if it actually had been me at the door.¡±


    ¡°Do you think someone really was at the door, someone else?¡± Prin wondered, as though the possibility had only just occurred to him.


    ¡°How could I know?¡± Valor asked. ¡°I only know it wasn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°I know it wasn¡¯t. You had an alibi.¡± Prin said in a teasing tone.


    ¡°And you were sick with drink.¡± Elwin said.


    Valor¡¯s eyes narrowed with a glare.


    Elwin vowed internally to try and quit interjecting.


    ¡°After that, the next thing I knew I was waking up really me this time. Me like I am right now. And my head hurt a lot and I was really confused. Was it because of the drugged smoke? Anyway, the room was a wreck like a tremendous fight had occurred, that part I still don¡¯t remember, or if anything it was more like an explosion almost. But I knew, vaguely what I had done. However, there was no Freya, no trace of her at all, except for a huge red stain on the carpet. And, I think? The door was locked? Anyway, I sort of snuck out. And I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face, trying to come out of it a little. And I hugged Elwin and then I saw you and I hugged you too. We think that¡¯s how the blood got on your suit. I¡¯m sorry about that.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Valor said. ¡°More importantly, the disappearing reappearing blood?¡±


    ¡°It reappeared this morning. All over our suits, or maybe some time in the middle of the night.¡± Prin said. ¡°You would think if Freya . . . but how could she? And why? But even if she had, wouldn¡¯t the spell break when she died? She is dead, we¡¯re sure of that right?¡± Prin¡¯s eyes went as wide as pie plates at the thought.


    ¡°Judging by the amount of blood on your jacket, most certainly.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And the big stain?¡± He had temporarily forgotten his vow not to talk anymore.


    Prin put his hand over his stomach. ¡°It feels like I ate her. I can tell.¡±


    ¡°The illusion could be on a time limit. Gradually wearing off after so many hours. But how, or why, would Freya put an illusion on you? And would she even have been capable. I doubt it.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I got the impression she was at least somewhat real.¡± Prin said. ¡°Maybe a real witch but not a very strong one, shoring up the bit of natural ability with parlor tricks.¡±


    ¡°Another witch could have been nearby.¡± Valor said. ¡°Besides Freya. This is a skill witch¡¯s have, it¡¯s in the books. Making things not really so much go away entirely, but just making them temporarily appear gone. A trick of the eye but on a mass scale effecting all onlookers. It¡¯s in the books.¡± He repeated. ¡°Or, even making themselves look like someone else, that kind of thing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not something I can do myself, I know that.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Maybe you can!¡± Elwin said. ¡°The other you . . .¡±


    ¡°No, no, I don¡¯t know.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°You know who else besides witches can do these things? In fact, they¡¯re even more notorious for being able to cast illusions?¡± Valor asked. ¡°According to books, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Prin asked hurriedly, practically tripping over that one simple word in his eagerness to get it out.


    ¡°Fae.¡± Valor said. ¡°Fairies. Whatever you want to call them. And it¡¯s not uncommon, according to books, to have them appear as a small flying insect or other innocuous creature. In other words, a bug.¡±

 Chapter 77

    ¡°Fairies? Are real!?¡± Prin exclaimed, an excited gleam in his eye. He put his hand to his mouth as though he had to partially conceal his expression of shocked delight.


    Elwin was glad to see him happy about something, after the shocks he had to his system, but he didn¡¯t want him to get his hopes up. ¡°Witches ¨C Magic users are one thing.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But fairies are the stuff of children¡¯s stories and folktales. Aren¡¯t they just a way humans explain the unexplainable? Or something.¡±


    Valor narrowed his eyes, in an expression that said he had quite enough of Elwin¡¯s bullshit. Like an exasperated parent. ¡°You are somehow in a position to disbelieve such things?¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t ever leave our home town before recently.¡± Prin said. ¡°This is true.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying they tend to make themselves known to humans all the time. It seems they keep a low profile, and use their magic to stay hidden.¡± Valor said. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯ve never actually met one. That I know of.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it just fit with the story though!¡± Prin said. ¡°So, if Freya had a fairy and somehow in the commotion it got free . . . why would it make the blood disappear? That¡¯s the part I don¡¯t understand. Wouldn¡¯t it just fly off quickly and go back home without looking back?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it somehow credited you with rescuing it, and was trying to do you a favor before it left. To help you escape.¡± Valor said. After a moment of contemplation he added. ¡°It must have hated Freya a great deal.¡±


    They were all silent for a moment, before Prin said. ¡°You would hate someone who held you captive.¡±


    Elwin couldn¡¯t help thinking of the lonely prince in the tower, not expressly forbidden, but certainly not exactly allowed to leave his room. Like something to be ashamed of. It made him angry just thinking about it, more so now that he had some distance, even then it did at the time. And it made him pretty angry at the time. How could parents do that to their child? Just hide him away and wait for him to die?


    ¡°And with plans to do who knows what with you.¡± Valor said. ¡°Yes, you certainly would.¡±


    Suddenly Prin went pale. ¡°If the body has shown back up, on the carpet, in the state it will be in . . . People will have found it by now.¡±


    ¡°So what? They won¡¯t associate it with you.¡± Valor said.


    ¡° . . . I hope not.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°The stain. Why wasn¡¯t it made to disappear too? When the body was?¡± Elwin hated to be the one to point it out.¡±


    ¡°Hey yeah!¡± Prin said.


    Valor shrugged. ¡°They missed a spot. An oversight. Or they had used up enough power already and needed a recharge.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the body continued to bleed and the stain represented the new blood, from after the spell had been cast.¡± Elwin suggested, not really sure if an invisible body could bleed visible blood. But why not, there didn¡¯t seem to be any particular rules to this thing. At least none that they could understand.


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    ¡°I wish we could get back into that office and poke around.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see how that would be possible.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And just poking around would arouse suspicion.¡±


    ¡°It could still be there! The fae thing, the bug.¡± Valor said excitedly.


    ¡°What if, with it¡¯s magic, it could do something to counter the curse! Both of the curses.¡± Prin said. He clasped Valor¡¯s hand in his.


    ¡°Fairies are very temperamental.¡± Valor cautioned. ¡°They could twist your wishes into unimaginable shapes. And that¡¯s if they even agree to do it. They don¡¯t work for free.¡±


    ¡°All this comes from books! What do we really know about them?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°That they exist.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Maybe. And can be captured, however temporarily.¡±


    Prin nodded, agreeing that was indeed all they knew.


    ¡°If we could only go back to that room, even if we didn¡¯t find the fairy, who knows what else she had in there.¡± Valor said. ¡°But I suppose it would have to be someone that could blend in, maybe as a servant. Not Prin because he may have been spotted near there already, and not me because . . . what good would it do when I can¡¯t see anyway.¡± He inclined his rust-blond head toward Elwin. For once his expression was regarding, entreating, and not just mildly contemptuous. Like he had finally found some way Elwin could be useful.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know . . . I¡¯m not very good at sneaking. And how would I even get in?¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I have the key!¡± Prin said suddenly. ¡°Well, to the room, not to the house.¡±


    ¡°Dru is very sneaky.¡± Valor suggested. ¡°Of course, she is not to be trusted. You can¡¯t tell her everything.¡±


    Prin squeezed Valor¡¯s hand. ¡°Val, no one must know everything. No one. It was taking a big chance for me to tell you. You understand that, right? And you are taking it really well, I have to say I¡¯m surprised.¡± He smiled sheepishly at Elwin.


    Elwin shrugged and returned the smile. What¡¯s done is done.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. You had to eat.¡± Valor told Prin. ¡°It¡¯s the witch¡¯s fault.¡± He leaned closer to Prin and rested his head on the older boy¡¯s shoulder, lowering his voice. ¡°Besides, I think it¡¯s kind of cool.¡±


    ¡°Valor! It¡¯s definitely not cool!¡± Prin pulled away from him, shocked.


    Valor only laughed. ¡°I¡¯m kidding, I¡¯m kidding. But I do think you¡¯re cool, Prin.¡±


    Prin¡¯s cheeks colored slightly. ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡±


    Elwin cleared his throat. If Valor insisted on flirting with his prince, he could at least not do it right in front of him. ¡°Back to the witch, the fairy, and the well guarded mansion?¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a great name for a book.¡± Prin couldn¡¯t help pointing out.


    ¡°Almost. I would change it to, the witch, the fairy, and the well secured castle.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Hmm, fair enough.¡± Prin nodded.


    ¡°I think, if we absolutely must get in there, we should at least wait a few days. Maybe longer.¡± Elwin said. He felt like he was the only one focusing on the matter at hand. Also, he thought they should maybe forget about the idea of breaking into Freya¡¯s office. But he didn¡¯t want to sound like a coward, or like he didn¡¯t think he could do it.


    ¡°If we wait too long then the fairy will surely be gone.¡± Valor pointed out.


    ¡°I mean, if it isn¡¯t already.¡± Prin said. ¡°The door was open.¡±


    ¡°By you.¡± Valor said thoughtfully. ¡°You would have been the first one through the door after it¡¯s escape. Maybe you were even the one who broke it free, either accidentally or . . .¡±


    ¡°I wish I could remember anything about it.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t even remember seeing the creature! What do they look like? Since you know so much.¡± He gently teased.


    ¡°Well, I think they can look like any number of things, because of their illusions.¡± Valor said. ¡°But the implication was this one looked like a bug. So, an insect of some sort.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes in books they¡¯re drawn with butterfly wings.¡± Prin said thoughtfully. ¡°Or maybe a moth . . .¡±


    Elwin could see from Prin¡¯s face that the thought had broke over him, like an egg with a runny center, at the exact same moment it had for Elwin.


    ¡°In the excitement, I completely forgot ¨C¡± Elwin started.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it slipped my mind¡ª¡± Prin spoke over him all in a rush.


    ¡°The little flying thing in the carriage.¡± Valor said, completing their collective thought, better then they could have.


    ¡°Aster!¡± Prin said. ¡°We have to go to Aster right now!¡±

 Chapter 78

    Prin tried to leave Captain Thompson¡¯s house immediately. So fast that he forgot he was barefooted and still dressed for bed. With Valor hot on his heels and in a similar condition. Although Prin¡¯s impulsiveness was motivated more by deep concern for his friend, and Valor¡¯s, no doubt, more by overwhelming curiosity.


    Elwin was somehow able to talk some sense into them right as Prin¡¯s hand was on the door leading to the courtyard. He reasoned that if the ¡°bug¡± were going to harm Aster, the damage would be done already at this point.


    Mrs. Frances and her young helper blinked at them in confused surprise, like a couple of owls in a tree, all eyes and not saying a word.


    By the time they had separated to get dressed, and then met back up in Valor¡¯s room, Valor (apparently remembering the disastrous outing to the tailors), had wanning enthusiasm for going with them.


    Instead, he insisted that if they did find a fairy they convince it to come home with them right away so Valor could interrogate it.


    Prin readily agreed.


    Elwin had his doubts.


    Prin fretted the whole way across town to Mama Kris¡¯s establishment. The noon sun made the sweat stand out on his face, even though it was a cool day. ¡°What will I say? What will I do? What will I tell Aster?¡± he asked.


    ¡°What if it really was just a moth?¡± Elwin countered.


    ¡°Can you believe how Valor reacted to my ¨C what I told him?¡± Prin wanted to know.


    They were both panting slightly as they tried to talk while power walking through the neighborhood. A couple of ladies, gossiping over the heads of their little dogs on ribbon leashes, eyeballed them with suspicion as they passed.


    ¡°Not really.¡± Elwin said, not looking directly at the women. ¡°Do you think he somehow suspected . . ?¡± He carefully coached himself not to even glance behind or around him to see who else might be looking. He didn¡¯t need to know.


    ¡°Maybe it hasn¡¯t sunk in yet.¡± Prin said. ¡°He hasn¡¯t really given it thought. The implications . . .¡±


    ¡°Maybe he just likes you that much. So much that he doesn¡¯t care.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh sto-op.¡± Prin said, giving a sound that was halfway between a weary laugh and an exasperated sigh. He paused briefly in his moving down the street.


    Momentum carried Elwin ahead a few steps before he realized, and he was forced to walk backwards to again draw even with his prince.


    Prin looked him directly in the eyes, the blue like crystal daggers, like ceremonial swords. He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped and just shook his head with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re silly.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin started off walking again. ¡°We have to hurry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true though.¡± Elwin said. That people will always be trying to take you away from me. It was something he didn¡¯t like to think about. And the next one may not be just a depressed kid, who you couldn¡¯t help but humor a little because you felt sorry for him. Well, Elwin would just have to be ready for it when that challenge came.


    Prin ignored him and kept going until they were standing in front of the pink house.


    It was pretty quiet at this time of day, just the beginning stirrings of people getting up and preparing for their evening¡¯s work.


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    ¡°Do you think this is a bad time to show up here?¡± Elwin hesitated in front of the building. Even though their friend lived here, it felt like such a strange place for them to have anything to do with. Very surreal.


    ¡°Of course not!¡± Prin said. ¡°I guess . . . she may be asleep, but it doesn¡¯t matter. This is too important. He took Elwin¡¯s arm and part guided part pulled him around to the back garden where Aster¡¯s shed was.


    It was messy in the yard today. A couple of hard scrabble, bloody kneed children played in the mud as they passed. A lot of laundry hung in colorful bands, obscuring your vision of what was ahead of you. The silken fabrics, lace, and dangling ribbons rode the breeze like dainty kites struggling to be free of their pins.


    They had to slow down and weave between obstacles to get to Aster¡¯s place. A pair of lacy underwear smacked Elwin in the face, and he could feel his cheeks heat up.


    Aster¡¯s voice, sweet and soft, was ahead of them, and Prin stuck out his hand to stop Elwin in his tracks.


    Elwin opened his mouth to ask what was up, but closed it again quietly when the pink night gown in front of him shifted with the breeze and he could see, just a few feet away from where they stood, Aster sitting on a makeshift bench. Just a board over two buckets but it did the trick.


    He half expected her to be talking to a fairy, but alas, no.


    Aster¡¯s bright red hair was loose, a messy cloud around her face, and she was wearing only a knitted shawl and her bloomers. Obviously she had been woken abruptly. She had her arms around someone who¡¯s head was drooped low.


    Even with the face concealed, Jules was unmistakable. He was still dressed in the clothes from the night before, although considerably worse for wear then they had been. His blond hair had fallen out of the bun and the long tendrils brushed the ground.


    ¡°You need to get some rest before making any decisions like that.¡± Aster said softly. ¡°It¡¯s no one¡¯s fault, really. These things happen.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t happen here!¡± Jules said, unconvinced by Aster¡¯s bland attempts at calming him. ¡°I will have Learra whipped until she can tell me who he was.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that.¡± Aster said. ¡°Yes, she is not meant for a management position but that is . . .¡±


    ¡°That poor girl.¡± Jules said. His voice had a hitch in it like he wanted to cry.


    Aster pulled him closer and wrapped her shawl around the both of them. ¡°The doctor is seeing her. There, there. I know she is a favorite of yours . . .¡±


    ¡°That has nothing to do with it.¡± Jules said wearily.


    ¡°I know, I know. Shhh.¡± Aster said gently. ¡°Do you want to take today off and stay here with me? I will tuck you in bed. Read you a story.¡±


    Jules made a small sound that may have been a hysterical giggle.


    ¡°Sounds nice, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Aster asked. ¡°Then when you¡¯ve had some rest ¨C"


    Jules lifted his head up and kissed Aster. When he pulled finally pulled away, leaving them both a bit breathless, he said simply. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°The search, both of them, will go on without you.¡± Aster said. ¡°We can talk about this,¡± she waved her hand in an all encompassing gesture. ¡°situation, later when you are more clear minded. You need to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Kris has no interest in finding the man. Just a client who did more then he paid for, as far as she¡¯s concerned. Especially now, with her head full of worry about what happened to that stupid fortune teller.¡± Jules said. ¡°Maybe under normal circumstances, but now . . .


    ¡°Then the two of us will find him. He¡¯ll probably try to come back, they always do.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°You always know the right thing to say. Why is that?¡± Jules got his arms free from under the shawl and pulled the much smaller Aster half on his lap. ¡°Is it because I¡¯m just another client to you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Aster said. ¡°You¡¯ve never paid me.¡± She winked at him, a sly smile on her lips.


    Jules laughed, although the end trailed off in a not terribly happy sound. ¡°I guess I owe you then, don¡¯t I? Quite the debt.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll put it on your tab.¡± Aster said.


    Jules leaned in for another kiss, and as he did so a gust of wind blew the clothes hard to the left, leaving Prin and Elwin suddenly exposed.


    Jules stood up quickly with a glare, all of the softening Aster had done, like gradually melting a freezing cold stick of butter, hardened immediately. Aster was tossed to the ground and sat there for a moment perhaps trying to stay out of his way.


    ¡°Forget about just Learra, I think all of you deserve a whipping.¡± He spoke to Aster, while looking directly at Elwin and Prin who were frozen in place like statues.


    Jules grabbed Aster¡¯s arm and roughly pulled her up into a standing position. ¡°Hurry up and get to work, I expect you to pick up the slack since we¡¯re down a girl.¡± He snarled.


    Jules began to stomp away but turned and hollered over his shoulder. ¡°And brush your hair, you look disgusting!¡±


    ¡°Geeze, had to add in that last part?¡± Aster said with a wry smile.


    Once he was gone, she turned to Elwin and Prin. The sun picked out strands of gold from her hair, which was beautiful even unbrushed, and her eyes were wide with nervous excitement. ¡°Hiya boys! Did you know we have a murderer loose on the island, possibly two?¡±

 Chapter 79

    Prin and Elwin exchanged a glance, barely comprehensible to the other. But Elwin liked to think it was something like, One murderer, sure? But two? That¡¯s taking it too far.


    But, who was to say what Prin was thinking? It was one of those times he didn¡¯t even know.


    ¡°Come in, come in, bunny!¡± Aster urged. She took Prin¡¯s hand in hers and led him inside her little shed house, knowing Elwin would follow along on his own.


    ¡°I need to put myself together, as, apparently I am disgusting.¡± Aster said. She tossed her shawl onto the bed and went directly to the vanity. Seeing through the mirror, the stricken look on Prin¡¯s face, she added. ¡°Oh don¡¯t mind him, I don¡¯t. He¡¯s just exhausted and overwrought at the moment. Needs someone to take it out on. You know, they just got back from the party!? You will never believe what hap-¡°


    ¡°Will you really be whipped?¡± Prin asked.


    Elwin sat down on the edge of Aster¡¯s bed, feeling awkward and out of place. Of course what else is new.


    ¡°N-aaah, well, probably not. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Aster said dismissively. ¡°Last night while Mama Kris and Jules were away, they left one of the girls in charge of the place. Learra? And something bad happened, something terrible and now he is blaming her for it. She got scapegoated.¡± Aster took the wide silver hair brush off her vanity table and pointed it at Prin. ¡°That¡¯s why it doesn¡¯t pay to be in lower management. Meanwhile it is something that could have happened no matter who was in charge. Maybe he wouldn¡¯t have gotten away though, but either way, the damage would have been done. . .¡± Aster began to brush her hair in long rhythmic strokes. ¡°That poor, poor, girl . . .¡±


    Prin sat down on the lower corner of the bed, perched really, his eyebrows knit with concern. Elwin knew that the thoughts had flown from his mind, aside from the distress that Aster may be abused in some way by the horrid temperamental Jules. He could see it in his face.


    ¡°What happened to her?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Well, sometime last night, or early this morning,¡± Aster took a deep breath, her ability to relish the telling of a juicy story, barely diminished by the terrible and recent nature of its contents. ¡°One of the younger girls, very cute. I didn¡¯t know her well myself? But Jules did and he was quite attached, apparently. Anyway, she was half killed by a client. It was a bloody mess in there. Natalia came and got me a little while ago. I¡¯m not sure why me, but there you have it. This was when Jules and Mama Kris weren¡¯t quite back yet. Anyway, so Natalia was as white as a pail of milk, I have never seen her that shaken up. And she has seen things, let me assure you! Not easily startled.¡± Aster laughed. She sobered up quickly though as it was time to describe what she saw.


    ¡°The house was all quiet, except for the kitchen, where a meal was being prepared. We don¡¯t really do breakfast, per say, it¡¯s more of a brunch situation around here. Anyway, so Natalia didn¡¯t say much, just for me to come quick, that we had a situation on our hands and the bosses were out.


    Well, she undersold it just a bit! When I got to the girl¡¯s room, Holly, I think is her name, but it¡¯s not relevant really.¡± Aster said. As she spoke she split her hair into segments and tamed it into a neat braid, then, began to carefully apply cosmetics without missing a beat.


    ¡°So, when I got there, Learra, the poor wretched lick-shoe that they had put in charge for the night, was cradling this bloody mess of a girl and uselessly bawling her eyes out. The room was destroyed. I think every soft thing in it will have to be burned! There will be no getting out those stains . . . Although, my mama always said anything is fixable if it¡¯s important enough to you. I don¡¯t know about this one . . . Anyway, so Natalia is telling me that a client killed a girl and they aren¡¯t sure who he is, and they aren¡¯t sure when it happened.


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    And I am like, this girl? This girl right here? Who is continuing to actively bleed now that she is being moved around like that by Learra? Wretched thing, not very bright, Learra.


    So, I sent Learra to run off and fetch a doctor. Hoping she could at least do that much right, and he might be convinced by the bloody state of her that it was a true emergency.


    I¡¯m sorry, I usually don¡¯t talk this way about my sisters, you know this about me. I¡¯m just tired and frustrated myself I guess.¡± Aster sighed. ¡°I didn¡¯t get enough sleep.


    Anyhoo-ha, the doctor did come and he is in there working on her now. When, and if, she is stabilized he will take her away by carriage for surgeries or what have you elsewhere. Shortly thereafter Mama Kris and Jules came back. Jules, looking rung out and exhausted and Mama Kris tearful and upset. If you can believe it.


    I tried to stay out of their way because . . . you know, sometimes people are wrathful when they are frustrated and upset.


    I guess there is some truth to it on Jules part because he went off into a tantrum when he heard about the girl.


    Turns out they have spent all night in search parties looking for the witch Freya! At first people thought she might have just left, as a prank? Like maybe that was the surprise she had planned? After a while though, and no jumping out and saying boo, people began to get really concerned. And those left at the party were only her hard core supporters and staff, but they started to look. Apparently her office was in a state of major disarray . . .


    So-oo, long story short, they searched the house and grounds, and on into town and the docks, all of that, all night long and into the morning. Eventually they found the body . . .


    The funny thing about that was, they found it right in the middle of the floor in that messy office that had been searched maybe a dozen times. It was her assistant who found her, and she fainted dead away, haha I shouldn¡¯t say ¡°dead¡± at the moment, it¡¯s kind of morbid. But anyway, she passed out when she saw the body.


    Jules said it looked like an animal had attacked her.¡± Aster turned over her shoulder to look at them. ¡°It had to be someone at the party, though, right? Couldn¡¯t have been an animal in there. I guess it happened right after you talked to her. How did that go, by the way?¡±


    Prin, evading that last question, chewed on his finger nail nervously. ¡°An animal?¡±


    ¡°Maybe she had a beast of some sort as part of her surprise.¡± Elwin suggested.


    ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t know about the animal theory. Although, they said she could only be identified by her clothes . . . what was left of them. Hey, what if it wasn¡¯t even her? Imagine that! No, probably not, if it wasn¡¯t her she would have had to kill someone to fake her own death. That doesn¡¯t seem likely.¡± Aster turned back around to refocus on her appearance. ¡°So, if she was killed right around when she disappeared, where did the body go for all that time? Maybe she wasn¡¯t killed until in the morning. But then . . . where was she all that time? It¡¯s a real mystery.¡± She shrugged, as though to say, a mystery for someone else, not for me.


    Aster stood up and stretched. ¡°Phew, what a night! I¡¯d like to just go back to bed. Do you think I could get away with it? Hang a sign on the door that says contagious illness within, beware.¡± She went to her closet and slipped into a be ribboned chemise. ¡°I could really use a bath, oh well. Do you ever hear so much bad and disturbing news that it just makes you feel all over grimy?¡± Aster made a face.


    ¡°I know exactly what you mean.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about you.¡± Prin said suddenly.


    ¡°Me? Why ever for? You know I can take care of myself, my sweet bunny.¡± Aster came over and gave Prin¡¯s cheek a playful pinch. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you took away from that story to be worried about me.¡±


    ¡°You said . . . they always come back.¡± Prin pointed out. He was frowning, as though he had too much on his mind and couldn¡¯t get it sorted. Although none of it was good.


    ¡°Oh, him?¡± Aster said thoughtfully. ¡°I almost hope he does show back up here.¡± She smiled, a little too wide, a few too many teeth. ¡°We¡¯ll be ready for him.¡±

 Chapter 80

    Without missing a beat, and heedless of the tone of the conversation, Aster pulled two dresses from the closet and held them out. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ve seen me in either of these. Which one should it be?¡±


    One was pastel yellow, white, and green, with trim work made to look like darker green ivy growing around the waist and up over the shoulders. The other was more sedate, a finely striped grey fabric with black velvet rosettes and ribbons.


    Aster held up the second dress. ¡°More appropriate under the circumstances?¡± She made a face to show what she really thought of circumstances dictating one¡¯s fashion choices.


    Elwin nodded. ¡°Yes, probably.¡±


    ¡°No, the other one is prettier.¡± Prin said, chewing on his bottom lip distractedly. ¡°But Aster, you are so small. No offense.¡±


    Aster¡¯s mouth twisted up into a half smile. ¡°I wish it weren¡¯t so, but there¡¯s nothing to take offense about.¡±


    ¡°I mean . . . how will you protect yourself?¡± Prin asked. ¡°Someone could just pick you up and toss you across the room like an old rag doll.¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t think that hasn¡¯t happened.¡± Aster winked. ¡°No, no, don¡¯t worry about me. Don¡¯t ever waste your energy doing that!¡± She stepped into the grey dress and slipped the top up over her arms, beginning to tighten the laces in the front. Most of her dresses laced up the front, it being the easiest way to dress without help, Elwin supposed.


    Aster tapped the side of her head. ¡°I protect myself with my brain, not brawn. Because you¡¯re right about that, it wouldn¡¯t do any good to protest. Although, I¡¯m stronger than I look.¡±


    ¡°Aster . . .¡± Prin started, then ended with a sigh.


    ¡°I think what he¡¯s trying to say is this doesn¡¯t seem like a healthy environment to be living in.¡± Elwin said gently. ¡°But I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t need us to tell you that.¡±


    ¡°If you have any better ideas.¡± Aster said, with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯m all ears.¡±


    Prin was making a conflicted face, and Elwin could almost read his mind. Was he remembering that the reason they had come here was the ¡°bug¡±? And wondering how to bring it up? Or, maybe not.


    Elwin tried to meet his eyes.


    ¡°No, I mean, yes.¡± Prin said. ¡°I wanted to ¨C Did anything ¨C¡±


    ¡°I have to get to work now, bunny.¡± Aster dusted her hands off on the front of her dress in a gesture symbolic of completion, washing your hands of something, if only temporarily.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to come in here and annoy you.¡± Prin said, looking down at his feet.


    Elwin had the sudden urge to shake Aster, though he kept his impulse to himself.


    Aster hugged Prin. ¡°You could never annoy me. You just don¡¯t understand how things are around here. It¡¯s on with the show, no matter what, you know? And I pray you¡¯ll never have to learn! But anyway, what¡¯s wrong?¡± She pulled back from Prin to look him in the face. ¡°There¡¯s something you¡¯re not telling me.¡±


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    ¡°N-no, nothing.¡± Prin stumbled over his words. Always was bad at lying, that one.


    ¡°Well then, I really do have to go.¡± Aster sat back down on the vanity chair and pulled on her red boots, carefully lacing them. ¡°Besides, you know, bunny, it should be me that¡¯s the one worrying about you.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Why?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°You must have just missed the killer!¡± Aster shuddered dramatically. ¡°Someone who could do a thing like that to a witch, would eat you up as an appetizer. Just like that.¡± She snapped her fingers.


    Aster laughed to break the tension, and winked at Elwin. ¡°Luckily you¡¯ve got this big strong lad by your side. Just don¡¯t split up!¡±


    Prin laughed nervously, clearly at a lose for words.


    Aster motioned to the padlock on the edge of the vanity. ¡°Lock up when you leave, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    She waved goodbye before leaving them alone in her room.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Elwin wondered, when she was well out of earshot.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Prin said, voice strained to the point of cracking. ¡°I just couldn¡¯t do it! I didn¡¯t know how to bring up the bug without explaining where it came from and what it was about . . . and me being in the office after, whatever happened already happened. And . . . thank the gods she didn¡¯t press me about my conversation with Freya. What would I even say?¡±


    ¡°No, I mean yes, but . . . what was any of that?¡± Elwin clarified. Thought it wasn¡¯t much of a clarification, was it.


    ¡°That? All of this?¡± Prin asked, tilting his head to the side, blue eyes widening to appropriately take in the scope of the question.


    ¡°Yeah, what we just heard, and overheard, and . . .¡± Elwin just shrugged helplessly. For his part, no idea how to begin to process it all.


    ¡°Do you think the bug . . . the fairy . . . has anything to do with what happened to that girl?¡± Prin asked, after a long moment of silence in which the gears were turning away.


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t see how it could.¡± Said Elwin, who still wasn¡¯t at all sure that the bug was anything more then a bug at all. ¡°Aster seemed to think . . . or rather, she seemed to treat the whole thing as not that outside of the ordinary. Or at least, something that has happened before? I don¡¯t know. Men are awful. And these girls have to meet in private with a lot of strange men.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should go back to sleeping here.¡± Prin said. ¡°There is safety in numbers.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see what good it would do.¡± Elwin said. ¡°The clients aren¡¯t brought out here. There must be a room in there.¡± He cocked his thumb towards the pink house. ¡°That Aster uses for that. Besides, she wouldn¡¯t appreciate us hovering.¡±


    Prin chewed on his thumbnail. ¡°I made a suggestion that Aster wouldn¡¯t take. About the captain maybe buying her out of here . . . If it were you, wouldn¡¯t you do whatever it takes to get out of harms way?¡±


    Elwin sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t picture myself with this life, so I don¡¯t know.¡± It would never be me, he thought, but didn¡¯t want to come right out and say it.


    ¡°It¡¯s all she¡¯s ever known.¡± Prin said softly. ¡°Not the imprisonment part, but the lifestyle, these kinds of places.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad.¡± Elwin said. ¡°She would be good at anything.¡±


    ¡°Right!? That¡¯s what I think too.¡± Prin said. ¡°This is not the end of the line, though. Just because something is all you¡¯ve ever known, is no reason to think it¡¯s all you¡¯ll ever be.¡± Something was so plaintive and sad in his face, that Elwin scooted closer and pulled him into his arms.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Elwin said into the top of Prin¡¯s curly head. He planted a kiss there, like kissing a black lamb. ¡°We¡¯ll take her with us when we leave this island.¡± Who knows when that will be? But based on recent events . . . it may be sooner then anticipated.


    Prin hugged back firmly. ¡°I¡¯m so glad you see it too.¡±


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure what it was that he saw, but he wasn¡¯t going to destroy the illusion by asking. He should have known it would come to this, him essentially making a promise to piss off some very dangerous people by stealing away what they consider a valuable asset. Oh well.


    ¡°What should we do now?¡± Elwin asked. With his arms around Prin, he felt comforted and warm. Not particularly like moving at all. But . . . Valor would be waiting for them back at the captain¡¯s house. He wasn¡¯t sure how much he needed to care about that.


    ¡°Well . . . since we couldn¡¯t ask Aster about the bug, though I¡¯m sure she would have said something if there was anything to say, right? The least we can do is maybe look for it?¡± Prin said. He pulled away from Elwin enough to meet his eyes. ¡°Would it be a terrible invasion of privacy if we went through everything in this room, just in case?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But let¡¯s do it anyway.¡±

 Chapter 81

    ¡°Please, put everything back just the way you found it.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t want Aster to know we did this. Touched all of her stuff. I don¡¯t know how she would react to it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unlike you to be . . . dishonest.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Not that I am disagreeing or anything.¡± He scanned the shelf above the bed, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Like perhaps a pair of little wings. He carefully moved each candle and knick knack, putting them back in their own clean shadow in the dust.


    ¡°I know, I hate it. It¡¯s just . . . seems paltry compared to the big secret. Aster isn¡¯t like Valor . . . I don¡¯t want her to know who I really am. She might hate me. Or worse yet, she might be afraid of me.¡± Prin said. He went to the vanity and peered closely at the extensive variety of little jars and scented potion bottles.


    ¡°It¡¯s not who you really are.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Why would you even say a thing like that? Aster knows who you really are. Not this . . . thing you can¡¯t help turning into. For brief spells.¡± This creature, this hungry stomach with a cannibal¡¯s sharp teeth.


    ¡°However temporary, it is who I am now.¡± Prin said. He held a little jar up closer to his face and picked up the pink powder puff resting on top. ¡°Remind me not to sneeze.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about it too much or you definitely will.¡± Elwin teased, deciding for the moment to let the conversation drift to pleasanter topics.


    Elwin peeked under each pillow, before moving on to the side table. Nothing very interesting. Well, okay, all of it was very interesting but none of it seemed relevant to the matter at hand. Elwin picked up a string with strange frosted glass beads, the triangle shaped teeth of an animal, bits of shell, and other unidentifiable oddities, strung along its length and knotted in between. He got so distracted for a moment that he almost forgot to notice exactly where each item had been, so he could properly put it back there.


    ¡°Aster is a very curious person.¡± He muttered.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin agreed, wolf-sharp ears picking up everything, even when it wasn¡¯t intended to be heard. He slowly slid open the vanity drawers, with a scraping that sounded a little painful. ¡°Come out, come out, wherever you are.¡± Prin sang.


    ¡°Nothing yet.¡± Elwin said, ¡°You know, I don¡¯t think Aster is actually afraid of anything.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what¡¯s worrying me at the moment.¡± Prin said. As he shut the vanity drawer there was a thump from underneath. ¡°Shit, I think I broke something.¡±


    Elwin went to the vanity and looked around for broken glass or anything like that on the floor. ¡°Don¡¯t panic.¡±


    Prin stooped to pick something up. It was a small book with one corner blackened by soot. ¡°It¡¯s just a book. It fell from underneath.¡±


    Elwin got on the floor and spotted a piece of dangling twine hanging from underneath the vanity. ¡°This must have been where it was, hand it here and I¡¯ll put it back.¡± He held his hand out for the book.


    ¡°Just a second. . .¡± Prin murmured. He opened the book carefully, the pages making a crinkling sound.


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    ¡°Prin!¡± Elwin had been surprised enough to hear him say shit, but now this? ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be reading someone¡¯s private diary, would you?¡±


    ¡°I wish. Looks like it¡¯s written in some kind of code, or maybe a language I¡¯m not familiar with.¡± Prin turned the brittle pages to what would have to be the most recent entries. ¡°I just want to know if there¡¯s anything about me in here.¡±


    ¡°Curiosity killed the cat.¡± Elwin said. He suddenly felt very nervous and self-conscious. What if Aster forgot something? She might come back any second. ¡°This has nothing to do with what we came in here for.¡±


    ¡°Satisfaction.¡± Prin said, still peering closely at the pages. ¡°Brought it back.¡± He held the book out, open so Elwin could see what he was looking at. It was the detailed sketch of an eye. Even in black ink on an ivory colored page Elwin couldn¡¯t help but recognize it.


    ¡°That¡¯s you alright.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Is it!?¡± Prin didn¡¯t seem to know. Elwin had forgotten that he barely knew what he looked like. Or rather, even with recent access to mirrors, still hadn¡¯t caught up to the amount of time others have looked at themselves and contemplated their own reflections.


    ¡°Unmistakable.¡± Elwin said. ¡°What surprises me more is . . . Aster is such a good artist?¡±


    ¡°I kno-ow.¡± Prin groaned. ¡°It¡¯s hardly fair.¡±


    Elwin laughed at him. ¡°No one ever said gifts were handed out equally.¡±


    Prin stuck out his tongue. ¡°Oh, hey, look at this one.¡± He held out a picture, framed on both sides with that strange cryptic writing, of a woman.


    Her hair was pulled back in a bun, but rendered less severe by a few loose curls that had come loose and bobbed and floated near her pretty ears. She looked young and beautiful and brave. The expression of serious gravity in the line of her mouth, almost undermined the playful quality of her eyes. Elwin was willing to bet she had red hair. The family resemblance was strong, although there was something even more of the imp, the trickster, in Aster.


    ¡°Must be her mother.¡± Prin said. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have any sisters.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s put it back. I don¡¯t want to get caught.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Okay, fine. Not like I can read it anyway.¡± Prin put it back where it had fallen from, tying it securely in place.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t much left in the room, as far as places to hide. I think we are about to face the possibility that it isn¡¯t in here. And maybe never was.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°El, something happened. Unexplainable by conventional means.¡± Prin said earnestly.


    ¡°That happens a lot lately.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°This was different. I don¡¯t think you believe me.¡± Prin went to the wardrobe. ¡°I would think with all that has happened it would make you more likely to believe in things . . . out of the ordinary, not less. How about in here?¡±


    Elwin untied the ribbon that was holding the wardrobe doors closed, and they immediately popped open with a grateful sight.


    ¡°I do believe in things. I just like some kind of proof, like, seeing it with my own eyes. Something like that.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Even you didn¡¯t really see it, right? Not in a way that made you sure.¡±


    ¡°Right. Okay, but what else could it be?¡± Prin asked. He flipped through the dresses, feeling the different fabrics with attentive appreciation as they passed through his fingers. ¡°Aster is really an artist.¡±


    ¡°Some sort of hallucination, or . . . eh, hell if I know.¡± Elwin said. He suddenly stopped and pulled out the flower decked white gown from the party.


    ¡°When the ¡°simpler explanation¡± causes you to have to jump through even more mental hoops then the supernatural one, it¡¯s time to hang it up.¡± Prin teased. He reached for the dress in Elwin¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Elwin laughed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡± Prin hesitated, his hand hovering above the flowers at the neckline of the dress, as though afraid of what he might touch.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t jump high enough to get through my own mental hoops.¡± Elwin said lightly.


    ¡°Happens to the best of them.¡± Prin said. His eyes though, were far away, distracted. He lightly grazed the silk flowers with the tips of his fingers.


    The flowers rustled suddenly as though disturbed by a sharp breeze, and Prin¡¯s eyes grew large, pupils dilating.  Something, Some Thing burst from among the blossoms and flew directly at Prin¡¯s face.

 Chapter 82

    Prin let out a scream in a pitch so high, it was a surprise that all Aster¡¯s perfume bottles remained intact. Elwin dropped the dress at their feet and reached for the insect like thing. His first instinct was to catch it in his cupped hands and protect his prince from its miniaturized (tiny) wrath.


    The thing flung itself in a flurry of colorless wings at Prin¡¯s nose, before dodging the oncoming Elwin by flying around Prin¡¯s head in a circle.


    Prin looked dizzy but remained upright through sheer force of will. ¡°Elwin, no! Stop! You¡¯re scaring her.¡±


    Elwin continued on for a moment before the words sunk into his head and he stopped suddenly, finding himself leaning in close to Prin, balanced precariously on one foot. ¡°Where is it now?¡± He whispered, having somehow lost sight of the thing, in its crazy flight pattern around Prin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know . . .¡± Prin whispered. His eyes were practically crossed in their effort to keep up.


    Elwin felt something on the back of his neck, like a soft breath and he shivered. There was a tug on his hair at the nape of his neck. As though . . . something were hanging on, trying not to be dislodged by the movements of his body.


    ¡°Its behind me, isn¡¯t it.¡± Elwin slowly lowered his foot, and even more slowly straightened up and then when he felt steady on his feet (a process that seemed to take excruciatingly long), stood still enough for any bronze statue to envy. What would it do? Would it bite him? Make his head explode? He cast a look at Prin that he knew held more then a little genuine fear.


    ¡°O-kay.¡± Prin said, all in a gently exhale. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything will be okay.¡±


    Prin walked on his tip toes around behind Elwin, very slowly. ¡°Hold still, though, okay?¡±


    Elwin could not have been more still. He closed his eyes tightly. ¡°Get it off me. Please.¡± He said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°Shhh shh shh.¡± Prin whispered from behind Elwin. ¡°We won¡¯t hurt you. We just want to talk to you. And help you. Do you need help?¡±


    Elwin had the urge to swat the back of his neck, like there was a big mosquito there. He tensed up until he could feel it let go and fly away.


    ¡°Whoa! Come back!¡± Prin called. ¡°I trust you, that you aren¡¯t going to hurt us. Now you have to trust me.¡±


    Elwin slowly turned around, not as much tension leaving his body as he would have thought. They were still in a small room with it.


    Prin was following the bug as it flew around the room, lighting temporarily on various things and launching back into the air rapidly.


    ¡°You must be tired.¡± Prin said. ¡°And maybe hungry and thirsty. How can we help?¡± He sat down on the edge of the bed, patting beside him and motioning for Elwin to sit down.


    Elwin sat down beside Prin. He really hoped he had a good plan. He found himself hoping that a lot lately.


    The fairy-bug- whatever it was hovered in front of the vanity mirror, pausing in its frantic movements as though it were listening to Prin and considering his words.


    Elwin couldn¡¯t make out much beyond pale wings attached to some sort of vanishingly small body, but even if it looked like nothing more then a garden variety flying insect, right at home on any flower, and passing immediately beneath notice, it sure didn¡¯t act like any bug.


    ¡°Thank you for hearing me out.¡± Prin said politely. ¡°I think you probably . . . saw what I did? So I should start by saying that I am not a violent person. I mean . . . normally. I just ¨C I¡¯m under a curse and I can¡¯t help what I do. But it won¡¯t happen again for a while.¡± He turned to Elwin as though wanting to be vouched for in some way. ¡°At least . . . A few days. And anyway you¡¯re too small to eat.¡± He laughed awkwardly at himself, clearly regretting what he just said on an immediate basis.


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    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t hurt his friends, anyway.¡± Elwin said, hoping it helped.


    The bug lighted on the top of a crystal jar, and as they watched its wings slowly changed to a tint more closely resembling the amber colored liquid within the jar.


    ¡°That¡¯s so cool! That you can do that.¡± Prin said. ¡°Here. Let me . . . I wish we had a piece of fruit or something . . .¡± Prin got up, careful not to make any sudden movements, and took a silver thimble from the sewing table. He wiped out the dust with the hem of his shirt and filled it with water from Aster¡¯s bucket. ¡°Have a drink. Oh! I hope you can tolerate silver! In some of the stories . . . your kind dislike it?¡± He laughed awkwardly again. ¡°Just so you know I¡¯m not trying to poison you or anything.¡±


    The little thing stretched its wings and walked to the edge of the vanity where Prin had set down the thimble, and bent to take a drink.


    ¡°I have a feeling much in the stories is not to be believed.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But just in case¡ªDo you grant wishes?¡±


    ¡°El, I feel like that was rude.¡± Prin admonished. ¡°We barely even know each other! Of course, if you can in any way help me rid myself of this curse, or find the witch responsible for it, I would be forever grateful. In your debt, really.¡±


    ¡°Never say something like ¡®in your debt¡¯ to a fairy.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t believe in any of this!¡± Prin said.


    Elwin made a gesture towards the vanity. He was seeing it with his own eyes now, what more could he want? Even he wasn¡¯t that much of a sceptic.


    ¡°Can you understand what I¡¯m saying?¡± Prin wondered, as the bug returned to the glass jar it had been sitting on.


    ¡°It might not speak our language.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°If you do, can you give me an indication?¡± Prin asked. After a long moment, he stood up and walked towards the vanity with his hand stretched out flat, like a child preparing to feed goats at a petting zoo. ¡°Can I see you more up close?¡±


    The little bug leapt into the air and hid behind a colorful scarf that was draped over the corner of the mirror.


    ¡°Never mind. Its okay.¡± Prin sat back down. ¡°Will you come away with us back to where we are staying? We can find you some nice fruit, or flowers, or . . . is it meat? Whichever. They keep a well stocked kitchen. With time enough we can learn to communicate.¡±


    The bug left its hiding spot and returned to the jar on top of the vanity.


    ¡°I think she can understand me, Elwin.¡± Prin said. ¡°Or at least somewhat.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just as well off with us.¡± Elwin suggested. ¡°Its safe where we¡¯ve been staying. And we¡¯ll help you stay hidden. We have no desire to exploit you, like the witch Freya.¡±


    ¡°We only want to talk. About magic and things.¡± Prin said. ¡°That¡¯s it. I want to free myself from this bloodshed . . . Just like you were freed?¡±


    Perhaps it was the whiff of desperation, or the transparent attempt at manipulation (although goddess bless him for at least trying), Elwin could sense something was being lost.


    The bug whizzed up into the air and flew around behind the vanity¡¯s mirror and out of their sight.


    Prin sighed. ¡°That¡¯s about how I thought that was going to go.¡±


    Elwin patted Prin¡¯s knee. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what to say either. Except . . . how can we just leave it here?¡±


    ¡°How can we not?¡± Prin countered. ¡°I mean, what can we do about it?¡± He lowered his voice to a whisper. ¡°She¡¯s too fast for us to capture. And what would she do to us if we tried?¡±


    Elwin nodded in agreement. They were well and truly screwed.


    ¡°I bet you have a home you¡¯d like to get back to.¡± Prin said to the vanity. After no response, and no return of the little winged thing to their line of sight, he stood up. ¡°We have to go home now. I know . . . you probably want to stay with Aster because she¡¯s beautiful and soft. I don¡¯t blame you, I would feel the same way if I were you. Just please, please, don¡¯t harm Aster or frighten her. I know you won¡¯t, but still . . .¡± Prin went to the door, picking up the padlock on the way, and motioned for Elwin to follow him out.


    Elwin, ever conscientious, put Aster¡¯s dress back in the wardrobe and tied it closed before following Prin. He moved with careful slow deliberation, not wanting the fairy to think he was chasing it down.


    Prin took out his own key and locked up Aster¡¯s shed house as they left.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to push it, I was afraid of what might happen.¡± He told Elwin as they walked away from the pink house of ill repute. ¡°How could I just leave though . . . Aster . . .¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll come back soon.¡± Elwin said, hoping he sounded reassuring.


    ¡°What will Valor say? He won¡¯t be happy he missed it all.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin took Prin¡¯s hand in his. ¡°I think you¡¯re beautiful and soft, Prin.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh stop.¡± A smile tugged at one corner of Prin¡¯s mouth, as his cheeks took on a slight flush.


    ¡°No really, that¡¯s how I see you.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin chuckled. ¡°Who knew I would have so many blind men in my acquaintance?¡±

 Chapter 83

    The task of describing to Valor what had happened with the bug, was almost more then Prin could manage but, he would give it his best go.


    When they had returned to Captain Thompson¡¯s house, Valor was dressed and perched on the edge of one of the kitchen chairs, a long cold cup of tea in front of him. He had clearly been waiting on the edge of his seat, literally, for them to return with news.


    So as not to speak out of turn in front of extra ears, Prin and Elwin went with him to the library, where Prin set about the task of trying to paint a picture of their extraordinary, but at the same time, somewhat underwhelming encounter with the fairy.


    Valor listened carefully, although Prin could tell he was impatient to jump up and go to Aster¡¯s shed house to see if he would have any better luck. Or at least interject his comments about how they mismanaged the whole thing and what they should have done better. In his defense, he was quiet until Prin got to the part where they left the fairy behind them.


    ¡°You should have tried to draw it back out.¡± Valor said. ¡°With a bribe.¡±


    ¡°We had nothing to offer.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Not anything a bug would want.¡± He gave a little smirk, knowing he was being cheeky.


    ¡°I do wonder what it eats.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t think Aster keeps food in her room so she must be hungry by now.¡±


    ¡°Unless it sucks blood. Like a mosquito.¡± Valor suggested. ¡°Do you think it has human like intelligence? Or more like a dog or cat?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good question.¡± Prin said. ¡°I could sense she was understanding me, on some level anyway. Doesn¡¯t mean she believed anything I was saying.¡± Prin laughed ruefully. ¡°I know I screwed it all up, you don¡¯t even have to tell me.¡±


    ¡°No you didn¡¯t.¡± Elwin said. ¡°No one would have known what to say.¡± Leave it to Elwin.


    ¡°Thanks for saying so, anyway.¡± Prin said.


    After a long moment of silence that was beginning to border on awkward, Prin prompted Valor. ¡°You¡¯re awfully quiet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking . . .¡± Valor settled deeper into his chair and leaned his head on his hand. ¡°What are we supposed to do now?¡±


    ¡°I was hoping you would know!¡± Prin said, only half teasing. He sat cross legged on the floor at Valor¡¯s feet, a cat on his lap. He wasn¡¯t sure which one. But he did definitely feel that he was getting too comfortable at the moment, like there was something urgent he should be doing instead. And he was somehow losing time.


    ¡°There are . . . other things.¡± Elwin said, with a painful expression that said, he didn¡¯t really want to say what they are but was more hoping, impossibly, that they would just be magically understood. He was leaning against a bookshelf in what looked to be a falsely casual manner. Trying and failing to relax.


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    ¡°Oh right . . . the body.¡± Prin said. He suddenly felt a little faint, at a loss for words. It was okay, since he was already sitting down.


    ¡°Body?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°We overheard that it reappeared, must have been some time this morning.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Interesting. Just like the blood.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°And . . . there is a violent person who was at the pink- Mama Kris¡¯s house. Someone almost killed a girl but they didn¡¯t catch him.¡± Prin said grimly. ¡°I don¡¯t know that this news is relevant to you, Valor, but I just thought you should know. We have to be careful. . .¡±


    ¡°I wonder if people will connect the two.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Sorry to say, but a lot of people won¡¯t be too concerned with what happens to one of those girls. They probably won¡¯t connect it.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Even though . . . same night, bloody scenes . . . Of course if it were me, I would connect them.¡±


    ¡°You probably read too many detective stories.¡± Valor scoffed. ¡°Real life is rarely that simple.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who asked if they would be connected!¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because people are simple minded.¡± Valor said. ¡°And they like what is impossibly simple.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± Prin said. ¡°Don¡¯t ¨C¡± He didn¡¯t know how to finish what he was going to say without setting Valor off more. ¡°Just don¡¯t.¡±


    Elwin narrowed his eyes slightly, but didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°Could people have seen you go to her office? They must have, it was a party.¡± Valor said, answering his own question.


    ¡°Yes, someone must have.¡± Prin agreed miserably. Maybe he would be thrown in a dungeon after all, maybe that¡¯s where he belonged. He suddenly wished he had asked the fairy to turn him into a little bug too.


    ¡°Elwin, what does he look like to you? Someone who could hurt a fly?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Not in the slightest.¡± Elwin said.


    Valor bobbed his head in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±


    If this was supposed to be comforting, they would have to do better then that.


    ¡°Who else could it be?¡± Prin asked. ¡°Besides the last person who saw her.¡±


    ¡°A wild animal of course. Perhaps you saw one? When you briefly stopped by her office?¡± Valor said helpfully.


    ¡°Hmm, better if you saw nothing.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Lies should be kept simple. Or you might say something to contradict the clues and make yourself look really . . . guilty.¡±


    Prin considered these two opposing suggestions. On one hand, he considered himself rather good at telling a story, always had been. So why not play to his strengths? However, Elwin, ever wise, had a good point too. It seemed like he should come up with a plan of what to say and stick by it in case he were asked. He fervently hoped he would never be asked.


    Suddenly, there was a loud pounding at what sounded like the rarely used front door. Someone meant business.


    Elwin ran to the window to peek around the curtain. ¡°Stay there.¡± He said to Prin, holding a hand of caution behind him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there¡¯s no police force on the island. And people would like to keep it that way.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°There are two men at the door.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I don¡¯t recognize them. But why would I? Coming to the front door like that, I doubt they are friends. Rather severe looking.¡±


    ¡°Anything else?¡± Prin asked. He found himself wanting to chew on his fingernails or the inside of his cheek but forced himself to resist.


    ¡°They¡¯re big.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Of course, people still want to maintain order. And protect their own interests.¡± Valor continued. ¡°That¡¯s why they take the law into their own hands.¡±

 Chapter 84

    ¡°That¡¯s hardly reassuring!¡± Prin told the unruffled boy sitting in front of him.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, rich people never get in any trouble.¡± Valor said dismissively.


    ¡°Is that how you think this works?¡± Prin asked, his voice taking on a noticeably squeaky quality.


    ¡°Well . . . he¡¯s not wrong.¡± Elwin said, still peeking out the window at the two men standing below. ¡°The problem is, we¡¯re not rich.¡±


    Prin laughed, a note of hysteria tinging it.


    The strangers at the door were wearing suits and dapper hats, but Elwin, noticed that they weren¡¯t rich either. The clothes, brown and utilitarian, slightly ill-fitting over their well defined muscles. Maybe on purpose? Their faces too, were grim and no nonsense. Hired investigators. Or, perhaps some senior bodyguards of Freya¡¯s or one of her friends. Either way, same thing in this instance. They didn¡¯t look as rough or mean as the ones on Mama Kris¡¯s payroll, but still, could she have hired them? They didn¡¯t look like men you particularly wanted to cross.


    ¡°Keep your cool, Prin.¡± Valor said. ¡°They¡¯re no doubt going around to talk to all the people who were at the party. That¡¯s what I would do. It¡¯s nothing personal.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Elwin said. A thinking sound coming out of his mouth involuntarily.


    ¡°Still, I don¡¯t think Prin should be interviewed alone. One of us should be there.¡± Valor said. He inclined his head toward Elwin, waiting for his agreement.


    ¡°I can handle myself.¡± Prin said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I should be more thinking about what you might say.¡±


    ¡°Humph.¡± Valor grumped.


    ¡°No, strangely enough, I¡¯m not.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I think both of you will do just fine. Because you know what¡¯s at stake.¡± Elwin hoped he could say the same for himself. He would just say as little as possible and leave it at that.


    Finally, it appeared someone was answering the door. Elwin had made some strides toward cleaning up in there but it was just scratching the surface. It was still a cluttered mess where an avalanche threatened to spill a pile of stuff onto you at any moment.


    Ah, it looked like they had been directed around to the other door. The front door closed as they disappeared around the corner.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to the kitchen.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Should I go? I can try to listen to what they say before going in. Better me than you.¡± He added, knowing what Prin would say.


    ¡°Do it.¡± Valor said, not waiting for Prin to reply.


    Elwin cast a look towards Prin that he meant to be ¡®don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got this¡¯, but had to admit it was probably more ¡®Ah! Scary people in authority and me with no idea what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    Prin gave him a tight-lipped smile as he passed anyway. Appreciating that the attempt was made.


    Elwin left the library and hurried, without wanting to act strange by running, to the kitchen to linger like a creep just outside of the door.


    As he approached, the captain was going into the kitchen and Elwin felt oddly comforted, like they were in good hands.


    Elwin casually approached the door, figuring he would act like he was just coming in for a drink of water or something if someone came upon him standing there.


    He had to get pretty close to the door though, to see through the slender crack between the door and its frame, and to hear what was being said.


    Elwin stood completely still, paranoid that they would sense movement on the other side of the door.


    The two men, in their borrowed suits had somehow been convinced to squeeze themselves side by side into the bench seating under the window. They looked like they were trying hard not to touch elbows or legs and it was a losing battle. It would have been comical under other circumstances. And even under these, Elwin had to suppress a nervous giggle.


    Captain Thompson towered over them, separated only by the small kitchen table, his silvering red beard larger than life. Not enough of a distance to offer them any protection, and they seemed to know it too.


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    Mrs. Frances and her assistant were standing on the other side of the room by the sink and stove. The assistant looked like she wanted to sink into the woodwork and disappear forever, but Mrs. Frances looked as though she wanted to appear to be doing that, at the same time hanging on every word that was spoken and filing it away for later. Honestly, relatable.


    The larger, and darker haired and eyed of the two men, made the first move toward conversation. As though they had it out ahead of time and he drew the short straw.


    "So, Mr. Thompson, is it?" He asked, plowing on without waiting for an answer. "We heard you were with some members of your family and perhaps some . . . friends, at the big shindig last night? I wasn''t there myself, couldn''t swing an invite." He forced a laugh in a vain attempt at lightening the mood. "But I heard it was pretty spectacular."


    The captain crossed his arms over his chest and continued looking down at them. He didn''t seem to have any intention of sitting down. "Is there a question in there somewheres? Because when strangers show up at my door, I''d like to know the reason why."


    ¡°Oh right, umm sure." the man said.


    His companion, who had a little bit of a baby face, and up close was not so intimidating, took a little notebook out of his pocket and consulted it. "It says here that you had a lot of people with you as guests. More than what would be included on the invite."


    Captain Thompson glared slightly. "Are you sayin'' we weren''t welcome?"


    "Oh no, no, nothing like that!" The bigger man said. He seemed to be more nervous, where the other one was calm and collected. "It was just remarked upon, is all."


    "Your son, or sons, and daughter and a niece, accompanied by a disabled boy that is perhaps your ward, as well as someone who works at the local brothel." the one with the notebook said. "Does that sound about right?"


    "The disabled boy is my son." Captain Thompson said, his voice reaching ratcheting up a few decibels. "Do you have a point? Because you had best be arriving at it before you end up on my lawn by way of a closed window."


    "I just wanted to ascertain that you know all of the people who were with you very well." He said, unruffled. Although his larger companion looked like he needed an urgent bathroom break.


    Mrs. Frances chose this moment to ease the tension and come over with cups in her hand. "Tea, then?" She asked.


    "Yes please." The calm man said. The other shook his head rather sharply. He may be afraid to eat or drink anything they offered at this point.


    Mrs. Frances gave him a cup of tea, as well as his companion, and the captain. "If there''s anything else, I''ll be right over here if you need me."


    "Thank you." The man said. "You see, there was an incident at the party. In one of the back rooms."


    Captain Thompson leaned back on his heels. "Well I can assure you it were none of my own."


    "The dates?" The man prompted. "How well . . ?"


    "I know Aster Rose better than anyone." The captain said with an air of never being more sure of anything in his life. "The others were my son, my daughter, my niece, and two young employees. Barely grown they are and wouldn''t hurt a fly, otherwise I would never allow them as companions to my children."


    The smaller man nodded, making an indication in his notebook. "And you said the blind young man is your son. And I wouldn''t expect the young ladies had anything to do with it, would you?" He turned to the man he had come with.


    He shook his head again, a grim look on his face. "This nasty piece of business, no. It''s not how a girl would do the thing."


    "I agree." The other said.


    "What is this about anyway? What kind of incident? Was a young woman assaulted because trust me these boys, I don''t think would even be interested in the fairer sex, if you know what I mean." the captain said. He seemed to be relaxing some, as though no longer concerned about these men, but more just genuinely curious what it was all about.


    "No, or not how you mean anyway." The larger man said. He gave his companion a look that said, should I, should I?


    The man with the notebook gave a slight nod.


    "Someone was killed." The larger man said.


    "We aren''t at liberty to give out a lot of details." The other one added. "But, it wasn''t any accident."


    Elwin felt a presence beside him, a split second before someone brushed against his arm. The breath he had been holding went out of him in a woosh, and it was only lucky he didn''t scream.


    Dru was at his elbow. She leaned in close, her lips touching his ear. "What''d I miss?" She whispered.


    Elwin could fill his face grow hot and he covered the offended ear, shooting her a glare. If he didn''t already know better, he would be a hundred percent convinced that she did it.


    "Bo-oy howdy was it not an accident." The bigger man said in a conspiratorial way.


    "What''s this got to do with me?" The captain asked, hardening up again now that he knew the nature of the allegations. Or at least somewhat.


    "We''re going around and talking to the people who were at the party. A big task." The notebook carrying man said.


    "Monumental." His companion added.


    "Enormous." The smaller man said.


    "Huge." The larger man added again. "Not to be believed."


    The man with the notebook, who, as far as Elwin could now see, seemed to be the one in charge, although he was subtle about it, smiled. And his baby face broke out in charming dimples. "If we can ever get through with all the guests from the island, we may have to even track down the ones who are from off island. But I don''t think it will come to that. Do you?"


    "Nah." the bigger man shook his head. "At least, I sure hope not."


    "You all are next on the list." The man with the notebook said to Captain Thompson. "You see, we have to start somewhere, is all. And of particular interest, is anyone who people don''t really know. Do you get me? We''d like to talk to everyone in your household if possible. But, those two ''employees'' who were at the party as your guests, well, talking to them is not exactly optional." He looked to the captain to see if he was being understood, his dimpled smile still present but frozen over, stiff. "If you catch my meaning."

 Chapter 85

    ¡°Are you threatening me? In my own house?¡± Captain Thompson suddenly burst into laughter. Deep belly laughs that shook his whole frame. ¡°I don¡¯t know who in hell you boys are, or who sent ya, but you have some balls! Some balls indeed!¡± He looked over his shoulder, slightly chagrined, but not enough to stop laughing. ¡°Sorry, ladies.¡±


    Mrs. Frances just shook her head, but the girl¡¯s cheeks were bright pink at the scandal of it.


    Elwin was relieved, for a split second he had thought that the captain was talking to him and Dru. But no, it seemed no one yet knew they were there on the other side of the kitchen door.


    Although . . . he had to consider if he should run off and warn Prin about what was coming. Dru pinched his arm and made a funny face at him when he looked, sticking out her tongue and crossing her eyes.


    Was that supposed to break the tension? Make fun of him? Or what? She was a weird girl, and Elwin couldn¡¯t figure her out to save his life.


    Of course, she had no way of knowing the personal stake he had in this conversation they were currently overhearing.


    The smaller man laughed along, as though in on the joke, his dimples flashing. ¡°No of course not. I would never do that.¡±


    ¡°No threat, just a statement of facts.¡± The larger man, showing a streak of courage said. He visibly tensed up, as though preparing to do battle. If it came to that.


    ¡°Mmm hmm.¡± Captain Thompson smirked. ¡°How about I give you twenty minutes with the kids and then you go away and never return?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t make any guarantees.¡± The dimpled man said.


    ¡°I also can¡¯t guarantee I won¡¯t kick your ass, so I guess we¡¯re even.¡± The captain said.


    *


    Mrs. Frances and her assistant had been temporarily expelled from the kitchen, to make room for a couple of extra chairs and the large gathering of family, suspicious investigators of unknown origin, and Prin and Elwin. Even still it was a very tight fit, and Elwin was willing to bet that Mrs. Frances had now taken his spying spot on the other side of the door.


    Prin and Elwin were in the chairs directly across the table from the strange men, and Dru, in her ratty trousers with suspenders and an old shirt that used to be white looked the picture of relaxation, her borrowed chair in front of the stove pulled up kissing close to Wrena¡¯s chair. Wrena had come into the room looking put upon in her frilly robe and slippers. However, when she saw the men she switched to curiosity and seemed to go on her best behavior, patting her hair to test how out of place her curls were, and smiling back at the one with the nice smile.


    Captain Thompson remained standing, all the better to monitor the situation. Although he did look like he was just about over it, and the whole situation in general.


    Valor had come in last, and stood beside his father, with his walking stick in hand. His eyes, glasses free and lids lowered languidly, his expression one of mild contempt, like full contempt was too much trouble to be bothered with. So in other words, about the same as usual minus the twin black cats.


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    Elwin didn¡¯t know how he had managed to bribe them to stay behind.


    Prin had already slipped his mask into place. Something that Elwin had seen before but never quite gotten used to. How had his prince become so good at presenting a false front? When Elwin knew inside he was teeming with anxiety. He wouldn¡¯t let these men see it, that was just his way now.


    Captain Thompson took a deep breath before beginning introductions, he gave the name and relationship to himself of everyone in the room before getting to the two men.


    ¡°They say their names are Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Moor, but who knows really?¡± The captain said crossing his arms over his chest.


    Elwin was sure those introductions had counted towards their twenty minutes.


    ¡°Call me Crow.¡± The smaller man, Mr. Moor said. ¡°It¡¯s the name I go by.¡±


    Dru snorted. ¡°Crow More? That¡¯s great, I have to add that to my list of possible future alias.¡±


    Wrena shot her cousin an annoyed look.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Crow said. Seeming to sense that his time was melting away, he opted to get right to the point. ¡°There was a foul murder at the party that you all attended yesterday.¡± He said.


    ¡°Fowl?¡± Dru laughed again, putting her hands over her mouth in fake chagrin. ¡°You¡¯ve just gotta sprinkle all the bird jokes in there that you can, huh, Crow?¡±


    Gods bless her for wasting the man¡¯s time with bull shit, Elwin thought.


    Wrena and Prin were the only ones who had the decency, or acting chops to look troubled.


    Wrena narrowed her eyes and chewed on her bottom lip. ¡°Is this a joke? Or serious? What happened? It must have been after we left.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not really supposed to s¡ª¡± Mr. Hobbs began, before being interrupted by his partner.


    ¡°Your hostess was torn to bloody pieces. As though set upon by a tiger.¡± Crow said. ¡°If you know what that is.¡±


    Mr. Hobbs gave Crow an impotent shocked look, as though to say I can¡¯t believe you said that and also I am tattling as soon as we get home.


    Wrena gasped. ¡°Excuse me!?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s something like a great big dog.¡± Mr. Hobbs said. ¡°With enormous teeth and claws.¡±


    ¡°And stripes.¡± The worldly Dru added to be helpful. ¡°Very stylish, you would like them.¡±


    ¡°Why are you telling us something so awful?¡± Prin asked. His wide blue eyes almost bordered on tearful.


    Elwin hoped he didn¡¯t pour it on too thick, although with those pretty eyes tears had served him well in the past. He took Prin¡¯s hand, to make a better show of buying into it, and squeezed it reassuringly.


    ¡°Someone knows something.¡± Crow took a silver cigarette case from his pocket. ¡°Do you mind if I smoke?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The captain said. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable.¡± He gave him a warning look.


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± He put the cigarettes back in his pocket.


    ¡°Papa, I could have used one myself.¡± Wrena said.


    Dru fanned her face with a potholder. ¡°You¡¯ll be alright. Maybe she needs some air.¡±


    ¡°It only stands to reason she had enemies.¡± Valor said, seemingly not content to go unnoticed like a wallflower. ¡°Anyone who tells people their future would be bound to rub someone the wrong way. Not to mention she took plenty of their money.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a practiced response.¡± Crow pointed out. ¡°As though you knew someone would be asking you about this and had given it some thought, I mean.¡±


    ¡°What a strange thing to say.¡± The captain said. ¡°Are you trying to antagonize my son?¡± He no doubt wondered if Valor¡¯s reputation for temper tantrums had proceeded him.


    ¡°He¡¯s just quick on his feet.¡± Dru said. ¡°In fact, Valor could probably help you with your investigation. He would be bound to do better then you two at figuring things out.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯d be surprised.¡± Crow said smoothly.


    Valor didn¡¯t dignify their comments with a response.


    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t really him we¡¯re interested in.¡± Mr. Hobbs said. ¡°Per se.¡±


    Crow stared straight ahead of him, locking eyes with Prin who conveniently, was directly across. ¡°We heard someone was meeting with Freya right around the last time anyone saw her. Someone who didn¡¯t have an appointment.¡±


    ¡°Alive, that is. The last time anyone saw her alive.¡± Hobbs said.


    ¡°Well, that goes without saying.¡± Crow said.


    ¡°Yet, I said it anyway.¡± Mr. Hobbs said.


    ¡°That you did.¡± Crow said. ¡°Did anyone here meet with the dead woman?¡±


    ¡°Before she was dead.¡± Hobbs said.


    ¡°Stop being redundant.¡± Crow told him. ¡°It was only cute the first time.¡±

 Chapter 86

    ¡°An unauthorized meeting?¡± Prin blinked in confusion at Hobbs and Crow. As though he could barely comprehend the meaning of their words.


    ¡°And she was never seen again after that.¡± Crow said, still with the intense eye contact with Prin.


    ¡°We¡¯ve established.¡± Captain Thompson said dryly. He very pointedly looked at his pocket watch.


    ¡°It was her party. I¡¯m sure everyone wanted to talk with her.¡± Valor said quite sensibly.


    ¡°No, someone made a special point of following her to her private chamber. You might even say sneaking along behind her.¡± Crow said pointedly. ¡°Do any of you know who that might be?¡±


    ¡°I-¡° Prin began.


    ¡°I confess.¡± Valor interrupted him. ¡°It was me.¡±


    Captain Thompson looked from Crow to Prin, from Prin to his son, and back again. He took Valor¡¯s arm. ¡°He¡¯s confused. He gets like this sometimes.¡± He said.


    ¡°I wanted to see her. To talk with her privately.¡± Valor persisted. ¡°About my future. Wasn¡¯t Freya supposed to be a great seer of fates?¡±


    Dru snorted. ¡°She sure didn¡¯t manage to see her own fate, did she?¡±


    ¡°Maybe she did.¡± Prin said quietly. ¡°And that¡¯s why the party . . .¡± No one paid attention to him.


    Wrena shot Dru a horrified look. ¡°It¡¯s not funny. None of this is funny.¡±


    Dru shrugged, as if to say, anything can be funny if you put your mind to it.


    ¡°You followed Freya to her office?¡± The way Hobbs said this, implied he knew exactly who had followed her, and wasn¡¯t sure how much to humor Valor in case he knew something. Maybe a little.


    Prin must have realized it too.


    ¡°Not personally.¡± Valor scoffed.


    Captain Thompson eased his grip on Valor¡¯s arm, tilting his head to the side, curious where he was going with this.


    ¡°I had to send someone on my behalf, of course. But he came right back.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Now wait just a second here.¡± Dru said loudly. ¡°Do you think someone witnessed her receiving the animal, or it actually attacking her? And just didn¡¯t think it was any of their business to say anything about it? You did say it was an animal attack.¡±


    ¡°We said it was like an animal attack.¡± Hobbs clarified.


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    ¡°Everyone was saying there would be a surprise.¡± Elwin added, afraid his silence thus far might seem odd or suspicious in some way. What might he be saying in this meeting if he really did know nothing? ¡°Maybe it was supposed to be some sort of animal.¡±


    ¡°An exotic creature.¡± The captain said thoughtfully. ¡°It would be just like her to do it too. To impress everyone.¡±


    ¡°I talked to her assistant.¡± Dru said. ¡°She implied the surprise was something kinda dangerous and she was worried about it. This would fit. A tiger.¡±


    She smiled, the entire mystery being solved, and herself having helped. She looked at her cousin.


    Wrena still glared at her.


    ¡°If it was actually a tiger, then where did it go?¡± Hobbs asked, looking around to see who would solve that one, since they were all so damn smart. Or maybe he was looking to see who was concealing a wild beast behind their back.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already come to the conclusion that the killer was actually a person.¡± Crow said patiently. ¡°Although maybe there was a point to making the body look that way. Maybe to conceal evidence or throw us off.¡±


    ¡°It certainly has worked in throwing you off.¡± The captain snorted. ¡°Since you¡¯re here wasting your time right now.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes you have to turn over a lot of rocks to find a worm.¡± Hobbs said.


    ¡°To catch a big fish with?¡± Crow asked him.


    ¡°Exactly.¡± Hobbs said, satisfied, not realizing he was being poked fun at.


    Under other circumstances it would have been easy to find all this very amusing. Elwin guessed.


    ¡°Go fishing on your own time.¡± The captain said. ¡°Because you¡¯ve about used up as much of mine as I¡¯m willing to give.¡± He tapped his watch. ¡°One more question.¡±


    Hobbs opened his mouth, but Crow elbowed him, giving him a pointed look. Didn¡¯t seem like he was authorized to have the last word.


    ¡°If this is the last one then I had better make it count.¡± Crow said, in a mock thoughtful tone.


    ¡°Quit yer stalling.¡± Captain Thompson admonished.


    Crow looked Prin dead in the face and said. ¡°All I want to know is how you got her out of there last night, and why you returned her this morning.¡±


    Prin blinked at him, the picture of wide eyed innocence. To his credit, he didn¡¯t portray that he knew anything about the disappearing and reappearing corpse.


    ¡°That¡¯s two questions.¡± The captain said dryly. ¡°And I think you¡¯re scaring my kids. This ends now.¡±


    ¡°But I haven¡¯t gotten my answer.¡± Crow protested.


    ¡°This is so ghastly, I can barely believe any of it¡¯s true.¡± Wrena leaned towards Dru, who had begun fanning her again.


    ¡°How and why?¡± Dru asked them. ¡°That¡¯s about all of it. You boys really don¡¯t have a clue. Shall we cut up your steak and wipe your butts for you too, while we¡¯re doing your job for you?¡±


    ¡°No, there¡¯s also who, but we already have a pretty good handle on that one.¡± Crow said steadily.


    ¡°Mmm hmm,¡± Hobbs nodded. ¡°Wait, we do?¡±


    ¡°I said, get out of here.¡± The captain said firmly. ¡°The rest of you.¡± He motioned to the others. ¡°Can go back to your rooms or whatever it was you were doing. I¡¯ll make sure they see their ways out.¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine.¡± Hobbs said. He slid out of the bench and stood up. A more uncomfortable and ungainly motion was hard to picture.


    ¡°We will be back.¡± Crow said. ¡°To conduct a few individual interviews.¡±


    ¡°The hell you will.¡± The captain said, at this point full on scowling at them.


    Wrena had stood up, and practically fled to the door leading into the rest of the house, Dru close behind, heedless of the bottleneck being caused in the doorway.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be back for answers to our questions.¡± Crow said. He stood up and brushed off his suit with his hand, sweeping away invisible crumbs from the snack he wasn¡¯t offered.


    Valor sighed.


    Elwin didn¡¯t think anything of the slight sound, but glanced his way anyway, wondering what sort of interesting parting remark he might be preparing to give.


    So, he wondered if he was the only one looking at the boy when he twitched, and fell suddenly to the ground in an ungracefully heap.

 Chapter 87

    Valor¡¯s clouded-sky eyes rolled back into his head as his body was consumed by painful jerks and spasms.


    Elwin stood up as quickly as he could, although his movements felt like he was mired in thick mud. And, despite his best intentions, others were closer already.


    Before the captain could react, the unfortunate boy¡¯s sister had sprung into action. She took off her robe (revealing a filmy white gown beneath) and folded the belt before shoving it in Valor¡¯s mouth. She rolled him onto his side and put the rest of the robe under his head as a pillow.


    ¡°Will the rest of you back up and give them space!?¡± Dru yelled, as though she were the bodyguard of the queen, and the commoners were getting way too close.


    Elwin would have loved to comply if there were anywhere to go in the small kitchen.


    He looked behind him at Prin who was still seated. The faux tears that had threatened earlier had become real and were trailing down his cheeks. Elwin grabbed his hand and squeezed it.


    The two strangers stood by the backdoor but didn¡¯t seem in a hurry to exit.


    ¡°I had a little cousin who had fits like that.¡± Hobbs said. ¡°They put something in their mouth so they don¡¯t bite their own tongue off.¡±


    Crow nodded in agreement. ¡°She died, didn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you didn¡¯t have to say it.¡± Hobbs said sheepishly.


    ¡°Get out of my house!¡± Captain Thompson roared.


    Hobbs and Crow finally moved toward the door. Hobbs was already outside and Crow had his hand on the door, when he turned back. ¡°We will be back.¡± He said. ¡°Don¡¯t think this little stunt changes anything.¡±


    Elwin cringed, preparing to duck out of the way of the captain when he flew towards the men to beat the life out of them.


    Surprisingly, he stayed where he was, more concerned with Valor then the nonsense words of an idiot.


    Good.


    Crow left, pulling the door shut behind him.


    Prin pulled on Elwin¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s not really a stunt, is it.¡± He looked like he vastly would prefer Elwin to tell him it was. That it was just a dramatic trick to make the nosey men leave.


    Elwin saw the wet spot that spread across the front of Valor¡¯s pants, and doubted even he would have commitment to the bit enough to fake that. But, he didn¡¯t want to point it out to preserve his dignity.


    ¡°Papa, he can¡¯t really die from a seizure, right?¡± Wrena asked her father. Her voice carrying more emotion for the well being of her sibling then Elwin would have ever imagined she was capable of.


    In fact, her entire reaction to this whole thing shocked him, come to think of it.


    ¡°No, pet, of course not.¡± Captain Thompson lied.


    Dru knelt down beside her cousins, and was holding Valor¡¯s hand as the flopping and shaking stopped and he went limp.


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    Wrena eased the belt out of his mouth and smoothed back his pale hair from his even paler forehead. ¡°All better now, shhh shhh.¡± She murmured.


    Valor¡¯s eyes fluttered shut and, except for shallow breathing he was completely still.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get him to bed.¡± The captain reached down and awkwardly picked Valor up. ¡°Oof, he¡¯s grown since the last time I had to carry him.¡±


    ¡°Let me do it.¡± Elwin volunteered.


    ¡°I could carry him, I think.¡± Dru said at the same time. She looked at Elwin and shrugged. ¡°Nah, you do it. Put those pretty arm muscles to some use.¡±


    Captain Thompson reluctantly handed him over to Elwin. ¡°For the sake of my back.¡±


    Elwin held him like a baby, nestling his face against his shoulder.


    They all shuffled out of the kitchen, Prin and Wrena each making it hard for Elwin to move because they insisted on hovering over his shoulders to look closely at Valor every second.


    Out in the hallway, Mrs. Frances and her quiet helper were waiting. It was clear from the anxiety on Mrs. Frances¡¯s face that she had heard all, and seen all probably as well. Her assistant just looked a bit lost, with wide frightened eyes. Probably worried about continuing to have a job if this crazy household fell to pieces.


    Mrs. Frances motioned her assistant to go with them. ¡°Take fresh towels, and bring out the laundry.¡±


    The girl hesitated for a moment before nodding. She scurried off to grab the towels before joining the procession.


    Elwin was reminded a little too much of a funeral parade as he led the way, carrying the so far unresponsive Valor. Prin and Wrena following directly behind, then the captain, Dru, and the serving girl the reluctant tail of the dragon.


    Surely after everything he had been through, he wouldn¡¯t let something like this kill him? A little thing like this . . .


    Everyone seemed pretty worried.


    When he stopped in front of Valor¡¯s room to allow Prin to reach around him and open it, he couldn¡¯t help speaking. ¡°This has happened before . . . right? And he was okay?¡±


    Wrena exchanged a dark look with her father. ¡°Not for a while. We kind of hoped he had outgrown it.¡± Wrena said.


    ¡°This is why we don¡¯t take him swimming anymore.¡± Captain Thompson said cryptically.


    Elwin laid the sleeping boy down in his bed, and Prin doused a rag in water and draped it over his forehead.


    When Elwin started to strip his soiled clothes, the girls and the captain excused themselves from the room, except for Mrs. Frances assistant, standing at the ready with her towels.


    Wrena made Prin promise to alert her immediately if anything were to happen.


    ¡°Maybe you could bring a basin of warm water?¡± Prin asked the shy seeming girl. ¡°I don¡¯t want him to wake up dirty and be embarrassed.¡±


    The assistant sat down her towels and left, returning quickly with a bowel of water and a bar of soap.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had to do much for him lately. Not that I¡¯m complaining.¡± She said, as Prin and Elwin wiped Valor down and redressed him in a clean night shirt. ¡°You two must not mind . . .¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t mind.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°He¡¯s our friend.¡± Prin said, his voice retaining its teary quality. He sat down beside Valor on the bed and held his hand.


    The girl¡¯s eyebrows raised. ¡°You don¡¯t gotta lie in front of me, I¡¯m not his family. He¡¯s a bad, wicked boy isn¡¯t he. Even they know it, but I suppose their obligated . . . by blood.¡± She gathered up the dirty laundry as she spoke, straightening up the room a little as she went.


    She almost kicked one of the black kitties, who arched its back at her and hissed.


    ¡°He is not!¡± Prin said passionately. ¡°A person can do bad things sometimes without being a ¡°bad wicked¡± person. I know it was wrong of him to throw things at you. It¡¯s just . . . it¡¯s just because he¡¯s been so miserable, you see? I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Elwin wondered why Prin was apologizing on Valor¡¯s behalf, like he was responsible for him in some way. Seemed like it had happened more then once.


    The girl shook her head solemnly. ¡°No, it¡¯s true, he¡¯s wicked from the inside out, and if you stick around here you¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve misjudged him.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Not that I blame you. We¡¯ll talk to him about his behavior.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡± The girl said. ¡°Throwing things and yelling? I¡¯ve handled worse. That¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about.¡± She went to the door and stopped abruptly, turning back around toward Prin and Elwin. ¡°This boy has dark spirits around him. You¡¯d better leave here now before something bad happens to you.¡±


    She turned back around and spoke quickly before she left the room, as though summoning up the last ounce of her nerve. ¡°And don¡¯t come back. There won¡¯t be time for another warning.¡±

 Chapter 88

    ¡°Did that sound like a threat to anyone else, besides me?¡± Elwin wondered. He sat down on the foot of the bed across from Prin, and watched the door the girl had just retreated out of in wonder. The last person in the world he would have thought would threaten him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she didn¡¯t mean it that way.¡± Prin said, but his voice, quivery and uneasy, put lie to his words. ¡°What a strange thing to say.¡±


    ¡°I think she meant it exactly like that . . . But why say it?¡± Elwin said. He felt a protective surge for both Prin and Valor.


    ¡°Maybe she¡¯s jealous, and doesn¡¯t even realize it herself.¡± Prin suggested.


    ¡°I love it that you always want to think the best of people.¡± Elwin said. His prince was so pure and sweet, even after everything he had been through.


    ¡°I think maybe we should tell someone. Captain Thompson, or maybe just Mrs. Frances.¡± He added.


    ¡°You think so? Won¡¯t she lose her job?¡± Prin asked. He took the wash cloth from Valor¡¯s forehead and smoothed back the damp hair. ¡°Is it really that serious?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm . . . it was just so strange. After we¡¯ve never heard two words from her before now. I don¡¯t even know her name, do you?¡± Elwin was pretty sure he was being paranoid, but who could blame him when sometimes it really did seem like everything was out to get them?¡±


    Prin grimaced. ¡°I may have forgotten.¡±


    ¡°She has been sort of forgettable.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Until today.¡±


    Thankfully Valor began to stir, saving them from further angst on the subject of finding good help these days.


    ¡°Can I have something to drink.¡± Valor said. His voice cracking in the middle, less due to emotion and more from a throat as dry as desert clay.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Prin squeaked.


    Elwin got up and quickly fetched a mug of water from the pitcher left on Valor¡¯s side table.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± Prin asked.


    Valor quickly drank down the mug of water, coughing and sputtering when it went down the wrong pipe.


    Prin patted his back.


    ¡°Terrible.¡± Valor finally got out. ¡°Like I was run over by a horse.¡±


    ¡°You poor thing.¡± Prin said. ¡°I¡¯ve never ¨C I¡¯ve rarely seen something so awful in my life.¡±


    ¡°Prin thought for a moment you might have been faking it.¡± Elwin couldn¡¯t help himself.


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    ¡°I did not!¡± Prin was outraged. ¡°Okay . . . fair, it did cross my mind.¡± Maybe not that outraged.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°You had a seizure.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Did it make them leave?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Sort of, but I think they were going anyway.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Your father really had enough of those two.¡±


    Valor nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take credit then.¡±


    Prin kissed his cheek. ¡°Next time come up with a less scary distraction.¡± He teased. ¡°We were so worried.¡±


    ¡°This used to happen sometimes when I was a kid.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°You¡¯re still a kid.¡± Elwin pointed out.


    ¡°I may have misled you as to the state of my health.¡± Valor said sheepishly to Prin.


    ¡°It only takes one look at you to tell.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°That bad, huh?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°No it¡¯s not.¡± Prin said. ¡°You¡¯re just pale and thin like I used to be when I was sick all the time. You¡¯re still cute though.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Valor said. But a little half smile graced his face.


    And he was sort of cute at that.


    ¡°Those men, we have to find out who sent them.¡± Valor said, taking a serious turn. ¡°That¡¯s who has a vested interest in railroading you.¡±


    ¡°Is it really railroading . . ?¡± Prin wondered, leaving the final part unspoken. If it¡¯s true?


    ¡°They have no idea what they¡¯re talking about.¡± Valor said. ¡°They just wanted you to think they do.¡± He coughed again and leaned back against his pillows. ¡°Don¡¯t let anything slip.¡±


    Elwin filled up his water and handed it back to him. ¡°You need to rest.¡±


    ¡°Does Aster know? Because they will be interrogating him next.¡± Valor said ominously.


    ¡°Oh no, no no.¡± Prin said, waving his hands in denial. ¡°No. Even if she did, she wouldn¡¯t . . . do that to me. Get me in trouble.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what people will say,¡± Valor said, ¡°if they are properly threatened.¡±


    ¡°You read all this in books, I¡¯d imagine.¡± Elwin said dryly. ¡°Or, rather, had it read to you.¡± He added, realizing his mistake.


    ¡°So?¡± Valor asked. ¡°Doesn¡¯t make it less true. It¡¯s common sense.¡±


    ¡°Aster doesn¡¯t know anything.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I have a feeling she isn¡¯t intimidated by authority figures.¡± Elwin said. He was pretty sure Aster also didn¡¯t need him and Prin coming to her defense. Yet here they were.


    ¡°Are they even in authority? I¡¯m surprised my father let them in the door.¡± Valor closed his eyes again, sagging into the bed.


    ¡°He won¡¯t be making that mistake again.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh . . . but they will try.¡± Prin chewed on the corner of his lip. ¡°They said . . .¡±


    ¡°We should go. Valor needs to sleep, he can barely keep his eyes open.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°What if . . . those men go to bother Aster and the fairy eats them.¡± Valor mumbled, chuckling at the idea. It ended in a weak coughing fit.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s violent.¡± Prin said. With a face that clearly said, I hope.


    Valor nuzzled into his pillows, and, as if on cue, his two familiars jumped up on the bed beside him and settled in for a nap.


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave him.¡± Prin said, motioning to the helpless Valor. ¡°He needs me by his side. What if . . . There are too many what ifs.¡±


    The fact that Valor did not immediately sit straight up and heatedly assert his independence, his self sufficiency, spoke volumes.


    ¡°It would have been good if we ¨C¡± Elwin started. ¡°Weren¡¯t we going to go check on Aster tonight? And even more so now . . .¡± He knew he wasn¡¯t articulating himself very well but hoped that Prin would understand him. As much as he would like to stay with Valor and guard him from misguided serving maids, further seizures, and his own bad luck, there were other things to take into consideration. Other pressing concerns.


    ¡°It will just have to wait.¡± Prin said firmly.


    Elwin, knowing Prin well enough to know it was the final word on the subject, kicked off his shoes and climbed across the large bed to settle in on the other side of Prin. There was no reason to rely on decorum anymore at this point. He leaned his head on Prin¡¯s shoulder.


    Valor knew all of their secrets and they, some measure of his (Elwin wasn¡¯t sure how the percentage on that broke down), what was left after all that trust was to take care of each other. Elwin supposed.

 Chapter 89

    It was very dark when Prin woke up. For a moment he was confused about where he was, but only for a moment. He felt warm and safe, so nowhere scary. Beneath his right hand was something soft and furry. He scritched the cat¡¯s back as it came drifting into focus that he was with Valor in his room in the afternoon, and he must have fallen asleep. He could sense that Elwin was on the other side of him, a solid comforting presence. All was right with the world as long as Elwin was there.


    The frail boy on his other side began to shake and twitch. Prin was flooded with the memory of the seizure. Did they come with aftershocks? Like an earthquake?


    Prin reached over and put his hand on Valor¡¯s arm, moving it to his chest and over his heart, as best as he could in the darkness. His eyes started to adjust, as they were quick to do now, and he could see him and the darkened room, curtains closed and no light peeking from around their edges. How long had he slept?


    The movements slowed and quit. Just like a pup with a bad dream. Prin was pretty sure that¡¯s all it had been, a dream.


    He rarely dreamed himself anymore, unless it was a nightmare.


    Prin couldn¡¯t remember what he was trying to get up for, and after all, everyone else was still asleep . . . He had just decided to allow himself to drift off again, when Valor stirred again.


    He sat straight up beside Prin.


    ¡°Go back to sleep.¡± Prin murmured. The arm he was patting felt weird. Sticky and thin.


    Prin looked at his fingers, in the dim light the blood was a smear of black ink but with that signature smell.


    Valor turned to him and his face was stripped of flesh. All that remained was red bone and strips of connective tissue. And eyes, green and glowing like a cat¡¯s and seeing Prin perfectly. More than perfectly.


    ¡°You carry them with you.¡± He said. Voice improbably strong and clear from someone with no mouth, and probably no vocal chords. ¡°The ones you¡¯ve killed are all inside you. Biding their time until they can return the favor. Slowly tearing you apart, bit by bit.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Prin said, choking the word out around the lump of horror in his throat.


    The thing that was once Valor chuckled, it¡¯s bare teeth parting slightly to release the unearthly sound. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you still have some time. They won¡¯t come for you until after you have destroyed everyone you have ever loved. And by then you will beg for death.¡±


    The skeleton thing¡¯s jaw hung slack, and one of its eyes burst like over ripe fruit.


    Prin screamed and sat up, thrashing against the covers like they were so many arms wrapped around his limbs and pulling him under fetid swamp waters. Six arms now, he was keenly aware, six dead arms.


    He felt a shift in perspective, he was waking up. A flood of relief poured through his system. It had been a dream, all one of those rare bad dreams.


    Prin sat up, for real this time, although it was just as dark as it had been in the dream. He clutched his chest, trying to hold in his heart, beating like a bird against window glass.


    Valor really was twitching beside him and when he made a mewling sound, Prin couldn¡¯t take it anymore and shook his shoulder to wake him from his dream. Gods forbid it should be a nightmare half the equal of the one Prin just had.


    Valor jolted awake, his body stiffening under Prin¡¯s hand.


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    ¡°It¡¯s weird to have someone in bed with me.¡± Valor said. ¡°I almost forgot.¡± His voice sounded odd, muffled and slurred.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You were having a bad dream.¡± Prin said. He was still terrified from his own bad dream and he wondered if they should swap them. Would it be a comfort? Or, more like some things are better kept to yourself.


    Prin reached out and absently brushed Valor¡¯s cheek. Something felt slick and sticky. Had he been crying in his sleep? ¡°You can go back to sleep now, it¡¯s night. Well, I think it is anyway.¡±


    There was that smell again, bitter and metallic. He raised his hand up to where he could see it. It was stained with something dark.


    Prin leaned over Valor and peered at him in the shadows. The entire bottom half of Valor¡¯s face was black with blood.


    The screaming was so outside himself, that it took what felt an eternity for Prin to realize it was himself that was doing it. And he couldn¡¯t stop.


    *


    ¡°Really? Can you please shut him up? At the rate he¡¯s going, he¡¯s gonna wake the neighbors!¡± Wrena tended to her brother, while angrily shouting at Elwin to do something about his man.


    Elwin held Prin close to his chest and rocked him. While he was screaming, now muffled by Elwin¡¯s shirt, tears were streaming down his face. ¡°Shh, shhh, shhh, Prinny. Everything¡¯s okay.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Is he okay?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Wrena said, firm, bordering on contemptuous. ¡°It¡¯s just a nosebleed.¡± She leaned Valor¡¯s head back and held a rag to his nose. ¡°I mean you, not him. I don¡¯t know what the hell is wrong with him.¡±


    Valor flailed his arms and tried to wriggle away from his sister but she had a firm grip. ¡°No. I need to check on Prin.¡± His voice was muffled behind the rag.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s almost stopped.¡± Wrena ignored him.


    Dru hung by the door in her ratty men¡¯s pajamas, peeking out into the hallway. ¡°It would be nice if we could not wake uncle and worry him half to death.¡± She suggested, offering no plan on how to accomplish this.


    Wrena removed the rag and got a clean one out of the bowl of water at her side. ¡°Just hold still, cut that out.¡± She washed the worst of the blood from his face. ¡°That was the worst one I¡¯ve seen.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡± Valor said. ¡°Unless there¡¯s something you¡¯re not telling me. Do I look like a zombie?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Dru said. ¡°I think you scared him beyond all reason. Literally.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s getting hoarse.¡± Valor fretted.


    ¡°He has some . . . trauma around blood.¡± Elwin said. He patted Prin¡¯s back, not knowing what else to do, aside from smothering him to death to make the screaming stop.


    It did seem to be easing. He was wearing himself out.


    ¡°Valor is alright.¡± He said sweetly and in vain. ¡°You used to get nosebleeds too, remember?¡±


    ¡°You know what? I¡¯m gonna go get some tea. There is some medicated tea . . .¡± Dru said.


    ¡°Like knock out tea? Thank the gods. Go get it now before my ears start to bleed.¡± Wrena said.


    Dru quickly left, shutting the door behind herself to hopefully block out a little of the noise from the rest of the house.


    ¡°Hurry and get it out of your system. I don¡¯t want them to drug you.¡± Elwin said. He pulled Prin further onto his lap and rocked him like a baby. The screaming trailed off and was replaced with wracking sobs and hiccups.


    ¡°How could someone live with such a nervous disposition? And to think, they thought he might have had something to do with a murder.¡± Wrena arranged the pillows behind Valor to prop him up in a more comfortable position.


    ¡°Hush, you spider, don¡¯t talk down to Prin. Anyone would be nervous after what all has happened.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°You hush, garden snake.¡± Wrena said, but her words had no bite to them. It was more of a term of endearment.


    By the time Dru returned with a tray of tea, Prin had started to return to himself.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked Valor, between sobbing breaths.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Valor said. ¡°I¡¯m just ¨C My head hurts. More importantly, are you okay?¡± He reached out, his hand grasping air as it sought Prin¡¯s.


    Prin leaned toward him and took his hand. ¡°I guess . . . after how they d-described what happened to ¨C I thought something had gotten to you in the night.¡±


    Elwin continued to hold him, patting his back. ¡°It¡¯s all over now.¡±


    ¡°I was half asleep, I know it¡¯s irrational.¡± Prin said sheepishly.


    ¡°Hey, I saw what he looked like. That was a lot of blood.¡± Dru said. ¡°Damn.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I thought I was fine now.¡± Valor said dryly.


    ¡°You are.¡± Wrena said, giving Dru a stern look.


    ¡°Do you still want tea? It might help you get back to sleep.¡± Dru suggested. ¡°Luckily, that girl, whatshername? Was still awake and she helped me out. Said this is Valor¡¯s and this is Prin¡¯s.¡± She pointed to a sky blue cup for Valor and a green cup for Prin. ¡°And I should see that they specifically get them? So I guess those are the medicated teas.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I should?¡± Prin said, sounding frail and helpless. He reached for the green mug.


    Elwin felt something crawl up his spine. A bad feeling. An intuition that he couldn¡¯t shake.


    ¡°No.¡± He blocked Prin¡¯s hand from he tea cup. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. And Valor shouldn¡¯t drink his either.¡±

 Chapter 90

    ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± Wrena asked.


    At the same time, Valor asked. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Their heads both tilted to the side at precisely the same angle, for a moment they could have been twins.


    They must both strongly favor their mother, Elwin thought. Even if the captain had been quite a looker in his day, he couldn¡¯t picture him with this delicacy of features.


    ¡°It may not be safe.¡± Elwin said, trying to get his mind back on target (it had been a long day). ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s in there. In fact ¨C¡±


    ¡°What do ya mean, not safe? Do you think I¡¯m the murderer?¡± Dru asked. She sat down on the edge of the bed. As though preparing to get comfortable for storytime, as this explanation ought to be good.


    ¡°No, of course not. It¡¯s not even about the murder, or ¨C whatever happened.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s the maid, the girl who works here, how well do you know ¨C?¡±


    ¡°Now you think our staff killed the fortuneteller!?¡± Wrena stood back up, crossing her arms, a curl bounced loose from under her night bonnet indignantly. ¡°She wasn¡¯t even there!¡±


    Prin leaned back against Elwin¡¯s chest. ¡°We, she said ¨C Do you really think it was that serious?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe I¡¯m just tired.¡± Elwin said, almost wishing he hadn¡¯t said a thing. Almost. ¡°I was just thinking, Valor¡¯s symptoms and the suddenness of it all. Also, I had a really bad feeling earlier based on something she said.¡±


    ¡°If she was going to poisonous us, she would have done it by now. She¡¯s worked here for, I don¡¯t know, a few years anyway.¡± Wrena rolled her eyes. ¡°We all need to just go back to bed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like seizures and nose bleeds have never happened before.¡± Valor said. Although it¡¯s been a while.¡± Valor said.


    Elwin sighed. He would have preferred to have this conversation with just Valor, but that didn¡¯t seem to be an option. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get anyone in trouble if it¡¯s nothing. But the serving girl said some disparaging, and frankly just weird, things about Valor, and it ended on a vaguely threatening note.¡± Not that people weren¡¯t thinking weird things about Valor all the time, Elwin added silently, they just mostly had the decency not to say it.


    ¡°There¡¯s a fine line between threatening and warning.¡± Prin cautioned. ¡°Don¡¯t you think ¨C¡±


    ¡°Utter nonsense!¡± Wrena declared.


    ¡°Let me get this straight, you think Mrs. Frances¡¯ assistant is poisoning Valor?¡± Dru asked.


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    ¡°O-ooh, I guess not.¡± Elwin said miserably. ¡°I just had a bad feeling.¡±


    ¡°I just can¡¯t figure out why she would?¡± Dru said.


    ¡°Because everyone¡¯s life would be easier without me around.¡± Valor said.


    Wrena smacked him lightly across the head. ¡°Don¡¯t say something like that. It¡¯s depressing.¡±


    ¡° . . . I wasn¡¯t saying it, saying it. That¡¯s what she might think, is what I was saying.¡± Valor¡¯s eyes narrowed at his sister, an expression that said, Do you feel that way? Do you think I should feel that way?


    Wrena didn¡¯t dignify that face with a response.


    ¡°You all woke up in the middle of the night and had a scare, nothing more. End of story.¡± Wrena said firmly. ¡°And as for you, I¡¯m sending for the doctor in the morning.¡± She told Valor. ¡°Try to stay alive until he gets here. Otherwise it would be embarrassing for me.¡±


    ¡°Are you absolutely a hundred percent sure you¡¯re right?¡± Dru asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Wrena said.


    ¡°Alright then, bottoms up.¡± Dru took Valor¡¯s tea cup and drank it down. ¡°I could use a good night¡¯s sleep myself.¡± She yawned wide. ¡°Good night kids, and good luck.¡±


    She stood up and stretched languorously, arms reaching toward the stars, as she headed for the door.


    ¡°Good luck with what!?¡± Wrena yelled after her.


    ¡°Whatever the night brings.¡± Dru waved good bye over her shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s left of it.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second!¡± Wrena called. She turned toward the door and then back to the bed rapidly, as though she wasn¡¯t sure where she wanted to go. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m going back to bed too.¡± She sighed. ¡°Please tell me if anything else happens. But not in the form of a scream, even my nerves won¡¯t be able to take that a second time in one night.¡± She bent down and kissed Valor on the forehead.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Prin said sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯ll keep a light burning this time, maybe that will help.¡±


    ¡°Why is everyone kissing me tonight? Am I dying?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°No dummy, you¡¯re way to stubborn to ever do that.¡± Wrena said.


    Elwin didn¡¯t like the look on her face when she looked at her brother. She was worried, for sure. Worried and trying to hide it, but not doing a very good job of it.


    Luckily for all that, her brother was blind. Which should help a little. As long as her voice was tough maybe he¡¯d buy it.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡± Valor said. ¡°I don¡¯t even feel that bad. I¡¯m fine. Maybe just overdoing it a bit lately.¡± He wasn¡¯t buying it, and just adding his own lies on top of hers.


    ¡°Alright, good night then, I guess.¡± Wrena tucked her errant curl back up under her night cap. ¡°We¡¯ll talk more in the morning.¡±


    ¡°Oh. In that case, maybe I will go on and die tonight.¡± Valor said, a little smirk on his pale lips. ¡°And save us both.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha. I¡¯m not that bad.¡± Wrena huffed. ¡°And even if I am, you¡¯re stuck with me!¡± On that note she flounced out of the room.


    Elwin could hear her footsteps hurry up as soon as she was out the door and into the hallway. Running to catch up to Dru.


    ¡°You two are surprisingly cute together.¡± Prin said. His voice cracked in the middle, and Elwin bet his throat must be sore.


    ¡°Me and that thing?¡± Valor laughed, cutting it off abruptly to cough. ¡°She¡¯s been irritated by my presence since I was born.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how siblings are supposed to be.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°She loves you.¡± Prin assured.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about her.¡± Valor said. ¡°More importantly, what are you talking about? The poison tea and all that?¡±


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s nothing, nothing at all. Wrena¡¯s probably right.¡± Elwin said. He thought of Dru drinking the tea meant for Valor. As odd as she was, he would hate to see anything happen to her. Still it wasn¡¯t his fault, he had told everyone his hunch, even if it did make him sound like a fool. So now . . .


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ll find out soon enough if it was poison.¡± Prin said solemnly, taking the words right out of his mouth.

 Chapter 91

    Sleep found him again, somehow. Although when he did open his eyes, Elwin saw that he may have been the only one.


    Prin and Valor sat at a small two man table in the corner of the room, their heads bent close together, talking with quiet intensity.


    ¡°What time is it?¡± Elwin asked groggily. ¡°You could have woke me.¡± He sat up and stretched his arms over his head. Any sense of what time it properly was eluded him. Was it still the middle of the night then?


    ¡°No need.¡± Valor said. He had a robe on over his grey night shirt, white with blue flowers, and his own skin blended in to the white of the robe.


    ¡°You should be resting.¡± Elwin protested. No matter what time it might be.


    ¡°It¡¯s morning now, but just barely.¡± Prin said. He stood up and went to the curtains filling most of the back wall of Valor¡¯s bedroom. He peeked out before opening them fully and letting in the meager light of the very new day. ¡°We wanted to let you sleep.¡± He said sweetly.


    ¡°We were just discussing strategies.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°What to do next.¡± Prin said. ¡°I think we should get off this island just as soon as we possibly can. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s getting a bit . . . stuffy?¡± His blue eyes transmitted to Elwin¡¯s a sense of worry bordering on existential dread. He wanted to be agreed with.


    ¡°And I think that fleeing will only focus the suspicion.¡± Valor said. ¡°A guilty man runs farthest.¡±


    ¡°But if they never find us then . . .¡± Prin trailed off.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been up long enough for this conversation.¡± Elwin said, after a long pause.


    ¡°We still have some time to kill before breakfast.¡± Prin said. He was looking intently out the window now, as though watching for spies.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say kill.¡± Valor teased.


    ¡°Haha.¡± Prin rolled his eyes. But, the corner of his lip turned up, repressing a real laugh.


    ¡°I guess. . . if we go to breakfast it will be a good opportunity to see if Dru is sick.¡± Elwin said. He felt guilty for not stopping her, although, in all actuality the tea was probably fine.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you think the staff are trying to poison me.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Not Mrs. Frances, just the other one.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It may be because of how you¡¯ve treated her.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave until we find out for sure if she means him any harm.¡± Prin fretted. ¡°We¡¯ve got to confront her.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more likely to be part of the curse.¡± Valor said. ¡°I get really sick or injured sometimes but then I always recover. I think the curse doesn¡¯t want me dead, because then it would die with me. It just wants me to suffer.¡± He propped his head up on his hand.


    ¡°You make it sound like a living thing that doesn¡¯t want to be snuffed out of existence.¡± Prin said.


    Valor shrugged. ¡°It is what it is.¡±


    ¡°After breakfast we should go see Aster. I¡¯d like to know how it¡¯s going . . .¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°If the fairy has revealed itself!¡± Valor suddenly perked up.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin agreed. ¡°No matter what else happens, we still have that hanging over our heads don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°You act like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean that.¡± Prin rubbed his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s just a lot right now. I can barely keep it all straight.¡±


    ¡°I want to come with you this time, can I?¡± Valor looked intensely over Prin¡¯s shoulder. Eh, close enough.


    Prin sighed. ¡°Of course. Why not.¡±


    Elwin could tell the hidden subtext was, it¡¯s better to at least have him where we can keep an eye on him. ¡°Aster won¡¯t mind.¡± Elwin said.


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    ¡°Let¡¯s get dressed for the day. My face still feels sticky, I need to wash up.¡± Valor stood up quickly, forgetting that he didn¡¯t have his usual vigor.


    Elwin watched his pale skin go grey and he staggered, reaching out and missing the chair as he went down.


    Prin, who had been standing several feet away at the window, moved too fast for Elwin¡¯s eyes to track but all of a sudden he was at Valor¡¯s side stopping his fall to the ground.


    Elwin blinked in surprised but didn¡¯t say anything.


    Prin sat on the floor and held Valor in his arms like a child, a gangly child who¡¯s arms and legs didn¡¯t fit but still.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Valor said. ¡°I just got dizzy for a minute. Let go.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Prin said. ¡°You¡¯re just going to try again to get up real fast, aren¡¯t you.¡±


    ¡°So what if I am.¡± Valor said petulantly.


    ¡°Let me help.¡± Elwin got up and went to them. He bent down and put his arms around Valor¡¯s chest and gradually lifted him into a standing position. ¡°Better?¡±


    ¡°Stop fussing.¡± Valor flapped his hands at them. ¡°I need some breathing room.¡±


    Elwin dutifully backed up.


    ¡°You can¡¯t go out today, Val, you need to regain your strength.¡± Prin said.


    Valor glared. ¡°Help me get dressed.¡±


    Elwin and Prin exchanged looks.


    ¡°Please.¡± Valor added. As though that¡¯s what they had been waiting for. As though they were proving a point.


    Elwin went to pour water into the wash basin.


    They helped Valor get dressed and wash his face.


    Prin took his arm, although they both seemed a little unsteady on their feet as they walked to the kitchen for breakfast.


    Elwin followed close behind, in case he needed to do any catching. Although he wasn¡¯t as fast as Prin. Apparently.


    They sat down in the kitchen. Valor did not look particularly enthused about eating.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t at least eat something you definitely can¡¯t go out with us today.¡± Prin said.


    Before Valor had a chance to answer, Wrena and Dru bustled into the kitchen.


    Dru plopped down on the bench seating across the table, looking right as rain. Chipper even.


    Elwin felt like a fool, but he still believed in his own instincts. The girl was weird.


    She appeared to be giving Prin a funny look, even as they sat here eating their pancakes. What did she want from him? Ah, to leave, Elwin remembered.


    ¡°What are you doing out of bed!¡± Wrena exclaimed. ¡°And dressed even! I was going to bring you something in your room.¡± She turned to Elwin and Prin with a look that said, how did you let this happen? She put her hands on her hips.


    She was already dressed herself. Looking nice in a cotton day dress printed all over with fruits and flowers, her blond hair done up in a ponytail with a spill of artful curls.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a child. Leave me alone.¡± Valor said. Spoken like a true grumpy child that missed his nap time.


    Wrena talked to Mrs. Frances and the two of them poured some hot water into a tea cup. ¡°Drink this, I won¡¯t take no for an answer.¡± She plopped the cup down pointedly in front of Valor.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s beef broth. Good for you.¡± Wrena said.


    ¡°I slept great.¡± Dru said, to no one in particular. She stretched her arms out luxuriantly. ¡°Thanks for asking.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Try it.¡± Prin urged. ¡°Everyone is worried about you.¡±


    Valor sighed.


    Just then Captain Thompson burst in and looked surprised to see everyone up and sitting around the table. ¡°My boy! Are you alright now?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Papa I¡¯m getting irritated. He won¡¯t listen to a word we say.¡± Wrena said crossly.


    ¡°You should just leave him alone.¡± Dru suggested.


    ¡°Son, what¡¯s going on?¡± The captain put his arm around his son and picked up the cup of broth, giving it a delicate sniff. ¡°Soup. Ah, is this the vegetarian thing again? You have to make an exception for your health.¡± He put the cup in Valor¡¯s hand. ¡°Drink up, but carefully. It¡¯s hot.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to go out and fetch the doctor.¡± Wrena said.


    ¡°O-oh, I don¡¯t know if . . .¡± Captain Thompson said. A far away look in his eyes. Perhaps remembering past doctors visits that had ended with shoes and tableware flung at their venerable heads.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t see the nosebleed last night.¡± Wrena said ominously.


    ¡°That too?¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Alright fetch him and tell him I¡¯ll give him double, or if he seems reluctant, triple his going rate.¡±


    Wrena nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll take the carriage.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute, I won¡¯t be home this morning.¡± Valor said. ¡°We are going out for a while. But I promise to go along with whatever you say when I get back.¡±


    And so, it was with this unprecedented offer of cooperation on his part, along with his willingness to eat some breakfast first, that Valor gained permission to accompany Prin and Elwin.


    They took a carriage, so as not to tire Valor out, although they stopped before getting directly to Mama Kris¡¯s establishment. Walking the short distance from the parking spot to the pink house.


    ¡°Once again we¡¯re here when they¡¯re not even open.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Better this way.¡± Elwin said.


    It was still fairly early in the morning when they traveled to the back yard and worked their way to Aster¡¯s shed. Elwin was a bit dismayed at the lack of security. Even after everything that had happened they were just allowed to go where they pleased.


    Elwin held onto Valor¡¯s arm, hoping to add support to the shaky boy, while Prin knocked softly at the door. When no answer came immediately, Prin got out his own key and turned it in the lock.


    Briefly, and a moment too late, it occurred to Elwin that Aster could be in bed with someone, in a non sleeping way. Leading to an embarrassing situation for all involved, where in regrets could occur


    Prin led the way inside, where it was dark and quiet.


    The light from the open doorway fell in a square across the bed, illuminating the sleeping Aster. She was curled up in a fetal position on top of the covers in the very center of the bed, red curls spread out on a pillow.


    ¡°Aster.¡± Prin called softly.


    Aster made a sleepy little noise, not really words. But as they watched, one of her curls arose from the pillow into the air, and catching a beam of light just so, shone like a beacon, like a miniaturized star.


    And it took Elwin a moment to realize it, but there was the ¡°bug¡± in all it¡¯s blood red glory.

 Chapter 92

    Prin grabbed Valor and Elwin¡¯s hands, clutching them tightly and holding on for dear life. ¡°It¡¯s here!¡± he said in a loud stage whisper.


    ¡°The fairy has red wings to match with Aster¡¯s hair.¡± Elwin added.


    ¡°Bright red, like a drop of blood on fresh snow.¡± Prin said breathlessly.


    ¡°Shh, quiet down.¡± Aster mumbled. ¡°Don¡¯ make me regret giving you that key.¡±


    The fairy hovered in the air before them, and Prin could swear it was looking directly at him. Making eye contact. He wondered if Aster had a magnifying glass. It had been a mistake not to bring one. But in the depths of his heart he had thought they would never see this fascinating bug again, and all questions would remain unanswered, threads of curiosity forever dangling.


    ¡°We-this is our friend, Valor.¡± Prin told it. ¡°He can¡¯t see you, but he very much wanted to meet you.¡±


    Aster burrowed further into her pillows. ¡°What time is it? No- never mind. Just wanna sleep.¡±


    Since the fairy showed no signs of flying off or hiding, at least not yet, Prin dropped Elwin¡¯s hand and flattened Valor¡¯s, stretching it out before them to make a landing stage for the fairy.


    If he couldn¡¯t see it, at least he could feel it. Maybe. Or was this too soon?


    The fairy started towards them slowly.


    ¡°Just hold still, whatever you do.¡± Prin urged Valor.


    ¡°If you already know this fairy, then you should really properly introduce us.¡± Elwin told Aster, his tone lightly teasing.


    The bright red thing flew closer to them, gliding effortlessly forward like a song in the breeze, and a collective breath was pulled in as it landed on Valor¡¯s outstretched hand.


    ¡°Barely feels like anything.¡± Valor said softly. ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°Huh?!¡± Aster sat up suddenly, tossing her pillows aside and giving them a cartoonishly wide eyed look. ¡°What the hell is that?¡±


    The bug took flight again, and to Prin¡¯s surprise it was the startler herself that it flew towards.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± Aster said. ¡°This is one weird dream.¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s not.¡± Prin said. ¡°We brought it -her? Home from the party. Accidentally. But that¡¯s pretty much all we know.¡±


    ¡°Dream Prin would say that.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°She likes you.¡± Prin said. ¡°She seems attached to you.¡±


    ¡°You mean you haven¡¯t noticed anything before now? Nothing strange?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Well there has been a lot going on . . . What¡¯s a butterfly or two?¡± Aster asked.


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    ¡°Are you lying?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°What are you even doing here?¡± Aster countered. She lounged back on the bed, replacing the pillows behind herself and fluffing them up, stretching out her legs in their ruffly bloomers. ¡°Oh no, wait, nothing happened to your father, did it? I don¡¯t think I could take that too right now, on top of everything . . .¡±


    The fairy perched itself on top of Aster¡¯s head, once again blending itself with the surrounding curls almost seamlessly.


    ¡°No, he¡¯s fine.¡± Valor tilted his head in Prin¡¯s direction. Although Prin was not sure what he wanted him to do.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be cross with us.¡± Prin said. ¡°We saw the fairy the other day when we were here, that¡¯s why we came back here looking for it. We just didn¡¯t have a chance to tell you about it then.¡± Prin worried they were out of line showing up here so early. In fact, he knew they were.


    ¡°I¡¯m not cross.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Yes you are.¡± Elwin said.


    Aster stuck her tongue out at Elwin before turning back to Prin. ¡°I could never be angry with you, bunny. Come here.¡±


    Aster stretched out her arms to Prin and Prin went to her. He got on the bed and gratefully accepted the hug. Also taking the opportunity to get his face (probably unwisely) close to the fairy.


    A jewel colored butterfly, red wings looking like the inside of a blood orange. It wouldn¡¯t look all that out of place hitching a ride with Aster anywhere she went. If noticed, it would just look like an additional decorative element in one of Aster¡¯s extravagant hair dos.


    ¡°I am sorry we woke you.¡± Prin said. ¡°Valor has been really sick and he just wanted the opportunity to talk to the fairy.¡±


    ¡°You make it sound like I¡¯m dying.¡± Valor said. ¡°Starting to think there¡¯s something I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Prin ignored him. ¡°We also wanted to check on you, with everything that¡¯s been going on. There were these two men who showed up¡ª¡±


    ¡°O-oh those guys got to you too?¡± Aster smirked. ¡°I figured they would be too chickenshit to bother Captain Thompson. Preferring to agitate people further down the societal food chain. So to speak.¡±


    ¡°How did that work out for them?¡± Elwin wanted to know.


    At the same time Prin said. ¡°They agitated us alright.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°Jules is still in a mood. Over the whole ¨C you know.¡± She made a gesture toward Valor as though to say, Little ears and all that.


    Prin, who waffled between whether he considered Valor a child or not, but knew it was too late to shield him from tales of murder and bloodshed, just shrugged.


    Elwin sat down at the foot of the bed, guiding Valor by the hand to sit beside him.


    Valor, who was being rather uncharacteristically quiet and was probably very tired, allowed it.


    ¡°Anyway, so Jules was feeling protective, I guess, and wouldn¡¯t allow me to be interviewed without him present.¡± Aster rolled her eyes. ¡°As if I couldn¡¯t handle those two wannabees.¡±


    Prin couldn¡¯t help but approve of Jules decision. As much as it pained him. But he would never say so. He nodded.


    ¡°My father did something similar.¡± Valor said. ¡°Did they say who sent them?¡± He turned his hand over and back. Seeming distracted by contemplation of the fairy who was sitting in his palm, if only for a second.


    Prin wondered, did it feel like holding the head of a dandelion when it gets all fluffy and white? Or a little heavier than that.


    ¡°Freya has-- had some powerful friends off island.¡± Aster said. ¡°Apparently they were already on their way when she was still just missing.¡±


    Prin leaned closer to Aster¡¯s hair, breathing in the scent of roses and lavender, as well as something faintly chemical. A curl tickled his nose. He wondered if the fairy would get angry, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to stop.


    ¡°Hey, are you trying to kiss me or what?¡± Aster giggled.


    ¡°Whatever I do all I can make out is the wings, and I have pretty sharp eyesight. I think. They look like velvet.¡± And it was true, Prin¡¯s eyelashes practically touched the edge of one tiny jewel toned wing and he still couldn¡¯t make out the body of the creature. He half expected a naked person in perfect miniature, with green skin and glowing eyes. And half expected the efficient, delicate, shiny black body of an insect. Either way he was thwarted.


    It finally occurred to him that it was all by design. ¡°Ah, keep your privacy little bug.¡± He said. ¡°It was rude of me to even try.¡±

 Chapter 93

    ¡°What did the men say to you?¡± Elwin asked. While Prin and Valor were off in lala land with the fairy, Elwin was back down to business.


    Prin guessed he was more concerned with the two investigators then he was a wholly magical being. Under the circumstances.


    ¡°What did they say to me? Oh, all kinds of things I guess.¡± Aster said nonchalantly, as though they were discussing the weather at a picnic. ¡°They asked me if I saw the killer. Or rather, I would say they insisted I saw the killer.


    To which I said, I saw hundreds of people at that party, I¡¯m sure I probably did see the killer.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°Now it¡¯s your job to figure out which one of the hundreds of people it was, not mine.¡±


    ¡°Was that all?¡± Prin asked. He watched the fairy as it slowly opened and closed its wings, the rhythm taking on a soothing cadence like poetry, or pats on the back while you¡¯re falling asleep. But his thoughts were divided, so that he couldn¡¯t enjoy the moment as much as he would have liked. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to really relax.


    ¡°Pretty much. Well, there were some heavy implications that maybe I had something to do with it myself, but that was just a bluff.¡± Aster waved her hand in dismissal. She touched Prin¡¯s cheek and moved her head so that they were looking in each other¡¯s eyes, instead of Prin looking intently at her hair. ¡°More importantly, what did they say to you?¡± Her brown eyes were warm, but intense, concerned but non accusatory.


    Her face was even better up close, and in his quest to escape the power of her gaze, Prin could have counted each individual freckle. Even if it would take a while. He wanted to escape, not Aster, but more like what he had done and what he was. And the two threatening men, of course. ¡°They also implied I had something to do with it.¡± He said softly. It was useless to lie.


    ¡°That is an understatement. They were fixated on him.¡± Valor said, he made a disgusted face to show what he thought about that.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see her that night? I know you went to see her, didn¡¯t I send you myself?¡± Aster giggled. ¡°Of course, I didn¡¯t tell them that. Cops get nothing from me, those¡¯re the rules.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I mean I tried, but she wasn¡¯t . . .¡± Prin trailed off. He suddenly couldn¡¯t remember what he had decided to tell people about that. He almost forgot for a minute that Valor knew the truth and wondered what he had told him.


    Elwin, sensing his troubles diverted the conversation. ¡°Valor had a seizure in the middle of their questioning.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, I don¡¯t even now why it happened.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°The stress maybe.¡± Elwin suggested.


    Valor snorted. ¡°Like I haven¡¯t dealt with stress before.¡±


    Prin felt a puff of air near his face, and turned his head to watch the fairy fly past him and toward Valor. ¡°Hold your hand out again, she¡¯s coming.¡±


    Valor¡¯s eyes widened, startled, and he held his hand out flat in front of him.


    The fairy bypassed his hand and flew to his face. She hovered around his head and chest before landing on the tip of one ear that was exposed between strands of hair.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s checking on you, since we said you were sick.¡± Prin was astonished but he couldn¡¯t think of what else could be happening.


    ¡°Does that mean it knows how to speak our language?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Apparently so.¡± Aster said. ¡°I wonder what I have been saying and doing in front of an audience.¡± She added sheepishly. It seemed to hit harder then before, knowing the creature was intelligent.


    Valor reached one thin, shaky hand high above his head before slowly lowering it toward his ear as though to pat the tiny thing. ¡°Th-thank you for your concern. You needn¡¯t worry about me though.¡± He said, his voice taking on the formal tones meant for polite company. Although Prin highly doubted he ever used them for company.


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    The fairy evaded his careful pat and flew above his hand to land on one finger, like a ring.


    Valor slowly lowered the hand to his lap. ¡°What do I do now?¡± he asked.


    Prin wasn¡¯t sure who he was asking. ¡°If she can understand us, maybe we can communicate after all. Like with a piece of paper?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that little thing could lift a pen.¡± Elwin pointed out, forgetting magic.


    ¡°Hmm, lets see what we can do.¡± Aster, who was really being a good sport about this being up in what to her must be considered the middle of the night, now that she was into it, got up and went to her vanity. She pulled on her thin robe with the flowers and birds, and rummaged in the drawers coming out with a notebook and pen and ink.


    Aster ripped out a sheet of paper, unstoppered the ink, and drew something on the paper with a dramatic flourish. ¡°Okay, just let it dry a minute.¡± She waved the paper over her head, fanning the ink. ¡°So, what do you think of the weather?¡± She offered a teasing grin, all teeth and eyes crinkled at the corners.


    ¡°I hate small talk.¡± Valor moved his hand, like someone playing an invisible piano in slow motion, as the fairy humored him and walked from one finger to the other.


    ¡°Well bully for you!¡± Aster said. ¡°Is he always this insufferable?¡±


    ¡°I think he does it on purpose.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°He¡¯s had a really rough night.¡± Prin offered instead.


    ¡°I have just as much right as anyone else.¡± Valor said. ¡°To be an ass.¡±


    Aster snorted. ¡°I suppose you do.¡± She blew on the sheet of paper. ¡°Okay, this should be good enough. It¡¯s quick drying ink.¡± She sat the piece of paper on the bed. ¡°Look here!¡±


    The paper had a smiling face with the word yes written under it, and a frowning face with the word no.


    ¡°I thought . . . keep it simple, you know? At least at first.¡± Aster said. She pointed at the paper. ¡°See, fairy? Yes, or good, positive.¡± She smiled and nodded. ¡°And No, or bad, negative.¡± She frowned and shook her head.


    Valor lowered his hand, with the fairy bug still riding along, down next to the paper.


    ¡°Where did you come from?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Should I put the alphabet on here so you can spell out words?¡± Aster wanted to know.


    ¡°Can you help Valor? Maybe you have magic or spells that can cure illness?¡± Prin asked. Since she seemed to care about him being ill, it was the top most question on his mind.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± Elwin asked.


    After the rush of all at once questions, the fairy, who had walked onto the piece of paper, stood still, folded wings gradually bleeding color until they turned an off white that matched the paper underneath. She didn¡¯t seem inclined to choose an answer.


    ¡°How is it going to respond to us if we all ask at once?¡± Elwin, always the voice of reason pointed out.


    ¡°Good point, good point.¡± Aster said. ¡°What¡¯s most important? Let¡¯s see . . . What do you want? No.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°I forgot it has to be a yes or no question.¡±


    ¡°I do think your first one was good.¡± Prin said. ¡°What did you say? Can you read? Can you spell out words?¡± Prin looked pointedly down at the fairy as he asked. He supposed it was the best question to ask, if they were to know how specific the communication could get.


    The fairy didn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Should we take that as a no?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s weak with hunger.¡±


    ¡°Can you do magic?¡± Valor asked, hurrying to get his out before anyone else could.


    The fairy walked toward the yes and then, seeming to hesitate, went back to a spot between the yes and no.


    There was a long moment of silence while everyone considered this answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m blind. Someone is going to have to tell me what happened.¡± Valor said, his voice portraying annoyance that he had to once again bring it up. Also, that he was overdo for a nap.


    ¡°She went to a spot in between the yes and the no.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°It must be a tricky question to answer.¡± Valor said. ¡°For instance, she doesn¡¯t know what we mean by magic. Magic has a lot of definitions. I will try to be more specific next time.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Aster said. She leaned back looking at the ceiling, then forward again, pulling up the chair closer to the side of the bed. ¡°Where did you come from, I mean, the rest of us ¨C I assume?¡± She looked around at the others for confirmation. ¡°Have never seen your kind, that we know of. So where ¨C Yes or no, yes or no . . . Did you come from far away?¡±


    The fairy went quickly to the yes on the piece of paper.


    Prin clapped his hands. ¡°Progress! Yes!¡±


    ¡°Ah, were you brought here against your will?¡± Aster asked.


    Prin knew the answer to this one but of course, he couldn¡¯t say.


    The fairy walked around in a circle, staying on the yes.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said again, for Valor¡¯s benefit.


    Aster nodded. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. And, I know the feeling.¡± She scratched her head thoughtfully, the messy red curls already out of control so what did it matter. ¡°Do you know the way home? How to get there?¡±


    The fairy went to the no, then the yes, then back and forth again, walking in a quick manner that seemed agitated.


    ¡°No and yes, and no again. She can¡¯t make up her mind.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Or, she¡¯s not sure.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°You want to go home, though. Don¡¯t you?¡± Aster asked.


    The fairy moved directly over the yes and was still.


    ¡°Yes, she says.¡± Prin said. ¡°And I¡¯ll bet she wants us to help.¡±

 Chapter 94

    The fairy burst into flight, as much as a thing that small can manage it, and flew at Aster.


    Aster¡¯s wide eyes crossed, and her mouth formed into a surprised o, as she tried to track the creature now perched on her nose.


    To her credit, she never moved, remaining as still as one of those people trained to be a professional mannequin. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± She asked.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to leave you. She¡¯s afraid we¡¯re taking her away.¡± Prin said. He couldn¡¯t suppress a little giggle.


    ¡°I think she wants you -specifically- to help her.¡± Elwin said. As an aside to Valor, he added. ¡°The fairy jumped up and flew into Aster¡¯s face to get her attention. It¡¯s now resting on her nose.¡±


    ¡°I wish you wouldn¡¯t.¡± Aster said. ¡°And why me anyway? What do I have to do with any of this?¡±


    ¡°Oh who wouldn¡¯t? You¡¯re very likeable.¡± Prin said, as though that should explain it all, as well as half of everything else that had ever happened in Aster¡¯s life.


    Valor turned toward Elwin. ¡°How can you stand this?¡± He motioned from Aster to Prin. ¡°Thing they¡¯ve got going on between them?¡±


    ¡°Shh, it¡¯s not like that.¡± Elwin scolded. ¡°Don¡¯t be jealous.¡±


    ¡°Is Aster that pretty?¡± Valor said. His lower lip stuck out slightly, the fairy momentarily forgotten under a veil of petty concerns.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said. He put his arm around Valor. ¡°It¡¯s okay to like people, even more than one at a time. It¡¯s okay, you should try it.¡± He laughed again as Valor¡¯s frown deepened. He couldn¡¯t help it, he was just so cute. Like a pouty toddler. Something about this moment was giving him a sense of exhausted euphoria.


    Although it only lasted a precious few seconds before he was jarred out of it by remembering he was a man wanted for murder.


    ¡°About these men, do you think . . . they¡¯ll go away soon?¡± Prin asked. ¡°Back to wherever it was they came from, I mean?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Aster said. ¡°Soon? I don¡¯t know.¡± The fairy flew back to the top of her head. A white flower on a curly red tree, until somehow both gradually and all at once, its color again changed to match. Red as a head full of dyed curls. ¡°It depends on the deep pockets of whoever hired them.¡± Aster added. ¡°And how soon they catch the guy.¡±


    ¡°What if they don¡¯t ever . . . catch them?¡± Prin asked. He realized he wasn¡¯t being cautious enough, but since it was Aster . . . its not like he was afraid Aster would suspect him of anything, just like he would never suspect her. However, only one of them actually did do it. Prin would have to try to remember to not act so guilty of something.


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    ¡°I don¡¯t know bunny, I guess they eventually go back to the mainland and look for the killer there. A lot of those guests went home before people even realized anything was wrong, and the murderer probably escaped with them. If you want my opinion.¡± She laughed. ¡°I mean, who in their right mind would stay on this tiny island after tearing apart someone of prestige like that, you know?¡±


    Elwin exchanged a look with Prin. He didn¡¯t like where this conversation was going and probably wanted Prin to drop it, or steer it in another direction.


    ¡°Someone without the resources to leave.¡± Valor said. ¡°Someone who would have trouble hitching a ride with rich party goers.¡±


    ¡°Not one of them, in other words.¡± Aster said. ¡°Like a member of staff. Interesting. So you¡¯re thinking . . . it may have been payback?¡± Aster flashed a savage grin. ¡°A great opportunity to get back at an employer, or former employer. Who treated you some kind of way. With all the people and chaos around. You know, I did always suspect that she wasn¡¯t a very nice person, when the mask was off.¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°No mask in here, kitten. This is a mask free zone.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°In fact, I¡¯m practically naked. Not that you¡¯d know that.¡±


    ¡°The mask isn¡¯t an item of clothing.¡± Valor said. ¡°As you know.¡±


    ¡°Oh I know, I know. Of course I know.¡± Aster said, waving one dainty hand dismissively. She tilted her head to the side in thought. ¡°There are many masks we wear, not just one. Masks for friends, masks for lovers, masks for . . . work. Masks for your parents. If you¡¯re lucky enough to have the right kind of friends, maybe the one they get is the smallest one of all. Allowing more of your real face to show. And if you have a friend like Prin, you¡¯re lucky enough to know someone with no mask at all. What you see is what you get with this guy, and maybe that¡¯s part of what I like about him.¡± Aster gave Prin a cheesy grin.


    Prin felt so guilty, if only what Aster said was true. How he wished he didn¡¯t have that one big, final, unforgivable secret that no one could know.


    Valor looked on the verge of saying something, but instead just smirked.


    Well, no more people anyway.


    ¡°Aster is a nice person, even the versions of Aster I¡¯ve never met.¡± Prin said. ¡°I feel sure of that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why all the clients are such big fans.¡± Elwin pointed out helpfully.


    Aster laughed. ¡°There¡¯s more to the job then just being nice and looking good. Although it doesn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a mask.¡± Valor declared.


    ¡°Maybe you should get one.¡± Elwin said. ¡°No, really.¡±


    Aster and Prin both burst out laughing, startling the fairy into the air, though she quickly realized nothing was wrong and resettled into her nest.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to take some lessons then.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we can help you with that.¡± Aster winked. She stretched her arms way up over her head. ¡°My lovely boys, I really need to get some sleep. Otherwise I¡¯ll be cranky all night, and it¡¯s re-eally hard to keep the proper mask in place when you¡¯re cranky.¡±


    ¡°Sure! I mean, I¡¯m sorry again for bothering you.¡± Prin stood up, preparing to head for the door.


    ¡°Wait a second. Before you go, maybe you could answer one question for me.¡± Aster said.


    Prin braced himself for a tough one. He knew that Aster was a very smart person, and even though she trusted him (he thought), it was possible that she had noticed or sensed something off and had saved it until now to confront him with.


    ¡°Anything.¡± Prin lied. He didn¡¯t know how he would answer a question about the death of Freya but, he couldn¡¯t tell Aster the truth. Not now.


    Aster pointed to her head. ¡°Just what am I supposed to do with this thing?¡± The tiny fairy waved its wings, as though to say, Yes what are we going to do with me? I¡¯d also like to know.

 Chapter 95

    ¡°Well, you have to take her home obviously!¡± Prin¡¯s chipper voice had a strain to the edge of it that he hoped Aster didn¡¯t notice. He was so relieved that Aster hadn¡¯t ask him about the murder that he was almost giddy again.


    Maybe Aster was still thinking about it but didn¡¯t want to say anything that dark in front of Valor. Prin would just have to keep Valor with him everywhere he went for the rest of his life.


    Aster twisted up her lip on one side. ¡°You¡¯re funny.¡±


    ¡°I think he¡¯s right. Or at least someone has to do it.¡± Valor said. He held out his hand hopefully, flat and still as he could make it. ¡°I wish you would come home with me for a little while. We could always bring you back.¡± When he addressed the fairy his voice was soft and wistful, a boy trying to be sweet with a girl. Who clearly wasn¡¯t accustomed to it.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a very big thingy.¡± Aster said. ¡°How much could it cost to just ship her home? Get a small box, poke a few air holes.¡± Aster suddenly made a face and jumped. ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°Did she sting you!?¡± Prin exclaimed.


    Elwin jumped up and started toward Aster, right before Aster grinned and winked at them.


    ¡°Just kidding.¡± Aster said. ¡°I had you all going though, didn¡¯t I?¡± She laughed.


    Elwin sat back down with a sigh.


    He clearly wasn¡¯t going to say anything, so Prin had to. ¡°Aster . . . you have to be careful. She really is ¨C could be dangerous.¡± He warned. ¡°We don¡¯t know what she¡¯s capable of.¡±


    ¡°Pfft.¡± Aster shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I know. ¡®Cause you aren¡¯t afraid of anything.¡± Prin said. Although he knew it wasn¡¯t true, he figured Valor would like to hear it. It was how he wanted to see himself.


    The fairy showed no signs of giving up her post, so Prin took Valor¡¯s outstretched hand and planted a little kiss on his palm. ¡°It¡¯s no use, the little one has already chosen her person. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s going to leave Aster¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°I could stay here until she gets to know me?¡± Valor suggested. Although his tone was that of a child asking for his third cake from the market stall. Wishful thinking at best.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t bother me any, but I don¡¯t think your father would approve.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°You have a doctor¡¯s appointment this afternoon, remember?¡± Elwin said.


    Valor lowered his hand back to his lap with an air of defeat.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll just be holding on to it.¡± Aster said, voice bemused. ¡°I mean, what other choice do I have? No offense. She¡¯s not bothering me any.¡±


    ¡°When we leave this island, we¡¯ll take the fairy with us.¡± Elwin said seriously.


    ¡°We? WE, we? That sounds nice.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°When will that be?¡± Valor wondered.


    ¡°As soon as we can.¡± Prin answered, not caring to elaborate. He stood up and led Valor along with him to the door.


    Elwin followed, but turned back to Aster, his handsome face creased with concern. ¡°Seriously. Be careful.¡±


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    ¡°I always am.¡± Aster said, by way of a non-answer.


    As they were leaving Mama Kris¡¯s backyard, Prin thought he saw Jules face at the window, skulking around and watching them. He wouldn¡¯t be surprised.


    ¡°We never really figured out what sort of magic the fairy has.¡± Elwin pointed out, as he helped Valor into the waiting carriage.


    ¡°Maybe Aster will learn how to communicate with her. I mean, even better. Or, she might just not trust us enough yet.¡± Prin said.


    Valor settled into his seat, beside Prin and across from Elwin. He sighed like all the spirit was leaving his body along with the expelled air. Or, he was just really tired. He leaned against Prin.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be home soon.¡± Prin put his arm around the thin boy, who seemed frail today after his health scare. He also seemed especially cuddly. Maybe because exhaustion had rendered him unguarded and vulnerable.


    ¡°Just let me know, give me a little notice when you¡¯re leaving.¡± Valor said. ¡°And Aster Rose too? If I understood that correctly.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t stay where she is, it¡¯s no kind of life.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°My father will be just as heartbroken as I am, then.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be melodramatic.¡± Elwin said. Though if you knew him like Prin did, his eyes were concerned.


    Prin patted Valor¡¯s back. ¡°It will all be okay. Papa will find a new friend.¡± Although of course he left it an unspoken truth, that the new Rose would be no match for the original.


    When they got back to the captain¡¯s house, they put Valor right to bed. He didn¡¯t complain, and barely spared the time to take off his shoes before sliding under the covers.


    ¡°It really will be hard on him when we leave.¡± Prin fretted, once he and Elwin were back out in the hallway.


    ¡°Yes. But at the same time it will be just as well. It¡¯s not like we don¡¯t seem to attract a lot of trouble wherever we go.¡± Elwin winced. ¡°And the sooner the better, before he gets even more attached.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think Valor has had any problem attracting his own trouble, before we ever got added to the mix.¡± Prin said. He was a bit offended. As though they weren¡¯t good for Valor, as though he wasn¡¯t trying to help him.


    ¡°Yes but . . . it¡¯s one more thing.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I wish we could get this curse off his back before we leave.¡± Prin said, knowing it was a pipe dream at this point. Today he felt like they were no closer than they had ever been to answers.


    They passed Mrs. Frances¡¯s mouse-like assistant in the hallway. And she whispered something under her breath. Prin thought it was, I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re still here. But he couldn¡¯t be sure. He turned and watched to make sure she wasn¡¯t going into Valor¡¯s room. Maybe it had rubbed off from Elwin, but at this point he did find her weird. In fact it was almost strange he hadn¡¯t noticed it right away.


    Later on the doctor came, looking grim but determined. Bracing himself for the potential onslaught of shoes and knick knacks. Probably.


    Captain Thompson went with him to Valor¡¯s room, and somehow word got around the house, and by the time the doctor was leaving again, Mrs. Frances, Dru, Wrena, Prin, and Elwin had all gathered in the kitchen to see him off.


    The captain walked outside with him and came back a moment later ready to address his audience. ¡°He said he couldn¡¯t find anythin¡¯ particularly wrong but prescribed a vitamin tonic to shore him up.¡±


    ¡°Papa! Of course there¡¯s something wrong!¡± Wrena was giving her father a look like he had personally failed her.


    To his credit he didn¡¯t wilt under it. ¡°Okay, my dove, then you might say he couldn¡¯t find anything. Finding being the word of importance here.¡± He turned to specifically address Prin and Elwin. ¡°Doc said the spell was probably brought on by anxiety and over doing it. Best he can reckon. I¡¯m afraid, as much as Val has enjoyed them, your little outings are going to have to be put on indefinite hiatus.¡±


    In other words, no more field trips. Prin frowned. He didn¡¯t agree, but at the same time didn¡¯t feel like he had any standing to argue.


    ¡°If anything was stressing it was those two freaks that showed up here last night. Not anything these two did.¡± Dru said defensively. So she was pro fresh air and exercise then.


    ¡°I blame myself for that one. And also for the party, which was too overwhelming for him.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Nevertheless, no matter what was the final straw, we have to be careful with our boy. I almost called him baby. To me he is still the baby.¡± The captain looked teary eyed for a moment. ¡°Poor motherless child.¡±


    ¡°Yes! Poor dear. He never stood a chance.¡± Mrs. Frances pulled and twisted her handkerchief between her hands. ¡°I fed that little one with a bottle of goat¡¯s milk every two hours. But it¡¯s no substitution.¡±


    Wrena crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes.


    ¡°We have to look out for him and keep his nerves from being over taxed!¡± Captain Thompson pounded the table with his fist, causing everyone else in the room to jump. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± He said sheepishly. ¡°Do you think we can keep everything calming around here?¡±

 Chapter 96

    ¡°Doctors are useless.¡± Dru said, as though anyone had asked her.


    Wrena elbowed her cousin and shot her a glare.


    ¡°Unless you have a broken leg or something.¡± Dru amended.


    Captain Thompson ignored this very productive comment entirely. ¡°He¡¯s on bed rest for a few days.¡± He said. ¡°If you boys could help me keep him there, and reasonably happy . . . Well, quiet anyway, I would sure appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin cast a look his way. Prin¡¯s eyes were shiny pools of sea. He felt responsible for all of it. Although Elwin wasn¡¯t sure over excitement had anything at all to do with Valor¡¯s illness. And the only one who could keep him quiet and calm would be himself.


    Maybe Dru was right. If only about this one particular thing, ever.


    ¡°We could read to him.¡± Elwin said, trying to school the reluctance out of his voice.


    ¡°Boys and their books.¡± Dru rolled her eyes. ¡°What he needs is fresh air, maybe the beach. And a girlfriend. Or boyfriend, you know, whichever.¡±


    ¡°We tried that.¡± The captain said.


    Wrena spoke, or more like yelled, over her father. ¡°Fresh air isn¡¯t going to cure seizures! What are you, nuts?¡±


    ¡°No, but it might do something for depression.¡± Dru said. ¡°If you¡¯re going to be miserable either way, you might as well be happy!¡±


    ¡°So you can die with a smile on your face!?¡± Wrena exclaimed.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Captain Thompson bellowed. ¡°What did I just say about calm?¡±


    ¡°All of you, be quiet.¡± Mrs. Frances said in a terse tremulous voice. ¡°What if he were to hear you? No one is dying, with a smile or otherwise.¡±


    To Elwin it seemed as though they were all catastrophizing just a bit, but it didn¡¯t seem productive to mention it. So he just looked down at his feet and tried to act contrite. Not that he did anything.


    ¡°Sorry Frances.¡± The captain said it on all of their behalf.


    ¡°We¡¯re all trying our best.¡± Mrs. Frances said gently. ¡°There isn¡¯t much more one can do. After that it¡¯s in the hands of the gods. At least we have a safe haven here in this house.¡±


    ¡°All he¡¯s got in here is cats and dust.¡± Dru muttered under her breath. Truly tempting fate.


    ¡°What did you say about my housekeeping?¡± Mrs. Frances said, in a tone of outraged shock typically reserved for acts of the utmost blasphemy. ¡°You¡¯re on thin ice young lady!¡±


    ¡°No one ever takes anything seriously!¡± Wrena turned around and stomped out of the kitchen. Done with any and all of their bullshit.


    ¡°Alri-iight, none of us have had enough sleep.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Nap time for all. Come on.¡± He ushered the remaining young people out of Mrs. Frances¡¯s kitchen, before they could jeopardize him getting a good supper later by further antagonizing the chef.


    At this rate it would be roofing nails and mud puddle water for sure.


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    Instead of going to their room for a nap, Prin and Elwin headed to Valor¡¯s room. Elwin could tell that Prin was really worried for his friend. As though the collective anxiety of the others had just added to his own, growing the burden.


    Elwin half expected to see Mrs. Frances¡¯s assistant lurking in the shadows, like some kind of ghoul, since she had been notably absent from the kitchen. But no, all was quiet and Valor was alone save for his cats.


    The boy was doll-like nestled among the pillows, his grey night shirt giving his pale skin an even more cadaverous pallor. His hair was tousled in his face, partially obscuring his eyes. A cat was stretched out on each side of him, like matching book ends.


    Maybe Dru was right about the fresh air and sunshine too. A broken clock twice a day and all that.


    ¡°Was the doctor just awful?¡± Prin asked as soon as the door was shut behind them. He had his own decidedly mixed experiences with those of the profession. Negative more often than not.


    Elwin Went to the window and closed the curtain. It had only been open a crack anyway, but he still couldn¡¯t entirely shake the feeling of being watched. The oil lamp would be enough light.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Valor tilted his head as though having just realized he was there. ¡°Oh, Prin. No, he¡¯s okay. Or rather, yes, he¡¯s awful but only in the boring old typical way. He¡¯s just about the only one on the island. I think.¡±


    ¡°How are you?¡± Elwin asked. He really just wanted a casual way to let Valor know he was in the room, in case he hadn¡¯t realized it yet. Before anything may get awkward.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Valor said. ¡°Just tired. I don¡¯t know why everyone¡¯s making a big deal.¡±


    Prin sat down beside him, and the black cat moved to the other side with its sibling to make space. Was Prin another one of Valor¡¯s pets?


    ¡°They¡¯re just worried about you. And love you.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Pfft, sure.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Of course they do.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Do you need anything to eat or drink?¡± Elwin wondered. He sat down beside Prin, causing him to be squished closer to Valor, but he didn¡¯t seem to mind being the middle of the sandwich.


    ¡°No.¡± Valor said. ¡°I¡¯m sure old Frances will see fit to bring a tray soon anyway.¡±


    ¡°You do know everyone loves you and is concerned about you, right?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± Valor said. ¡°We have more important things to discuss anyway.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡± Prin protested.


    Valor rapped on the side of Prin¡¯s head with his knuckles. ¡°Knock knock.¡±


    ¡°Uhhh, who¡¯s there?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re wanted for murder.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Oh right, I forgot.¡± Prin said. His voice sounded like someone ran over his puppy. ¡°It¡¯s bad enough to have the guilt of having done something, but then to be accused of it too? That¡¯s too much.¡± He gave Elwin a watery smile to show that he was joking. Elwin wasn¡¯t so sure.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯ll figure it out.¡± Elwin put his arm around him.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯m trying to say, we have some figuring to do.¡± Valor said. ¡°You really did forget, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°O-ooh, just for a few minutes. It¡¯s okay. It couldn¡¯t last anyway . . .¡± Prin said. ¡°It¡¯s just kind of a gut punch every time my mind gets lifted off of it for just a minute and then it comes crashing back down.¡±


    ¡°Those guys won¡¯t dare come back around here again.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh they will, yes they will.¡± Valor said. ¡°I mean, they won¡¯t make it past the yard unless they want to try their hands at breaking and entering. But they¡¯ll try, is what I mean.¡±


    ¡°I think we could outrun them.¡± Prin said. ¡°How far will they chase us?¡± He gave a woeful laugh. ¡°We know how hard it is to chase someone down once they get a little distance. It¡¯s a big world. We need to get moving anyway, hanging around here isn¡¯t getting me any closer to ¨C¡± Prin lowered his voice, as though he had also got the sense that someone was watching or eavesdropping on them, or just didn¡¯t want to take the chance. ¡°lifting the curse.¡±


    He was scared. Elwin hugged him to his side. ¡°The only question is how.¡±


    ¡°Prin. . . These guys are not you. The two of you are just kids from the boonies who were already days behind when you started and didn¡¯t have any money either, right?¡± Valor said. His hand reached out and he patted around on Prin¡¯s leg until Prin put his hand where he could find it. Valor took his hand and held it a little too tight. Elwin felt him flinch.


    ¡°We¡¯re older than you are.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not my point. My point is these guys have experience and resources, you have no idea, really, how long and how far they would chase you.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Well, hell.¡± Prin said. ¡°What am I supposed to do then?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re only after you because they suspect you. As, far as they know, the last person to have seen her alive.¡± Valor said. ¡°All you have to do is make them suspect someone else.¡± Valor said this with some satisfaction and a little smile, as though he had figured it all out and all Prin and Elwin had to do was thank him.


    ¡°It might be easier just to eat them.¡± Prin said.

 Chapter 97

    ¡°There¡¯s a thought.¡± Valor said. He squeezed Prin¡¯s hand again. ¡°I assume you¡¯ll have to split them up first . . .¡±


    ¡°I was kidding.¡± Prin said dryly. ¡°And now I really hope you are.¡±


    ¡°Right, right, I guess you¡¯re not hungry again yet.¡± Valor nodded. ¡°Not sure it¡¯s the kind of thing where you can force yourself.¡±


    ¡°Val . . .¡± Elwin started. He trailed off, just shaking his head. Secretly amused but not sure if he should show it to Prin.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like something I can just do at will . . .¡± Prin squirmed. His blue eyes widened and he looked to the ceiling as though searching for a celestial rescuer.


    ¡°Alright, alright, back to plan B.¡± Valor said. ¡°Diverting attention from yourself.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about this.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Like how? It would have to be someone who was there, of course . . .¡± Elwin tried to give the idea some real thought. I mean, how many more options did they have?


    ¡°Do we still have the bloody suit jackets?¡± Valor asked, as though having an epiphany. ¡°We could plant them in someone¡¯s closet and then send an anonymous tip. May I volunteer my cousin . . . I don¡¯t think the charges would stick but it would be a good distraction, muddy the waters and all. I wouldn¡¯t worry about her, she could weasel out of anything. You know she¡¯s some kind of grifter, right? I don¡¯t know what she¡¯s trying to do but, she¡¯s not who she says she is . . .¡±


    ¡°Dru wouldn¡¯t do that to you.¡± Elwin said sternly. This kid.


    ¡°I would volunteer myself as the distraction but it just wouldn¡¯t be believable. However . . . maybe?¡± Valor said.


    ¡°No! Absolutely not.¡± Prin said. ¡°I¡¯m not getting an innocent person mixed up in this. Or you. As far as the jackets, they are too distinctive, people might remember who wore them. And the tailors, will certainly know exactly who they sold them too. I hate that such pretty things were ruined, but we should just burn them. I had forgotten all about it until you mentioned them.¡±


    ¡°What if it was someone not so innocent?¡± Elwin¡¯s mind drifted to the creepy Jules and his predatory relationship (or whatever one might call it) with Aster.


    ¡°Like who did you have in mind? No, no, it doesn¡¯t even matter.¡± Prin put his hand to his head.


    ¡°Like Jules. Creepy, well connected with murderous thugs, seems to spend too much time bothering Aster. So it would be two birds with one stone, getting him away from Aster.¡± Elwin wasn¡¯t sure he had properly thought this out but he was definitely the first person who came to mind.


    ¡°He was probably with Mama Kris all evening, and she was friends with Freya, right? I think.¡± Prin shook his head. ¡°This is a bad idea.¡± He turned to Valor and held his hand to his cheek, nuzzling it. ¡°It was a good idea, I didn¡¯t mean that. It¡¯s just . . .¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too soft hearted to pull it off? I know.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not really practical either. I think an attempt like that to throw them off the scent would be . . . too obvious.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Harumph.¡± Valor said.


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    Uh oh, he had insulted the little lord.


    Before he had figured out what to say, Mrs. Frances bustled into the room holding a heavy over burdened tray. Sure enough she couldn¡¯t stay away for long.


    She sat the tray down on the side table.


    ¡°I figured you boys would be here.¡± She said. ¡°I brought tea and all manner of snacks and soup broth. And those little cakes you like, dear one, I had them sent over from the bakery since I didn¡¯t have time yet to bake.¡±


    Prin gave Valor a nudge with his elbow.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Valor said, after the prompting.


    ¡°We appreciate you included us.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Oh, no problem at all.¡± Mrs. Frances beamed at her boys and unexpectedly reached out and tousled Elwin¡¯s hair. ¡°You sweet thing.¡± She turned back towards the door. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to your chatting then, just make sure he gets some rest.¡±


    ¡°Ah, wait.¡± Elwin said awkwardly. ¡°Can I ask, if you don¡¯t mind, where is . . . your assistant?¡± He realized he didn¡¯t know what to call her and wondered if he had been told and quickly forgotten, or if no one had seen fit to tell him in the first place.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Mrs. Frances looked back at him over her shoulder. ¡°Her? It¡¯s her day off I guess.¡± She laughed lightly.


    ¡°What¡¯s her name?¡± Elwin wanted to know.


    ¡°You know, I don¡¯t rightly recall? Strange, that.¡± Mrs. Frances said. ¡°I never can remember the girl¡¯s name properly. She isn¡¯t really very memorable, is she? Poor thing. Or maybe I¡¯m just losing it a little in my dotage.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not old.¡± Valor said. ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡±


    ¡°Of course not, angel.¡± Mrs. Frances laughed again, sounding rather girlish in the moment. ¡°I¡¯ll come and check up again after while. Best be getting back to work.¡± She left the room in a bustle of aprons and voluminous old fashioned skirts.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know her own assistant¡¯s name?¡± Prin asked, seeming incredulous at this.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it Claire? Or was that someone else.¡± Valor said. ¡°Maybe Celeste.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe we¡¯ve ever actually been introduced.¡± Prin said. ¡°Have we Elwin?¡±


    Elwin threw his hands in the air. ¡°I have no idea.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the girl you thought was poisoning me?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Do you have any more servants?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°No.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Then yes.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Pass me one of those cakes.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Which one?¡± The tiny square and round cakes looked as though they would be perfectly suited to a doll baby tea party, with their colorful frosting and sugared flowers, candy ribbons, and chocolate chip polka dots. They were piled high on a silver plate, under a clear glass dome. Each one no more then two inches across.


    Elwin lifted the dome and Prin leaned over him to get a better look.


    ¡°So pretty!¡± Prin said.


    ¡°The one that tastes like first kisses and cream cheese.¡± Valor said, deadpan as ever.


    Elwin picked up a perfectly pink cake with a rose petal on top that smelled of strawberry cheesecake. Did first kisses taste like strawberry? He wordlessly put it in Valor¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Valor sniffed it, then popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly and luxuriantly. His eyelids fluttered closed. After he had finally swallowed it he said, ¡°Nope. That wasn¡¯t the one.¡±


    ¡°Can I have one?¡± Prin asked. His eyes shined with the momentary distraction of an unnaturally lovely dessert. A human invention, surely.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to ask me that, of course.¡± Valor said, looking vaguely insulted.


    Prin¡¯s hand hovered over the selection and he plucked out one with the tart nose tickling aroma of citrus and a curl of candied orange peel. ¡°Yuumm!¡± He said, before even eating it. He bit the cake in half and chewed thoughtfully. ¡°Ah, this is it. I just ate the first kiss and cheese cake and it was the last one. Oops!¡± He teased gleefully.


    Valor leaned into him and reached up to give his face a gentle faux slap. ¡°How. Very. Dare. Let me at least smell your breath.¡± He angled his face towards Prin¡¯s getting close enough to kiss.


    Prin¡¯s eyes grew wide but he didn¡¯t move, letting whatever happened happen.


    Valor kissed him. It was a dainty peck of a kiss, he knew better then to push it too far, to try and make it linger.


    ¡°No, that one isn¡¯t it either.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°This is too much right in front of my face.¡± Elwin said mildly. But he couldn¡¯t work up any anger toward the sick boy. Even if he did push his luck.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t care if Aster did it.¡± Valor stuck out his tongue.


    ¡°I¡¯m eating this cake that tastes like . . . chocolate and sweet dreams, and no one is going to stop me.¡± Elwin said petulantly. He picked up the little cake dotted with chocolate chips and sugared violets.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good choice, one of my favorites.¡± Valor said, as though he knew exactly which one Elwin was talking about.

 Chapter 98

    Prin and Elwin eventually drifted back to their own room toward evening, once Valor was settled and asleep.


    ¡°Is this a little preview of what it would be like to have a baby?¡± Elwin wondered.


    Prin laughed, the sound sleepy and muted, he had a long day. ¡°He¡¯s not a baby.¡±


    ¡°Clearly.¡± Elwin said dryly. ¡°I think . . . since he knows we¡¯re leaving soon he feels like he has to take his shot with you.¡±


    ¡°That little kiss? It was nothing.¡± Prin said dismissively.


    ¡°He¡¯s trying to think of anything he can to keep us from leaving.¡± Elwin sat on the edge of the bed and took off his boots. There was a hole forming in the corner of one long sock and he wiggled his big toe through it. When they went on the road again they would be truly on their own, no one to darn a sock. Maybe he should ask Mrs. Frances to do it?


    Well, alone together of course. He supposed he could learn to mend his own socks. Or just go feral and sockless eventually, like a wild thing.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be hard, going on the road again.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And we¡¯re going to have to get on another boat.¡±


    ¡°Well . . . unless we fly. It is an island.¡± Prin said wryly.


    ¡°If only we could.¡± Elwin said. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t be here right now. . .¡±


    ¡°Do you think we would have found her by now? As the crow flies.¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°Depends if she¡¯s hiding. Or just going about her business.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Why would she hide? I doubt she¡¯s scared of us.¡± Prin said with a chuckle.


    ¡°Or even knows we¡¯re after her.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°She might. She probably knows a lot.¡± Prin said softly. ¡°But we still don¡¯t know why she did it.¡±


    ¡°More importantly than that . . . How are you going to get her to reverse it? If we even find her that is.¡± Elwin asked.


    Prin, who had been laying on the bed like a puppet with cut strings, sprung to life, sitting up abruptly. ¡°Don¡¯t even say that! Of course we¡¯ll find her, because we have to! And if we don¡¯t find her, we will find an even stronger witch or magic user who can go over her head and remove the curse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin said.


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    Prin sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll say to her to get her to take it back, but I¡¯ll figure it out when the time comes. For now lets just concentrate on going forward.¡±


    ¡°Getting off the island.¡± Elwin said. ¡°With Aster.¡±


    ¡°Yes, with Aster. And the little fairy too.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°That one is very portable, at least.¡± Elwin said agreeably. ¡°Let¡¯s take that nap, okay? We need to recharge our batteries.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Prin nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can sleep.¡± He took off his shoes and outer layer of clothes.


    ¡°You can, I believe in you.¡± Elwin pulled him down next to him on the bed. ¡°Just for a little while. Then we can go check on Valor again and make sure the maid isn¡¯t trying to kill him.¡±


    Prin let out a short little laugh, as though he had been trying to suppress it. ¡°Okay.¡± He relaxed into the bed, pulling Elwin¡¯s arm around him and leaning into him. ¡°What would I do without you?¡±


    ¡°Anything you wanted.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s me who . . .¡± Would be lost. He added silently to himself, feeling Prin¡¯s breathing rhythmic and relaxed. He was already half asleep.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we met a real fairy.¡± Prin said drowsily. ¡°I wish I could have enjoyed being in the moment with her more, instead of having all this darkness on my mind.¡±


    ¡°I think you do a pretty good job being, just being.¡± Elwin whispered. He hoped they would fall asleep soon, they both needed it.


    ¡°You think?¡± Prin asked.


    Elwin fell asleep before he had a chance to answer. No matter how stressful things got, he could always sleep better when he at least knew Prin was beside him, in his arms even, so he would know if he got up. All might not be right with the world, but at least this one thing was.


    ¡°Wake up! Wake up!¡±


    Elwin woke to being roughly shaken, and Prin¡¯s anxious face leaning over his.


    Fearing the worst, he shook off his dreams like soft rags and tried to prepare himself. ¡°What happened? Is it Valor . . ?¡±


    ¡°What? No, no.¡± Prin said. He chewed his lower lip. ¡°I had a terrible thought.¡±


    ¡°O-oh, is that all?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°Happens to me all the time.¡±


    ¡°No seriously.¡± Prin said. ¡°Please tell me, tell me something. Tell me this could never happen.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Elwin asked. He wondered if Prin had a bad dream.


    ¡°If Aster is talking to the fairy right now, maybe she figured out how?¡± Prin said anxiously.


    ¡°Yeah? That would be good. We can find out where she came from.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°No! It¡¯s not good. What if she tells Aster that I killed Freya?¡± Prin asked.


    He forgot to lower his voice, and Elwin looked around anxiously. There were a lot of eyes and ears in this house. He had already been afraid they were speaking too freely about it. ¡°Shh, shh, don¡¯t say that.¡± Elwin whispered. ¡°What do you mean? No, no, that won¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Prin asked. ¡°The fairy likes Aster, wouldn¡¯t she think it¡¯s relevant information? And I already thought of the whole, maybe she doesn¡¯t have our kind of intelligence, but she was able to answer the questions. Well sort of . . . but still.¡±


    ¡°I think . . . the fairy doesn¡¯t act like she believes you¡¯re dangerous, right?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°She even hitched a ride with you, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°But then left me as soon as possible!¡± Prin pointed out.


    ¡°She probably sees you as her rescuer.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And thinks the killing was justified.¡±


    ¡°You think so? But, that doesn¡¯t mean she won¡¯t tell Aster . . .¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Unless, Aster never asks.¡± Elwin said. ¡°And she wouldn¡¯t believe a dumb old fairy over you anyway.¡± He hoped this was working, because he wasn¡¯t at all as confident as he pretended to be.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Even if she did wonder if it was true. Aster would ask you before anything else, right? Right.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Elwin, we¡¯re talking about a brutal murder.¡± Prin said. ¡°She might be scared to ask me about it.¡±

 Chapter 99

    ¡°What time is it?¡± Prin asked. He climbed roughly over Elwin, although he could have gotten out of bed on his own side.


    It was dark in the room.


    ¡°Nighttime.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    When Prin had gotten off the bed and turned back to face Elwin, his eyes must have caught a little sliver of light from somewhere. They glowed like the steel blue tips of fire. ¡°I have to go.¡± He said. ¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°Wait, put on the light.¡± Elwin said, still groggy, his mind barely grasping what was happening. ¡°Wait.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, you stay here and look after Valor.¡± Prin said. ¡°I have to go see Aster.¡±


    Elwin reached out and grabbed the hem of Prin¡¯s nightshirt. ¡°What will you even say?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll figure it out when I get there.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Hang on.¡± Elwin sat up and reached out for the candle holder on the nightstand. Prin was getting further away, the cotton fabric stretching between them like a spider¡¯s web. ¡°I said, hang on!¡±


    Prin stopped, probably stunned that Elwin had yelled.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t even dressed.¡± Elwin said sheepishly.


    ¡°Oh. Right.¡± Prin took the candle from him and lit it, setting it back down. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s late now?¡±


    ¡°Not very.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Prin pulled on his pants, hopping on one leg to get them on. ¡°S¡¯okay.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to go see Aster right now.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Stop that.¡± He reached out and took the shirt out of Prin¡¯s hands. ¡°Everything is fine. I highly doubt Aster has learned to talk to the fairy in just a few hours. And wasn¡¯t she going back to bed after we left, anyway?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess so . . .¡± Prin flumped back down on the bed, deflated.


    ¡°Do you really want to bother her again? It¡¯s a bit soon.¡± Elwin wheedled. In truth, he was tired and didn¡¯t feel like he could let Prin run off by himself. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to bed for a while, then maybe tomorrow. . .¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to just be annoying for no reason.¡± Prin said.


    Elwin sat up and pulled him close, stroking his hair. ¡°It¡¯s not for no reason. It¡¯s understandable. Just a little much maybe? I would tell you if I thought it was necessary.¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine, I give up.¡± Prin leaned back against Elwin, allowing himself to be cuddled. He sighed. ¡°Poor Aster.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say that?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Oh, just, it¡¯s a lot to deal with me. Wasn¡¯t there enough chaos in her life already? And then I come along . . . trailing my curse behind me like an ugly puppy dog.¡± Prin said.


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    Elwin tried to stop himself but couldn¡¯t help letting out a laugh at the image. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s not funny. Sweetheart, Aster is so glad to have met you. Everyone who meets you loves you.¡±


    ¡°Pfft. If only they knew.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Valor knows and he still loves you.¡± Elwin said wryly. ¡°Maybe more than ever.¡±


    Prin snorted. ¡°Oh don¡¯t start that again.¡±


    *


    ¡°You killed her, didn¡¯t you? And others.¡± Aster loomed over him, close enough to count the freckles. Her expression was ominously blank. ¡°I thought at first it must have been self-defense. But no, you were just hungry.¡± Here her face changed to a wide grin, her voice taunting.


    ¡°What? No. She was attacking me. I don¡¯t even know why.¡± Prin protested. ¡°And the one before that, he deserved to die. As for the first . . .¡± He put his hands up, as though afraid Aster would land a punch with her small fist and give him a black eye. She was stronger than she looked. Small but mighty.


    ¡°You¡¯re not even going to ask me how I knew?¡± Aster said. ¡°She told me.¡± She cocked her thumb to the side.


    The fairy was hovering in the air beside Aster. Only this time she was big, the size of a human baby. She even looked like a baby, with the fat, round, how can this be staying in the air proportions of a bumblebee.


    Her body looked like the segmented smooth green caterpillar Elwin had brought from the garden to show him when they were kids. With three sets of black eyes. Impossible big and mirror shiny.


    The fairy opened a mouth full of sharp thorn teeth and spoke, but it was a bizarre sound, and Prin couldn¡¯t understand a word of it.


    Aster laughed. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought too.¡± She said to the fairy. ¡°He¡¯s just a coward, too weak to take himself out.¡± She shook her head, tossing around those springy red curls.


    Prin felt like crying, this is just like what he thought would happen. Well, minus, the appearance of the fairy, which was a horror straight from the fairytale pages of the book on curses.


    ¡°Is that what you really think I should have done?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you think you should have done?¡± Aster crossed her hands over her chest. ¡°Along with anyone else who has any sense. It doesn¡¯t matter what I think.¡±


    The fairy spoke again. Like a kitten mewling from under water. Like the horrible clang of an axe hitting rusted metal.


    ¡°Maybe we should help him out?¡± Aster translated. ¡°There¡¯s a thought.¡± She grinned again. ¡°That would make us heroes. We would get medals from the mayor!¡± She held her finger up in the air in triumph. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know though, I mean unlike so-oome people, I¡¯m not sure I have it in me to kill.¡±


    The fairy came forward, closer to Prin. It reminded him of a rotten fruit, hanging from a lightning struck tree.


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯ll do it yourself?¡± Aster asked the fairy. ¡°Thanks! You should be grateful too, Prin. This saves you from consuming everyone you love, isn¡¯t that nice?¡±


    ¡°No! Aster, I love you!¡± Prin protested holding his hands in front of his face.


    ¡°You should have thought of that before you gave in to your horrible appetites.¡± Aster shook her head. ¡°Whelp, too late now!¡±


    Prin screamed, more of broken heart than fear of death. Since in a way, he knew she was right. He squeezed his eyes closed as he waited for the blow.


    ¡°This. Is. Pathetic.¡± A voice said. It was a masculine voice, but with a melodic quality. Far away and near. Somehow familiar.


    When the blow didn¡¯t come, Prin slowly opened his eyes.


    He was back in a cold place surrounded by crumbling stone walls. Was this the vulture? He never planned on going back there again, yet here he was.


    ¡°You have to stop being like this. It¡¯s embarrassing to us both.¡± The voice said.


    Prin turned around and gasped.


    Someone was sitting in a gilt wood throne with gargoyles carved into each arm. The room was otherwise empty and dark, with light like a spotlight shining on the man.


    It was Prin, older and with longer hair . . . but, the jolt of recognition was impossible to deny.


    This Prin¡¯s long curls spilled over the shoulders of his red velvet jacket. His eyes knew too many things. Things that Prin could never imagine himself knowing. But the shape and color where the ones from a mirror. He waved a hand, shining with rings at Prin. On top of his elegant head was a gold crown. ¡°Hello.¡± He said.

 Chapter 100

    ¡°Hello?¡± Prin responded to his reflection. Although if this was him, he couldn¡¯t see any real point in talking to each other.


    ¡°You seem a little lost.¡± Mirror Prin said.


    ¡°I am.¡± Prin admitted.


    ¡°Come closer.¡± The reflection Prin said, beckoning.


    Prin stepped closer to his doppelganger. After all, what could he have to fear from . . . himself?


    A black velvet cushion appeared at the base of the throne, and Prin sat down on it. Maybe he had been supposed to kneel. Hopefully it was enough to be looking up at him, like a child about to take part in the wisdom of a master.


    The other Prin smiled, though it was not a kindly look. ¡°Now, tell me why you waste so much of your time and energy worrying about these . . . people who don¡¯t matter in the slightest. Their health, their well being, what they think of you, and all of that. It¡¯s a minefield of anxiety up there and what do you gain from it?¡± He tapped the side of his head.


    He was almost mesmerizingly pretty, his skin pale as milk and just as flawless, his lips tinged berry-red and forming each word in the most precise and showman like manner.


    Did Prin actually look anything like this? Where were the knobby knees and gangly limbs ready to trip over themselves, the fly away hair, eyes too big for his face? He bet this mirror Prin never had a bad hair day because of humidity.


    ¡°Aster matters.¡± Prin said. ¡°All my friends matter to me.¡±


    ¡°Sure they do.¡± Other Prin said. ¡°As lunch.¡±  He laughed in Prin¡¯s face.


    ¡°Are you from the future?¡± Prin asked. He was afraid this vision would pop like a bubble any moment and he had to ask. Was this real? Was he real?


    Other Prin shrugged, and even that was elegant. ¡°Maybe so, maybe not. I guess that all depends on you.¡±


    ¡°Or, are you the cursed me.¡± Prin had an awful thought. This was the hungry one, the one who took over when he had to fade back and get out of the way.


    ¡°I¡¯m you. You are the cursed one.¡± Hungry Prin said. ¡°You are the hungry one.¡±


    ¡°Oh . . . right.¡± Prin hoped the bubble would burst soon and send him away from here.


    ¡°Anyway, this isn¡¯t what I came to talk to you about.¡± His mirror self said. ¡°But you can¡¯t pursue power until you drop the dead weight.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want power.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Other Prin rolled his eyes, two blue planets trying to crash into his eyebrows. ¡°I ¨C you ¨C just wanted to say that if you stop focusing on unimportant things and running around like a chicken with its head chopped off, you could smell out the witch right under your nose. Just a little friendly advice. From you to you.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean!? Where?¡± Prin stood up quickly.


    ¡°Right here in this house. You know which one.¡± Mirror Prin said. ¡°She has been slipping up lately, making herself obvious.¡±


    And of course, he must know, Prin reasoned.


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    ¡°Not that you will get much out of her, low level thing that she is.¡± The Prin on the throne crossed his legs and leaned his head on one bejeweled hand. ¡°If you do away with her, things will go much better for one of your little friends. See, some curses are weaker than others, they will fade with time and have to be helped along. Not yours though.¡± He laughed again, a musical sound, custom designed for wicked delight. ¡°Some get stronger. Especially when you feed them.¡±


    Prin woke up with the sweaty sheet wrapped around him like a large snake. And something he had heard, he thought, in the transition, from far away as though they were moving in opposite directions, the other him called out ¡°Watch out for fairies, nasty creatures.¡± Or something like that. And he would certainly take it under advisement.


    Prin kicked his way free of the bedding. To his right, Elwin barely stirred, deep in slumber. Prin had a stab of jealousy for that deep, restorative looking sleep.


    He knew he had been dreaming but couldn¡¯t shake that he had really been speaking to someone. A separate entity wearing his face? Or truly a different him from a different time and place.


    He did recognize that the dream of Aster and the bug-fairy had been purely invented by his own anxiety. Thank the gods.


    ¡°There¡¯s a witch here, in this house.¡± Prin wriggled his nose, as though expecting to actually smell the witch. All he could smell was his own sweat.


    But he knew who it was. Like a veil had been lifted, his vision was now clear, and he was amazed it took him so long. She wasn¡¯t exactly subtle. Had she used magic to cloak her presence?


    It didn¡¯t matter because whatever she had done, it wouldn¡¯t work anymore.


    Prin stood up quickly, still half dressed from before, he put on his shirt and shoes. There was something telling him he may need to be dressed and ready to give chase. He wasn¡¯t a terribly accomplished runner, but he would do his best.


    Prin hurried away, leaving Elwin behind him. The thought flitted briefly through his head that it would be nice to have an Elwin along for whatever was to come next, but he didn¡¯t have time for explanations and convincing.


    He went toward Valor¡¯s room, and the closer he got, the closer he got to the witch. He could feel her now, more than a smell, it was a presence. But he sniffed the air anyway and almost felt like it helped.


    The rest of the household was oh so quiet, almost as though in a drugged sleep. Prin didn¡¯t feel the least bit tired.


    At Valor¡¯s door it took everything in him not to burst through the heavy wood and run to his friend. But something told him to stop, use caution. He wasn¡¯t afraid, although maybe he should have been. The feeling of the dream, heavy and surreal, still seemed to fill the air around him like the miasma of an old churchyard at midnight. Gravestones bent and crumbling.


    He had to shake his head to come back to reality. Well, what do we do now?


    Quiet. Spy.


    Prin put his ear to the door. There were voices inside, and other sounds. It was hard to make out anything precise through the intentionally noise dampening door.


    He turned the doorknob, painfully slow, and pushed the door open, a mouse¡¯s foot print at a time. When at last he had a good crack to see and hear through, he looked. Although his senses had all they could handle to try and interpret the scene in front of him.


    A curl of smoke slid out, riding a breeze through the door¡¯s crack. The smoke came from a burner on a low table in the center of the room, out from the table radiated spokes of chalk symbols decorating the wood floor.


    And rising from the fragrantly smoking burner, a multitude of voices. And the smoke itself, taking the form of a gesturing hand here, the ghost of a face there.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s speak of old business first¡± ¡°Where is that one eyed snake you owe me?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s going to water my plants?¡± ¡°And I told the old dog, he had better never touch me again!¡± ¡°There is vinegar in the recipe, is there not?¡± ¡°A dreadful storm next moon-day, a perfect time for catching lightning.¡± ¡°Have you seen my good tablecloth? I lent it to you, I think.¡±


    Aside from the cacophony of overlapping voices, Prin heard piteous mewling. There was an overturned crate with a heavy stack of books on top, and familiar soot black paws swatting and clawing through the slats, desperate to return to their poor master and offer what protection they could.


    Valor himself was laying in his bed, a still, boy shaped lump. Asleep and hopefully unaware of what went on around him. Clearly in no shape to move or wake without being released from some spell or drug. Otherwise, even Elwin couldn¡¯t sleep through this noise.


    Presiding over this entire mess, like the conductor of an orchestra for the insane, was the serving girl. The one with the name no one could remember, the face that was entirely unnoticeable, the presence that you barely felt enter or leave a room.


    It should come as no surprise. She could have been anyone at all.

 Chapter 101

    ¡°Sisters, please!¡± Mrs. France¡¯s assistant pleaded. Her back was to the door where Prin hid, and she sat cross legged on the floor while speaking to her phantom audience. ¡°I called this meeting because I need urgent advice!¡±


    ¡°The rest of us have problems too.¡± A grumpy old voice proclaimed.


    ¡°The youth should wait their turn.¡± Another agreed.


    ¡°I have a household held captive, just for this . . .¡± The serving girl said. ¡°I¡¯m having difficulties ¨C¡±


    ¡°Oh please, that¡¯s nothing! I could do that in my sleep.¡± One of the old women interrupted. ¡°I might be holding a whole village captive as we speak, you don¡¯t know!¡±


    A smooth voice, with quiet authority broke in over the noise of the others arguing, the cats yowling, the beginnings of a rainstorm outside. ¡°While it¡¯s true that Lissabet is the apprentice and should not disrespect her elders, as her elders it is our duty to hear her out and help her. Is it not?¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡± ¡°Harumph.¡± ¡°If you say so.¡± ¡°I never said it wasn¡¯t! Poor lass.¡± ¡°Where is my snake!?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hear her out.¡±


    The voices overlapped again in a cacophony, but seemed to be by and large in agreement.


    At least now Prin knew her name. He felt that it was important somehow, to be able to name a thing, or a person, properly. There was power in it.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Lissabet said. ¡°I know my task is of the lowest order . . . something even I should be able to achieve, and I have been doing it up until now but, it has become more difficult. There is interference . . . Let me ask my sisters, who are so much older and wiser and more cunning than myself, is there ever a point where we let it run its course? Where vengeance is . . . complete? Or, complete enough.¡±


    A collective gasp rose up through the smoke people, and they swirled together in a plume of outraged fervor. Now, they were all in agreement.


    ¡°We are never tired of revenge!¡± ¡°You just want to quit when it gets difficult.¡± ¡°Abandon our sister who has passed?¡± ¡°Vengeance until the end of days!¡± ¡°We¡¯d do it for you, wouldn¡¯t we?¡± ¡°The curse had no ending date.¡± ¡°What about our reputation?¡±


    Once again a calm voice rose above the furies. ¡°I think what they¡¯re trying to say is, what can we do to help?¡±


    The girl breathed out a low sigh. ¡°Let me tell you, there are circumstances.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t hear you.¡± ¡°Speak up!¡±


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    She cleared her throat and continued. ¡°In the past I haven¡¯t had any trouble getting rid of those who come to close, but the two men, just boys really, who came here recently . . . I don¡¯t know how to do it.¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t run them off just kill them!¡± ¡°It¡¯s the easiest thing to do.¡± ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Not like I didn¡¯t think of that!¡± The apprentice witch snapped. ¡°No. I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have, I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s just . . . they reek of a nameless old magic.¡±


    A moment of stunned silence from the peanut gallery followed.


    Prin was glad he didn¡¯t just burst in. This could be informative in ways he wouldn¡¯t have imagined.


    ¡°Hiding themselves from you.¡± ¡°Hiding their true selves.¡± ¡°Witches!¡± ¡°Could it be a rival coven?¡± ¡°Dirty sun worshippers, maybe.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t think so.¡± The girl said. ¡°Perhaps not entirely human. But I¡¯m not sure how much they even know it themselves. It¡¯s like contamination. And they seem awfully taken in by the blind boy.¡± She said that as though she couldn¡¯t even speak Valor¡¯s name without gagging, and so had to take pains to avoid it. ¡°They may even be some kind of sleeper agents sent here to protect him without even knowing it.¡±


    ¡°That seems a bit far fetched, dear.¡± One of the voices said in a kind, if somewhat condescending tone. ¡°Could they also be preying on that horrible family? And see you as a rival.¡±


    ¡°Their guards were down around me until recently. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re on to me.¡± The girl said. ¡°I just don¡¯t know how to get them out of my way, so that I can continue perpetuating the curse. They¡¯re always hanging around him. And they surely will know me for my truth if this . . . dance continues much longer. Yet I¡¯m afraid to blatantly cross them, because of the magic. I feel like it wouldn¡¯t end well for me.¡±


    ¡°Afraid?¡± ¡°Coward!¡± ¡°They can¡¯t be stronger than our coven!¡± ¡°Stop, she¡¯s just a young girl.¡± ¡°What kind of old magic can it be, perhaps she should provoke them and find out?¡± ¡°Lissabet should rather return to us for further training. She clearly wasn¡¯t ready.¡± ¡°Young fool.¡± ¡°Incompetent.¡±


    ¡°They may have killed a fellow witch already. Although I¡¯m not sure if she really was one, as I never got close enough to her to sniff her out.¡± Lissabet said. ¡°Though perhaps not . . . they may not be the ones.¡±


    ¡°Dangerous then?¡± ¡°How are we to know.¡± ¡°What if we ask them who they are?¡± ¡°The cover will be blown, dingbat!¡± ¡°I know that, harumph. I meant what if it was already?¡± ¡°This is all too much three months before my birthday.¡± ¡°We have other things to plan and carry out.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps our youngest sister is right after all.¡± The smooth even voice, as calming as a shade tree in a meadow, said. ¡°And it is time to end our obligation to feed the curse.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean it?¡± The girl asked. ¡°As vile as he is, perhaps fifteen years is suffering enough.¡±


    ¡°Fifteen is a mere pittance.¡± ¡°I have gone that long without changing my dress, it is nothing.¡± ¡°But how can we end it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not nearly long enough.¡± ¡°If not a snake, then I would settle for a two headed lizard. If that might be more agreeable.¡±


    ¡°The boy is not the real recipient of the curse, merely the conduit.¡± The head witch continued. ¡°The old man, red beard, he will never have another son.¡±


    There was snickering, and murmurs of agreement from the smoke people. ¡°Never.¡± ¡°Never.¡± ¡°He wouldn¡¯t risk it.¡± ¡°You got that right.¡±


    ¡°I know you were strictly instructed not to let the boy die.¡± The head witch said. ¡°But I revoke my previous instructions.¡±


    ¡°You mean?¡± The apprentice asked, her voice disbelieving.


    ¡°Yes, you may end the curse, and thus your obligation to stay in a dangerous environment and nurse it along. You have paid your dues, my dear. Done a tedious chore on behalf of the coven. End the curse, kill the son.¡±

 Chapter 102

    It was Prin¡¯s turn to gasp. He had forgotten he was watching real life play out, and not some sort of dramatic play. Real life with real stakes.


    Luckily for him, in the moment, the sounds inside the room were loud enough that no one seemed to hear his sharp intake of breath.


    He readied himself to burst in if the witch-girl made a move toward Valor. But at the same time he held himself back, hoping the others would leave first. It seemed doubtful, for sure, but who knew if they could come through the smoke and the fire, from whatever far flung continents they may be on. Then, he would be terribly outnumbered.


    The witches began to argue and protest among themselves, but soon enough they had come around to the idea and began to discuss how it should be done.


    Poisoning, stabbing, drowning, smothering, being pushed in front of a carriage, thrown off a cliff, abandoned in the woods to die, and others were all floated as possibilities.


    Prin could feel his blood pressure rising until he began to shake all over like he was running a high temperature.


    Kill her. As soon as the others go. Kill her.


    Prin shook his head, but it¡¯s not as though he could fling the voice away out through his ears by doing so.


    He wasn¡¯t sure what he planned to do, except keep her away from Valor.


    Whatever it takes.


    Prin¡¯s vision began to blur, he wondered if the person-filled smoke was getting to him. He looked away from the fire, watching his sleeping friend. Anger filled him up, just as the smoke filled his vision. What had Valor ever done to deserve this? This hideous fate? Fifteen years of suffering, not even allowed a friend in the world, as such a person may come between the unfortunate and the curse. Even his eyesight had been taken from him, probably as a result of the curse.


    Just to punish his father? Who reacted poorly, or not ideally in any case, to a bad situation that he otherwise had in no way caused?


    Prin clinched his fist until it hurt, purposely digging his fingernails into the palm of his hand. He could feel himself shifting, flittering away. It was the first time he had consciously felt it. He thought? Or it seemed to be happening in slow motion, it seemed to be something he could resist. But he was like a fish fighting on the end of a strong piece of line, being pulled in by an experienced angler, the hook firmly embedded. Nothing he could do but wear himself out until he was drug into the net.


    The witches of the fire said their goodbyes, seeming in good cheer to get this done with and move on to other things. They were confident that Lissabet could finish the job. Doing a bit prematurely what the curse was bound to do eventually.


    But didn¡¯t this mean that the curse would stop if she wasn¡¯t there to ¡°improve¡± it, to strengthen it?


    Not yours though, not yours, the laughing voice told Prin. Your - Our curse is of an entirely different type.


    The burner was extinguished, and the girl, remembering that she did work in this house, or in any case destroying the evidence, went around with a wet sponge and wiped up the chalk symbols.


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    When she turned back towards the door, Prin thought for sure he would be spotted, but no, not yet anyway.


    The girl had a grim look on her face. A face that was nothing like how Prin remembered it. Her eyes were intelligent and dark, her features almost pretty. It seemed the mousey appearance was camouflage of some sort. Was this something all witches could do? A minor form of shape shifting? Or something more basic?


    Prin stood still, he was still angry, waging an internal battle that he wasn¡¯t sure he could win. But he was also curious. Here was a witch in the flesh, a young witch. Maybe not much older than himself? Potentially full of answers to questions he hadn¡¯t even thought to ask.


    Lissabet finished cleaning up, and walked toward the bed. She drew back for a moment, then, seeming to steel herself for the unpleasant task, went forward again with more determination. She looked around herself. It probably wouldn¡¯t be much longer that the household was affected by whatever had knocked them out.


    The kitties underneath the crate began to yowl and bang around even more when she stopped to cast her eyes in their direction.


    The girl picked up a pillow off Valor¡¯s bed and held it in two hands. She held it up over the sleeping Valor.


    Prin shoved open the door, it felt light suddenly, like it was made of paper. ¡°Stop.¡± He thought he had been yelling it, felt like yelling it, but it came out firm and authoritative, but calm. As though he meant business. But was still somewhat hesitant to wake the rest of the household?


    The apprentice witch swirled around, eyes wide, and a weird shimmy in the air between them as though she were trying to put her suit of plain, forgettableness back on and failing. It fell to the floor like a rain soaked slicker.


    Until this moment Prin had not been sure she hadn¡¯t known he was there, maybe baiting him into a confrontation for her own reasons. But no, the surprise on her face, the vivid color raising in her cheeks, was too genuine.


    Her first instinct was to go back to her role as house maid, as though she had never left it. She fluffed the pillow and placed it back down on the bed beside Valor.


    ¡°Just straightening up a little bit.¡± She said. Not even convincing herself with that tone.


    ¡°I know who you are now.¡± Prin came into the room. He didn¡¯t recognize his own voice, was barely cognizant of the words he was speaking. Both of him were angry.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you asleep!?¡± Lissabet yelled. ¡°It worked perfectly every other time.¡± She was angry too.


    ¡°Your tricks won¡¯t work anymore, it¡¯s over.¡± Prin said.


    The girl picked up the pillow again, holding it aggressively, as though it were truly a weapon and not just an oblong of fabric filled with duck feathers. ¡°Leave me alone and we can both be free of him. Aren¡¯t you tired? Of his clinging and his whining. And his insulting words? I¡¯m surprised he even lets you go to the bathroom by yourself! If you aren¡¯t yet, you would be soon. He¡¯s a boy born of ill will and bad vibes.¡± She shuddered. The apprentice witch had truly convinced herself that she hated her victim. That she had good reason to. ¡°He would have never been born if not for the necessity of a son to fulfill the curse.¡±


    She turned pale, realizing she said too much. Not knowing how much Prin already knew.


    ¡°So you condemn him? For a sin he had nothing to do with?¡± Prin asked. ¡°What gives you that right?¡± He walked towards her, slowly and deliberately.


    He snuck a closer glance at Valor, relieved to find him breathing evenly, rust-blond head nestled against a pile of pillows.


    The cats had gone quiet. Prin could see the glow of their eyes through the slats in the crate. Doing what cats do best. Watching.


    Lissabet shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s got nothing to do with me. It wasn¡¯t me who condemned him. Or me who caused him to be born just for this.¡± There was a flicker of something in her eyes, she had doubts about what she was doing. Or just doubts about her ability to get away with it now that she had been caught. And the gears were turning, trying to parse out her next move.


    ¡°You will release him.¡± Prin said, in his new, not Prin voice. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter why he¡¯s here, he¡¯s here now, and this unnatural suffering is over.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± The girl said.


    Prin continued his stride toward her at a quicker pace and snatched the pillow out of her hands. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a request.¡± He smiled, his mouth stretching almost painfully over his teeth.


    Oh gods, what am I doing. Shhh, you¡¯re doing fine.


    The apprentice witch squinted at him. ¡°Who in hell are you anyway? What are you?¡± She backed up toward the window. Prin being between her and the door.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Prin said. ¡°Do as I say or I¡¯m going to eat you. Just like I did the other one.¡±

 Chapter 103

    Lissabet, the apprentice witch, the would-be murderer, stared at Prin as though he were the crazy one.


    Prin was very much not sure he was in control of anything he said or did, and yet, somehow he was still present. He hadn¡¯t faded back, or drifted away. He was still seeing out of his own blue eyes.


    She better run.


    ¡°So you are the one who killed her. I wasn¡¯t sure.¡± Lissabet said. She fiddled with something behind herself. And Prin knew she was trying to use conversation to distract him from what she was doing. ¡°Do you have a vendetta against us or something? Are you killing every one you can find?¡± She gulped, face flushed and sweating. Trying to put on a tough front that she really didn¡¯t feel.


    ¡°No, not really. I¡¯m just hungry.¡± Prin said. No, no! Don¡¯t say that, ask her about the curse. How to break them, if she can¡¯t then who can? That kind of thing.


    ¡°You are nothing like you were before.¡± The girl said. ¡°I can¡¯t understand it. It¡¯s almost like ¨C¡± Mid sentence she interrupted herself by flinging open the window behind her and jumping out. Quick as you please.


    That was rude, Prin thought, only half joking. He had wanted to hear what she was going to say.


    Prin hurried to the window and looked out. They were on the second story so there was a very real possibility she was laying on the ground with a broken leg right about now. But no, by the time he got there, she was already up on her feet and running away.


    Let her run. Let her run. We¡¯re on an island, she can¡¯t get far. And chasing her will help us work up an appetite.


    Prin swung his leg up over the windowsill, sparing a brief thought of being glad he had gotten dressed before leaving his room, but not even a second¡¯s worry about the consequences of jumping out of a window.


    Luckily for him, there was a little noise behind him. Just enough to break his concentration and make him turn around.


    Valor was not awake after all, but had made a little sound in his sleep like a puppy having a bad dream. He frowned and twitched.


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re okay.¡± Prin murmured. ¡°I should kill her twice for ever hurting you.¡±


    He went to his friend and tucked the blanket more firmly around him, fluffed his pillow and smoothed his hair back from his forehead. ¡°Just a baby.¡±


    Valor¡¯s features relaxed again, no longer afraid. Of whatever it is he had dreamt about. Although it certainly couldn¡¯t have been any worse than the reality he had been living in all this time.


    Prin closed the window again and latched it, as quietly as he could. Don¡¯t want any more night mares getting in.


    He went to the crate and picked it up, turning it right side up again and releasing the two fluffy captives. Prin half expected them to jump on him or claw his hands, in some misguided fit of pique, but they didn¡¯t. The longer haired one purred at him, and they both rubbed against his legs on their way back to their master.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t be what you wanted me to be.¡± Prin said. ¡°Maybe if you were older and I wasn¡¯t . . . didn¡¯t already have someone.¡± He knew Valor couldn¡¯t hear him, which is part of why he didn¡¯t mind saying it. ¡°Take care of him.¡± He told the kitties.


    He wondered if he would be back or not. He had a sinking feeling that this was goodbye. But then again, maybe not, after all no matter what were to happen he had to come back to retrieve his someone.


    Prin was wasting time.


    You¡¯re stalling.


    Prin tried to ignore the voice. Sometimes he was the voice, and was equally ignored so it was only fair.


    He hurried down the stairs. The house was still quiet but would no doubt be waking up soon. Prin didn¡¯t want anyone to stop him. He left through the kitchen door and went down the street with a purpose.


    Would she hide? Would she try to circle back to the house to collect any money or important possessions she had left behind?


    No, he didn¡¯t think so. Prin figured she would run as far and as fast as she could manage. And on a small island there was only one reasonable place she would go. The end of the line for traveling, as far as that went. The docks.


    A girl at night, at the docks, didn¡¯t seem like the safest thing. But on the other hand, maybe she could make herself look like not a girl, or not a person at all. Maybe a tree or an old rusted anchor.


    He almost made himself laugh with that one, except he needed all the breath in his lungs for his hurried almost run.


    Prin soon enough made it to town and passed the pink house. He felt a twinge thinking of Aster. What would Aster say about witches? Probably laugh and shrug it off as no big deal. Something she had always known about. And not a problem to handle.


    Prin could use some of that over confidence.


    Don¡¯t worry we¡¯ll find her. I¡¯ll see to that.


    Shut up you.


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    When Prin got to the docks, he became suddenly acutely aware, that the docks at night may not be a safe place for a boy alone either.


    Especially these particular docks, full of pirates coming and going from long jags at sea, looking over their shoulders for any sign of authorities (fat chance of it here), or someone out to steal their share of the blood tainted loot. And looking for a good time to be had while they were at port.


    Of course, pirate or no, maybe that was the attitude of most sailors.


    The laughter was a warm vibration, more in his gut than in his mind. Let them try it.


    I¡¯d rather not, thanks.


    Prin scanned the area. Surprisingly a lot of loading and unloading continued this late into the night.


    As well as drunken men loitering about. One was throwing up into the water while his buddies laughed at him. Some friends.


    Yet there was no sign of the girl. Or any noticeably female persons for that matter. But he knew she was here. Or, had been.


    Prin was on the verge of kicking himself for allowing that small head start. He never had any luck catching up with people, now did he.


    Then, he remembered the little cove. The place where he and Elwin had landed on this goddess forsaken island. A good place to arrive or depart unnoticed.


    Prin had an impulse (instinct?) that she had gone there, or was currently headed that way. Ignoring the staring men, he left to follow his impulse, glad they hadn¡¯t tried.


    When he arrived at the small cove, the full moon was a lighthouse beacon, shining on the water.


    Even without that, his night vision would have been sharp enough to see Lissabet pulling a little boat out over the sand. A very little boat. A familiar little boat.


    It was a bit heavy for her, and she was struggling. At one point falling down flat on her back and standing back up again covered in sand.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s my boat you¡¯re stealing.¡± Prin said.


    Something that coiled inside him, stirred with interest at her startled face. Luminous eyes reflecting twin moons. It wanted to come back out, and Prin wasn¡¯t sure he could stop it.


    ¡°Finders keepers.¡± The young witch said. She tried pulling the boat instead of pushing it, sweating with the effort.


    Prin could smell it mixing with the salt air. His stomach grumbled.


    ¡°If you talk to me . . . Answer my questions. I¡¯ll let you go. In fact, I¡¯ll help you get the boat into the water. Although you should know it¡¯s barely seaworthy.¡± Prin was having his own struggle, his own perilous push-pull, although it was less physical. Sure felt physical though.


    The girl stopped, panting slightly. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°No one.¡± Prin said, ¡°Who are you?¡± Although he knew the answer, well enough anyway.


    ¡°No, really.¡± She said. Lissabet sat down in the boat to rest. ¡°I can answer your questions, well maybe some, but I need to know who I¡¯m talking to. Are you a devil?¡±


    Prin laughed. ¡°No. Or, maybe yes. I was a sick boy who was gifted with a curse that made me well. I didn¡¯t ask for it, or want it. Now maybe I am a devil.¡±


    Lissabet tilted her head to one side, then the other. She was sitting with her back to the sea, and now her eyes were black pools. Oubliettes.


    Maybe she was a devil too.


    ¡°What¡¯s the nature of the curse?¡± She asked.


    Prin sat down in the sand. ¡°I eat people. I can . . . guide it, or maybe suppress it a little. I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯m not strong enough to control it.¡±


    The voice from inside chuckled again.


    ¡°You see it as a personal failing, this curse.¡± Lissabet said. ¡°When it sounds to me more like something that was done to you.¡±


    Prin thought about this. ¡°Can I say, it¡¯s both? The first one I couldn¡¯t help but after that, I had a choice. I chose myself over them. I mean, I could have died rather than killing others, you know? If I was stronger.¡±


    ¡°Why should you?¡± Lissabet asked. ¡°Prioritize others over yourself? It¡¯s not what happens in nature.¡±


    Prin shook his head. ¡°Can you tell me how to give it back? I want to find the witch who did this but she had the power to change her appearance, and I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll never find her.¡±


    ¡°You can counter them sometimes, with other forces. Or, you can find a witch stronger than the one who did it and get her to take a crack. I¡¯m sorry, I just don¡¯t know that much. I¡¯m not privy to any of the wild secrets, or the old one¡¯s ways. I . . . guess I¡¯ll never be trusted now, as I¡¯m not sure I can go back to the coven in defeat.¡± The apprentice witch said.


    ¡°Find a new coven.¡± Prin said.


    She snorted. ¡°How? You think they are advertising in the local papers?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my problem.¡± Prin waved his hand. He was growing impatient. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m asking the wrong questions. How do I find the witch who did this to me? It seems like that¡¯s the best, and maybe only real option. Can you . . . look at me and tell?¡±


    ¡°Maybe some older witches could sniff her out. The scent of her magic is all over you.¡± Lissabet said. ¡°She must be powerful. Maybe a coven head? Although, some are lone witches . . . I would say there has to be someone who can trace the magic to its source and help you track her.¡± She nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not impossible. Just impossible for me. I am a glorified, well not that glorified, errand girl.¡±


    Prin couldn¡¯t help but laugh. This was all so ridiculous. She could be lying to him and how would he ever know? But based on the way the others were talking to her, it did seem she was of the lowest rank among them. Which fit with what she was saying, he supposed.


    Just kill her.


    Prin ignored the voice. ¡°If you can¡¯t help me, then what about Valor? Why are you here anyway? The curse was done a long time ago.¡± He wished his feet were bare so he could feel the sand. If he was going to push the boat into the water he would need to take them off anyway, right? Still, she might bluff and run off in the other direction and he would need his shoes on to give chase.


    Just kill her and be done with it. Save the worry.


    ¡°I can¡¯t figure out why you care! He¡¯s a little shit.¡± Lissabet said. ¡°Believe me, I¡¯ve been in that house for years.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just a kid.¡± Prin said. ¡°What have you been doing to him.¡±


    ¡°Just, you know, making sure he is good and cursed.¡± She said. ¡°It¡¯s hard to curse someone who isn¡¯t even born yet and make it stick. His father was responsible for the death of the old coven leader¡¯s sister and her baby. It¡¯s taken seriously. Hey, maybe your curse wasn¡¯t really for you either? Did you ever think of that? Could be for your father.¡±


    ¡°Will he get better now that you¡¯re gone? Will the curse go away?¡± She had given Prin something to think about but he was trying to focus on Valor now, and he wouldn¡¯t be distracted.


    ¡°It will fade more over time.¡± She shrugged. ¡°He might end up being just ordinary unlucky, I guess. If they didn¡¯t need a whipping boy for this curse, he wouldn¡¯t have even been born. I¡¯ve heard it said. I wasn¡¯t actually there or anything. They might send someone else though to finish the job.¡±


    ¡°They had better not.¡± Prin said. He stood up and dusted himself off. ¡°I¡¯m tired of this pointless conversation. You are barely any help at all.¡± He went to the boat.


    Lissabet hopped out of the boat and went around to help him push.


    The two of them maneuvered the life boat into the cold shallow waters.


    The apprentice witch got in the boat and took the rows in her hands. ¡°Thanks for not killing me. I guess. Although the other witches might. I¡¯m probably better off taking my chances with them then with you.¡±


    Prin hopped in the boat, wondering what on earth he was doing. He leaned in close to her until he could feel her breath on his face, almost sink into the expanded black roundness of her pupils. She was rather pretty, without the disguise.


    ¡°If you ever come near him again, I¡¯ll kill you.¡± Prin said into her frightened face. ¡°And if they send another one I¡¯ll kill you, and her.¡±

 Chapter 104

    The young witch tried to put on a brave face, but she gulped in an exaggerated manner. She put up her hands in surrender. ¡°Alright, alright, understood! Do you really think I would come back here and bother that boy? No, fat chance. I¡¯m cured of it for good.¡± She snorted. The bravado in her voice couldn¡¯t hide the shiver and quake in the center of each sentence.


    Lissabet was afraid of him.


    Good. She should be.


    Prin leaned away from her. He knew he had to get off the boat before it drifted too far. Having never learned to swim.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell them he¡¯s dead. Just tell them that.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I ¨C They would know better.¡± She said. ¡°Still, membership is down, most of the others are elderly and rarely leave their own homesteads, cottages, and mausoleums. I wouldn¡¯t worry too much, I don¡¯t think they will spare another to come take my place.¡±


    Prin narrowed his eyes.


    Lying, probably lying, or stretching the truth anyway, the voice said. Kill her now.


    Prin didn¡¯t feel like killing her. She seemed too much like a pawn, someone just following orders. And being forced to pretend to be a meek housemaid for years on end was a hell of a hazing into the coven. He had a sense that it had chafed her every moment. And maybe was punishment enough for what she had done.


    Well, not really. But she would get the punishment when she returned to the others.


    ¡°If you have nothing else to tell me, I guess . . .¡± Prin trailed. He was nagged by the feeling that maybe he should kill her.


    He needed to leave her quickly before the feeling got any bigger. Too big for him to wriggle his way out from under. Like a boulder.


    ¡°You know all I know about it now!¡± Lissabet said. ¡°Hey, if I were you, I would just learn to live with it. You know? It sounds like a double edge sword. The curse cuts you and it also cuts others in equal measure.¡± She grinned with a sudden devilish glee. ¡°Use it to make your way in the world. There are plenty of people out here.¡± She gestured wide to encompass the whole of sea and land. ¡°That deserve to be eaten.¡±


    Prin lunged at her.


    ¡°Ahh! Not me though! I¡¯m just a peon!¡± Lissabet threw her hands back up over her in a pitiful protection from the devil. ¡°If you spare me, I¡¯ll be sure to return the favor someday.¡±


    Prin sighed. ¡°You aren¡¯t even worth eating.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± The apprentice witch said firmly. ¡°I¡¯m all bone and gristle anyway.¡±


    Prin carefully swung his legs over the side of the boat, getting hit with the sensation of icy water up to his knees. He winced. ¡°Just go away and hope I never see you again.¡± He was getting tired of being tough and felt like crying.


    Lissabet began to row away as Prin trudged back to shore while regretting every life choice up until now. He thought there was a chance she would just die at sea with no provisions in that tiny life boat. But he would never know one way or the other.


    When he had made it to shore he heard a mocking voice call out. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even find your own witch! You¡¯ll never find me!¡± She laughed.


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    Good, like I wanted to find you again. Smart ass.


    Prin chose not to respond. He stood on the shore in the dark, dripping with sea water, as he watched her boat recede into the horizon.


    When he was sure she was good and gone he sank down in the sand and tried to cry but the tears wouldn¡¯t come. He was all dried up.


    Prin just rested instead, looking up at the sky, watching the stars like crystal ornaments in a wishing pond, wink in and out of existence as the wispy clouds like ghost fish swam over them.


    He wondered if the ones back at the house had woken up yet, and how would he tell them what had just happened? Well, Elwin and Valor anyway.


    Just as he was beginning to fall asleep, or get just a little too comfortable anyway, a crab scuttled over his ear.


    ¡°Oh no, uh uh.¡± Prin sat up quickly, vigorously brushing sand and critters off of his hair and body. ¡°I can¡¯t stay here.¡± He stood up, a wobble in his step.


    It was the middle of the night, even later than the middle at this point.


    Prin staggered away from the beach and back toward town, which luckily was not too far, it being a small island and all. He felt exhausted, his wet sandy clothes chafing uncomfortably and weighing him down.


    When Mama Kris¡¯s pink house came into view, Prin had an overwhelming desire to see Aster. Aster wouldn¡¯t mind. She¡¯d be awake since this was part of her normal work hours. Aster was his comfort person? In addition to Elwin, of course, who was farther away at the moment.


    Prin wanted his friend. He needed comfort. Her warm arms, sweet smelling hair . . .


    She¡¯s not your mother. That harsh laugh again. Audible only to Prin? Or could anyone hear it?


    Shut up you.


    The fairy is here. Let¡¯s squash it.


    Prin ignored this. He was neither concerned about, nor interested in the fairy right now. He approached the door, then veered to the side, going around to the back yard. No one tried to stop him from entering the private area of the employees who worked in the pink house. Either he went unnoticed or they had seen him around enough to think nothing of it.


    He slogged off through the clothes lines and assorted debris, his wet boots squelching the hard packed dirt into mud. It occurred to him that she may not be at home, or rather in Mama Kris¡¯s establishment. Working. He shuddered at the thought, hating it intrinsically, although his mind was very fuzzy on what ¡°selling affection¡± entailed. He didn¡¯t want to know. He hoped he still had his key.


    At first, he saw a silhouette of Aster, unmistakable due to her height, full dress, and hair that was coiled into braids on each side. Almost like the shadow of a pan with pretty curled horns and delicate features. Prin almost had time to breath a sigh of relief, before he saw that there was a man with her, pulling on her arm.


    At first he thought it was Jules, and a tongue of spiked fire licked at his guts, but no, it was someone else, shorter and without the distinctive extra long hair and dapper overly decorative suit.


    Prin wasn¡¯t sure who it was, but the fire didn¡¯t subside.


    He stayed still for a moment, watching to see if the situation would resolve itself.


    The shadow of Aster was saying. ¡°No, men aren¡¯t allowed out here.¡± In a firm, but not overly loud voice.


    If her words were calm, her body language was anything but, as she used her other hand to try and pry the man¡¯s grip off her wrist, arching the rest of her body as far away from him as she could get, and digging her heels into the dirt.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go back in there.¡± A familiar voice said. ¡°You¡¯re going to tell me what you know. I know you know something.¡± He pulled Aster, yanking her small form against his body and holding her tight.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. I have nothing to do with this. I didn¡¯t even know the woman, why would I want her dead?¡±


    ¡°Well then, maybe we can work something else out.¡± The man said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t give freebies here.¡± Aster¡¯s voice dropped a few octaves. ¡°Let go or you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    The man laughed at Aster. ¡°You¡¯re cute. A bunny rabbit threatening a wolf.¡± He put his face close to Aster¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s just amusing more then anything, I can¡¯t even be angry.¡±


    ¡°Rabbits can bite and kick.¡± Aster said. ¡°And have little knives hidden on their bodies in unexpected places.¡±


    He laughed again, unbothered, apparently, by the squawking of small animals. He dragged Aster to the shed, and when he gave the door a sharp tug it instantly flew open. The splintering of the old wood as the lock tore away was not even that loud.


    Prin was getting hungry. The burning, wrenching in his gut made him briefly woozy. Is this how it would be? Anger triggering the hunger? He could almost taste the hot blood in his mouth. Delicious.


    That¡¯s the spirit. The phantom voice encouraged.


    Prin didn¡¯t bother to refute it, rather embracing the beautiful prince from his dream. Absorbing his strength.


    He followed them into the shed, pulling the broken door closed behind him.

 Chapter 105

    The fright Prin must have looked, standing there dripping with cold sea water, uncombed hair full of sand and who knows what else, with his back to the door he had just closed, shutting off their escape route, was reflected in the face of his friend.


    Aster looked up at him, her body trapped between the bed and the larger and less clever of the two investigating men (Hobbs, Prin¡¯s mind supplied from somewhere in the depths of it, like a single cookie offered on a china plate at high tea. Was that right?). Her dark eyes reflected the almost alien blue ones she was looking into, and a new kind of fear crossed her features. Not the fear of what happens with a man who won¡¯t be refused, and hasn¡¯t even paid the house for the privilege, no, that fear was no doubt a well worn familiar one, old hat.


    The prince felt a mote of disappointment. He had thought those men more professional than this. And also, if he had to pick he would rather have eaten the too clever one with the smirking baby face. More satisfaction in it. This would have to do.


    ¡°Oh, Prin, no! It¡¯s okay.¡± Aster shimmied out of her already loosened dress and was out of the bed and standing before Prin as quick as a blink, like a magic trick. She held her hands up. ¡°I can ¨C I can handle this, you go home now.¡±


    ¡°As slippery as an eel.¡± Hobbs was left holding the pretty dress, like a beautifully made pie crust with no filling. He rolled over on his back with a nervous smile. Half amused, half worried about who had just caught him in the act. When he saw it was Prin he visibly relaxed for a second, before tensing back up and narrowing his eyes with suspicion. ¡°How close are you two?¡± He asked, as though the answer might feature into the solving of his murder mystery, or at least grant the excellent leverage that blackmail could provide.


    ¡°Not as close as you and I are about to be.¡± Prin licked his lips. Come to think of it the larger one was not so bad, more meat on the bones.


    Hobbs barked out a little laugh. ¡°What is this, some kind of set up? Or . . . is this something you¡¯re into?¡± He cast a glance at Aster. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t think skinny moppets that look like something the cat dragged in ¨C I mean, maybe under different circumstances I would ¨C There is something compelling about those eyes. But is this really how you present yourself when propositioning someone?¡± He lounged on the bed, propping his head up on the palm of his hand. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure some would.¡± He shook his head, incredulous but intrigued.


    ¡°What are you doing here, bunny? Let¡¯s go.¡± Aster took Prin¡¯s arm and tried to lead steer him toward the broken door. ¡°Are you sleep walking? Go on home to your pretty man. I don¡¯t need rescuing, you know me.¡± She looked up at him with that lopsided smile, half the confidence of the gods themselves, half lost child.


    Prin walked a couple steps in that direction, muscle memory, without having any intention of leaving. ¡°He wants to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Nah, not really.¡± Aster lowered her voice and leaned in closer to Prin, standing on her toes to reach his ear. ¡°Let me just give him what he wants, a little taste anyway, and he¡¯ll go away. I know this type. He feels like a big man when he can intimidate someone, just let him think you¡¯re scared. You know?¡±


    The prince pulled his arm out of Aster¡¯s grasp and turned fully to face her. He put his hands on her arms, holding them tightly down against the sides of her slim body. He could feel her freeze up and tense all down the length of her, like a possum about to play dead, or a rabbit with nowhere to run.


    ¡°Don¡¯t interfere with my dinner.¡± The prince said.


    Don¡¯t you dare hurt her! Let go! The voice in his mind shrieked impotently in the background.


    Knowing he would do whatever he wanted and there was nothing Prin, or anyone, could do to stop him.


    ¡°Luckily for you, you are too scrawny to make a good meal.¡± The prince winked at Aster. ¡°But don¡¯t tempt me.¡±


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    ¡°This is all pretty weird.¡± Hobbs sat up. The nervous smile was back. Perhaps he enjoyed bullying those he considered helpless but adding Prin into the mix introduced a level of crazy that was too unpredictable for his taste. ¡°I think I¡¯ll take my leave after all. We can continue this . . . conversation another time.¡± He stood up, looking as though he wished he could figure out how to escape without going right past them.


    Prin released Aster and turned to face the investigator. ¡°Do you still think I killed that witch?¡±


    Hobbs put his hands up in the air. ¡°Hey, it was never really me who thought so. That was my partner.¡±


    Prin stepped closer, blocking his way to the door. ¡°Well, I did.¡±


    The investigator frowned, he looked over the prince¡¯s shoulder at Aster. ¡°Is he not well, mentally? Or is this some kind of elaborate prank? Because it¡¯s not something to joke about.¡±


    The prince stepped closer still.


    Hobbs cringed away from him. As much as he tried to act nonchalant, he had to feel how the dynamic had shifted. He had no upper hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you afraid of me?¡± Prin asked.


    Hobbs scoffed. ¡°I think I could take you in a fight. I¡¯ve had training.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that.¡± The prince leapt on the cowardly man and bit at his neck, where he knew the blood would come flying out like a geyser. He was learning.


    As much warning as he had been given in the situation, and as much as every muscle and nerve in his body must have been screaming out for him to run, it did no good. Prin still had the element of surprise. Somehow.


    And the blood did indeed shoot out like a public fountain on a hot day.


    Hobbs tried to scream but Prin cut him off with another bite to the throat. He had to quiet and incapacitate the man before he could relax and feast in peace. It was all surprisingly easy.


    He surely took some small wounds in the flailing and thrashing about, but he could barely feel it.


    The prince was halfway to filling his belly before he thought to wonder where Aster was.


    Probably halfway to the other side of the island by now. The voice said, with an almost satisfied sounding tone. As if they were not one and the same, as if they would not experience the same shit smelling and damp stone prison cell, feel the same noose as it tightened snuggly around their throat.


    Prin raised his head from the comforting warmth of the raw meat that was Hobb¡¯s unworthy chest. And looked toward the door.


    Aster was still standing there. One beringed hand out, grazing the door, but more as though to assure it was there and solid and real, than from any attempt to open it. Other than that she had frozen, dark eyes as far away as distant stars, expression blank. The only movement was fat tears that smudged the kohl eyeliner and ran down her face in dirty rivers.


    Leave no witnesses.


    What about Elwin? The voice asked.


    Elwin doesn¡¯t count.


    Prin stood up and went toward Aster.


    Aster didn¡¯t move. It was as though she thought that by not moving she couldn¡¯t be seen. Or someone had hit her off switch.


    The prince put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. ¡°Hi.¡±


    Aster said nothing. With eyes that looked through him and out the other side to the body behind him.


    ¡°I will take no pleasure in this, since you are more or less a good person.¡± The prince said.


    You won¡¯t hurt her. You wouldn¡¯t dare!


    He ignored the nagging voice.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a mercy killing.¡± The prince suggested. ¡°Since you seem to be broken.¡±


    Aster said nothing.


    The prince lifted her wrist to his mouth. Maybe he would do it this way, just let her bleed out, remaining beautiful. Nah, probably not.


    Just as his teeth sunk into a petite arm, feeling the graze of bone against his incisors, he heard a horrible sound from the floor beside the bed, where he had left the body of Hobbs.


    The, apparently, not yet dead body of Hobbs.


    The investigator made a noise somewhere between a gurgle and a growl, and began to violently thrash against the floor of the shed, thumping and clattering in his death throes.


    It was a bit loud.


    The prince let go of Aster and turned back to his first victim, to finish him off faster so that he would at last shut up.


    He took ahold of the man¡¯s head by the hair and wrenched it, hoping to decapitate him in one grab. This was harder than he had imagined and the head remained attached by the trailing snake¡¯s tail of the spinal cord. But he was definitely dead. Prin could have almost laughed. Why had he thought that would be easy?


    As he was turning back around to Aster, all of this having barely taken a moment, the prince just had time to appreciate how ferocious she looked, and feel a stir of appreciation below his abdomen.


    Aster¡¯s white chemise turned red on one side, the blood flowing in a line from her wrist down over her arm and staining the white cloth all the way down, as she held a chair above her head. Her face stripped of customer service politeness, the charm of civility, the artifice of polished beauty. Feral.


    ¡°I. Want. To. Live.¡± Aster smashed the chair over Prin.

 Chapter 106

    The prince reeled backward, momentarily stunned by the force of the blow. And the person it was coming from. Did he expect Aster to just stand around and let herself be killed?


    The chair had shattered to pieces, raining down around him as sticks and producing an instant headache.


    ¡°Aster, stop.¡± Prin coughed blood, though not his own.


    Aster had an umbrella this time, sleek and black, with a pointy end that she was brandishing in his direction.


    Aster opened her mouth as though to speak, but nothing came out. The bitten arm was bleeding uninhibited onto the ground, and shaking. She wouldn¡¯t be able to fight for long.


    He could always stall her out until she grew weaker.


    The prince did not have the patience for it, and couldn¡¯t risk her getting to the door and running out into the courtyard. He knew little of his own strength, but knew that an angry mob would be beyond him.


    Maybe flames from a homemade bonfire, instead of hanging. Would that be preferable?


    Aster swung the umbrella as he charged toward her, but was quickly disarmed.


    Prin now held it and considered striking her with it, raising it high in the air.


    Aster dropped to the floor and tried to crawl through the gap between his legs and escape to the other side.


    Prin squeezed his legs together and trapped her.


    All of a sudden a winged thing flew in his face, small but furious and he tripped over Aster in the blinding chaos.


    The prince had forgotten all about the fairy. Where had she been?


    This is why I said we need to squash it.


    ¡°The prodigal bug returns.¡± The prince said. He tried to smash it with his hand, like an annoying mosquito.


    Aster got to her feet and hesitated for a moment not sure where to turn. To go for another weapon? Or straight for the door?


    The fairy dodged his attempts and flew toward Aster.


    Prin headed that way too, the hesitation giving him time to catch up. Although this was all happening so fast, it felt like a lot longer. And he was still hungry.


    Aster lunged toward the door, leaving bloody boot prints on just about the last clean bit of floor remaining.


    Prin followed quickly, continuing to try and smack the fairy out of the air, but he was unable to connect.


    He reached out and pulled Aster away from the door, yanking her by her hair which was coming loose from its elaborate braids. Although that¡¯s not what he wanted to do, he wanted to pull open the broken door and shove her through it. It was weird to be at polar opposites with yourself. But he would have to deal with the fallout of that later. After the danger was passed.


    The prince turned Aster to face him. Her face was smeared with blood now as well as messy tears but it was defiant. She didn¡¯t waste any energy in speaking, but that thousand yard stare said more than words could have.


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    The fairy once again flew between them. Prin was beginning to hate this bug.


    Just as he raised his hands again, this time sure he could take it down, a cloud of odd smelling smoke filled the air.


    Like an herbal medical concoction, but with sweet undertones like pie on a warm windowsill.


    His mind immediately tried to parse it out. What kind of herbs? What kind of pie?


    That was the last he knew . . .


    Elwin woke with a start. It was pitch dark in the room and he didn¡¯t know what had awoken him. No, not completely dark, there was a line of sickly grey light around the edges of the curtain. Morning then, or nearly so.


    He felt along the bed to be sure he was correct in thinking that Prin was not with him. Maybe he had gone to check on Valor?


    Elwin had an eerie feeling.


    He got up and opened the curtains, getting dressed quickly in the grey false dawn light. Elwin felt a little silly about it, but he was worried. It was so rare for him to be separate from Prin, without knowing where he had gone. Even when they were leaving a room, they usually would announce it to the other.


    It was probably nothing.


    Elwin went to Valor¡¯s room and, since it seemed too early to knock, he opened the door a crack and peeked in. There were some candles burning down to stubs, one of which was sitting on the floor, its brass holder brimming over with amber colored wax that dripped onto the floor.


    This was the first odd thing. Didn¡¯t it seem dangerous to leave a candle on the floor in a room shared by cats and a blind boy? It seemed a recipe for a house fire. Elwin picked it up and sat it on the side table.


    Prin was nowhere to be seen.


    The curtain flapped gently in the icy cold draft coming in from the open window. And tucked neatly in a pile was a metal burner and some other detritus. Curioser and curioser.


    Valor shivered in his sleep.


    Elwin didn¡¯t want to wake him but it didn¡¯t seem right to let him get a chill either. It¡¯s not what Prin would have done, if he were here.


    Elwin pulled the extra blanket from the bottom of the bed up around him. One of the cats opened a single eye to watch him warily.


    He went to the window to close it, wondering where his prince could be. If not here, than where on earth . . ?


    Something . . . it looked like a dead leaf? Was falling, only, it was falling upward. Rapidly. Right at his face.


    Elwin shut the window quickly, but not quick enough. And the fast, moth-like thing was filling the air in front of his face with a flutter of wings like paper rustling, like the pages in a book as it falls shut. It seemed there must be more than one pair, at the speed they were moving. But he was unable to make out the nature of the creature, beyond the carrier of some number of wings.


    The fairy. Aster¡¯s fairy.


    He already thought of it that way, as belonging with Aster.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Elwin asked. He took a step back to try and preserve some illusion of personal space. Elwin cast a look at Valor to see that he was stirring slightly, but not yet awake.


    ¡°Shh, just a second.¡± Elwin told the fairy. He went to Valor and put his hand on the boy¡¯s forehead, just in case. He didn¡¯t seem too warm.


    ¡°Sorry, Valor, I was just checking in. Have you see-heard from Prin tonight?¡± Elwin asked. He knew if he had said nothing, he might have avoided waking Valor, but at the same time he had to ask.


    Valor made a little noise and opened his eyes just a crack. ¡°Who--?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Elwin, it¡¯s early in the morning. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin said.


    The fairy flew in between them, getting in his face again, until Elwin could feel the air from those tiny wings. ¡°Do you know where Prin is? I think you do.¡± He said.


    ¡°Who else is here?¡± Valor asked, sitting up abruptly, and rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s the fairy. I have to go. I think something¡¯s wrong.¡± Elwin said.


    The fairy flew into his face again and back away, back and forth several times, as though agreeing with his assessment and urging him to hurry.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Valor demanded. ¡°Where is it?¡± He held out his hand, but the fairy and Elwin both ignored it.


    ¡°Sorry, go back to sleep. We¡¯ll talk later.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you all about it later.¡± He headed to the door, the fairy sometimes following sometimes leading the way.


    ¡°I think he said goodbye . . .¡± Valor called after them. ¡°Or maybe it was a dream. Don¡¯t you dare let him leave without saying goodbye to me while I am awake!¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Elwin threw open the door, his mind on other things.


    ¡°Tell him I said he¡¯s a coward!¡± Valor said. Just loudly enough for Elwin to hear him through the door he had just closed behind himself.


    He didn¡¯t have any time to spare for the distraught and sickly boy, although he did spare him a thought. He thought for both of their sakes that Prin better be alright.

 Chapter 107

    Elwin left the house and followed the fairy along the streets that were just waking up. People opened front doors to let out pets, empty chamber pots, and other assorted chores. The very beginnings of a new day.


    Not that he needed to follow the little bug since he knew exactly where they were going.


    The air was crisp and cool, but not unpleasant. He wasn¡¯t sure it ever got any colder than that on this little island in this part of the sea.


    Elwin shivered anyway, as he approached Mama Kris¡¯s establishment.


    It was very quiet, most of the nights business having been thoroughly concluded and the employees asleep or salvaging what little bits of their own lives they were permitted to have. Just for a while.


    A jovial old drunk was being escorted outside by a lady in a dapper black suit, maybe a bartender. She had her arm around him and was making his exit as gentle and friendly as possible.


    Elwin skirted around them, trying not to be conspicuous as he followed the little flying thing around to the back courtyard of the building.


    He resisted the urge to run.


    As he approached Aster¡¯s little shack, normally a place of fond associations, something was immediately off. At first it looked like the door was just slightly ajar, the early morning shadows hiding the fact that it was actually broken until you were right upon it. The frame was splintered at the lock, as though something had burst either in or out of it.


    What were the odds Aster had just lost her key? Yeah, not likely.


    Elwin knocked lightly on the door. He didn¡¯t want to walk into something that he wouldn¡¯t want to see. He had a flash of gallows humor as he thought, I will but it won¡¯t be what I was thinking. Elwin immediately felt guilt for his stray thought.


    He was stalling.


    Elwin pushed the door slowly inward, and it moved with a complaining creak.


    He wasn¡¯t sure which of his senses was blasted first, his nose with that familiar, all too familiar smell, the metallic soup and worse, the barnyard undertones. Or, his eyes, the everywhere red like a child¡¯s finger painting gone amuck.


    Elwin closed the door behind himself. His first instinct was to put something heavy in front of it, to conceal the scene with him inside. But before he could even decide if that were a logical move or one driven only by fear of discovery, he became distracted trying to parse the details of what he was looking at.


    There was broken furniture, a pile of jagged pieces that may have been a chair, the vanity knocked diagonally against a wall and its precious bottles and creams fallen to the floor in a jumble. Prin was draped across the foot of the bed, his legs dangling off. At his feet a partially eaten corpse of what looked like a largish man. So not Aster then, at least there was that.


    Although there was an oddly placed dress under Prin. And Aster, not the type of person to just leave one of her elaborate dresses out on the bed.


    Elwin went to Prin and quickly checked his breathing and leaned his head against his chest, feeling that comforting heartbeat. He figured as much but had to be sure.


    He kissed the side of Prin¡¯s bloody face. ¡°Prin, Prin, wake up.¡± Elwin picked him up by the shoulder¡¯s and jostled him. ¡°Wake up. I love you.¡± He didn¡¯t know why he had said that just then, but he was already tense with apprehension at the fear and confusion Prin would be feeling when he awoke, and just wanted to do whatever he could to soften the blow.


    The prince didn¡¯t wake, as heavy and unwieldy as a sack of potatoes. ¡°Priiin.¡± Elwin begged. He looked over his shoulder at the door anxiously. Might someone come in at any time? Or were they safe for a while. Aster would be coming back soon in any case, right? Elwin had a bad feeling. A sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.


    Aster would be coming back, right?


    He shook Prin a little harder.


    Finally Prin moved in his arms, letting out a soft moan. He opened his pale sapphire eyes excruciatingly slow, as though his eyelids weighed a ton each and it took all his strength just to raise them. ¡°El?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s me. Don¡¯t panic but we can¡¯t stay here. We¡¯ve got to go.¡± He looked around the room in growing despair at the state of it. There wasn¡¯t anything much not soaked or splattered that he could cover Prin¡¯s own bloody appearance with to get him hustled out the door. There was always the clothes in the wardrobe but it didn¡¯t seem like frilly dresses made for someone five foot tall, if that, were going to do them much good.


    Prin smacked his mouth open and shut, contending with the drying stickiness. ¡°Wha¡ª¡± His eyes shot open wider and he sat up. ¡°Was it a dream?¡±


    ¡°Doubtful.¡± Elwin said dryly. ¡°I mean, what?¡± There was the water bucket by the vanity, which didn¡¯t seem to be knocked over. At least he could get Prin¡¯s face and hands clean with that.


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    Before Prin could answer, Elwin was abruptly reminded of who had led him here, by the fairy-bug flying once again at his face. He had completely forgotten its existence.


    ¡°What now? I¡¯m here aren¡¯t I?¡± He asked it, irritated and anxious to pay attention to the only thing that mattered, Prin.


    Prin put his hand to his head. ¡°I think a lot of things have happened but . . . its all in a jumble.¡± He put his hand back down again and it landed squarely on the ruffles and lace of Aster¡¯s dress. ¡°Oh, oh no. Aster. Where¡¯s Aster? We have to find her! She might have run off to get someone to arrest me and I wouldn¡¯t blame her a bit. After what I did. What did I do?¡±


    Elwin waved the fairy out of his way. ¡°Aster was here and saw, this?¡± He gestured vaguely at the bloody corpse. Would Aster turn Prin in? He really had no idea, and thought on one hand it wasn¡¯t likely but then again . . . these are not exactly normal ¡°my friend did a crime¡± circumstances. So he couldn¡¯t be sure. ¡°We have to get out of here right now. Before anyone comes.¡± He reached down and took Prin¡¯s hand in his, pulling him up to a standing position.


    The fairy continued to buzz around him annoyingly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened . . . or rather how much of it is real . . .¡± Prin said. He swayed on his feet, looking like a wave of dizziness had threatened to overtake him. ¡°That. Her. She. Sprayed me with something.¡± He pointed at the fairy. ¡°And maybe that¡¯s why . . . Freya too!¡±


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure if he was hallucinating, half remembering, or dreaming out loud, but he had to get them out of here and they could sort out the rest later.


    ¡°Prinny, please, concentrate on just standing up and walking. Don¡¯t fall over now!¡± Elwin guided him toward the door. ¡°Wait just a second.¡± Just as he thought of getting a wet rag and making him more presentable, if only a little, there was a soft knock and a scratching sound at the door.


    Elwin froze, he knew he should have put something in front of it, but it was too late now. He left Prin where he was standing and hurried to the door, planting himself firmly against it to act as his own human barrier. An act of desperation that surely wouldn¡¯t hold up against a battering ram of even the weakest magnitude. But it was better then nothing.


    ¡°Meow.¡± A voice said, a human female voice, not a cat¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s just a little kitty cat, let me in. Meow.¡± The woman scratched again and tried to push on the door. ¡°Some of the girls, Osage and Cindy, and them, are having a little breakfast wine party. You should come hang out. They would like you if they got to know the REAL you. . . Everything is sooo much more fun if you¡¯re there. The old man gave me some blue silk ribbons I¡¯m not doing anything with if you¡¯re interested. French blue.¡± She emphasized the word French, rolling the r on her tongue in an enticing manner, like it was a fancy chocolate she was savoring. After waiting a moment and getting no answer, she continued. ¡°Oh fine, be that way. I¡¯ll just stick ¡®em up my arse then. This is why you don¡¯t have any friends and no one will ever love you! Stupid Aster Rose.¡±


    Welp, that had taken a turn. Elwin could hear her flounce away through the dirt courtyard.


    ¡°I think some of the people who work here are not quite right.¡± Elwin commented dryly, when he could be sure she was well away. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s hurry.¡± He started toward Prin, then looked around the room again. ¡°No, wait.¡± He had to try and come up with something to cover Prin¡¯s bloody clothes, there may be too many people around to go unnoticed in his state.


    There was a knitted shawl around the shoulders of the dress makers mannequin and he wondered if he could use it. Elwin went to grab it, and that was when he saw something curled up in the corner of the room behind the mannequin, with the fairy hovering protectively nearby.


    It looked like a bundle of white and red cloth at first.  Only it was topped with bright red hair.


    ¡°Oh Prin, what have you done.¡± Elwin said it all at once in an exhale, he didn¡¯t mean for it to come out but it did.


    Prin lifted his tired head, eyes wide, and shuffled toward Elwin dragging his feet but at the same time almost falling over himself to get there. ¡°What¡¯s there?¡± He asked, anguished, as though already knowing.


    Elwin knelt down, partly to see better himself, and partly to block Prin¡¯s view. Was there any way to backpedal? Act like there was nothing there at all? They could leave here quickly, never knowing what was here in this corner. A horror left unseen. A friend who disappeared, but who they wouldn¡¯t have likely ever seen again anyway after running away from the island in a hurry.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± He said. It didn¡¯t sound convincing, even to himself.


    Aster¡¯s back was to him, and her limbs were curled up close to her body. There was nothing to indicate whether there would even be a face there at all if he turned her toward them. The image flashed in his mind of the first girl Prin killed, and thoroughly ate. Red bones.


    If he looked it would be an image he could never unsee. Someone who had shared whatever she had with them when they came here with practically nothing, someone he had laughed and danced with.


    Elwin was sure she was dead.


    Prin got to him and put his hand on Elwin¡¯s shoulder to steady himself. ¡°It¡¯s Aster isn¡¯t it.¡± He said, voice dry as ashes, drained of will to live.


    Elwin had to look. ¡°Back up, Prin, let me see, let me handle this. Go sit on the bed for a minute, honey, please.¡±


    Prin sat down on the wooden floor beside him, ignoring his pleas. ¡°Tell me Aster is sleeping.¡±


    Elwin reached out and touched her shoulder, sticky with the blood that was trying to dry. He rolled her towards them. She was not stiff, instead, pliant and floppy as a rag doll. But then, it was probably too early for rigor mortis. He prayed to all the gods she still had a face. Since that hair made her identity impossible to deny either way.


    Dirty and bloody, but it was there. Elwin allowed himself a sigh of relief.


    Aster¡¯s eyes were closed and mouth slightly parted, almost like she really was asleep, but the chalk like pallor and stillness didn¡¯t bode well.


    ¡°Aster!¡± The sound from Prin¡¯s mouth was like an injured animal, all primal pain. ¡°Noo-oo.¡± He pulled her onto his lap without hesitation and held her close to his chest. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Shhh, shhh. We have to be quiet.¡± Elwin¡¯s eyes felt hot and he blinked hard to avoid crying. He couldn¡¯t give up because too much was at stake. Prin¡¯s life. It was all that really mattered to him. Now, in a moment like this when everything was distilled into one thing. The most important thing.


    Prin looked at him with wild eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t live with this. It¡¯s over. I¡¯m done.¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t say that. Don¡¯t say it.¡± Elwin lost the battle and felt tears go down his face. ¡°I need you to stay strong. I need you.¡±


    It took a moment to crack through the shell of despair, but it eventually registered that Aster¡¯s arm was bleeding. The arm that fell away from her body as Prin rocked her in his arms. Actively bleeding.


    Something that couldn¡¯t happen if you were dead.

 Chapter 108

    ¡°Prin! Aster is only sleeping after all.¡± Elwin said hurriedly. The relief flooding his body as his broken heart tried to stitch itself back together.


    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± Prin sobbed. An accusation he had never lobbed at Elwin before.


    ¡°No, look. Look.¡± Elwin took Aster¡¯s arm with the slick droplets of fresh blood sliding down into the cup of her curled hand. ¡°See? Alive.¡± But maybe not for long. He frowned, his mind slipping its gears as he tried to imagine what to do next.


    Prin¡¯s eyes grew round with surprise, and he almost, almost, smiled in relief before reality took over. ¡°Oh shit. Shit. What are we going to do?¡±


    ¡°Uh.¡± Elwin looked around frantically. He had to come up with something to stop the bleeding. That seemed of paramount importance. Elwin spotted a colorful silk scarf hanging out of a drawer of the tilted over vanity and grabbed it. He wrapped it firmly around the jagged wound on Aster¡¯s wrist. It almost looked like someone had hacked at it with a serrated bread knife. But Elwin knew it for what it was. A bite.


    ¡°Is that good enough?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Not really but . . . it¡¯ll have to do.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°We have to get her to a doctor.¡± Prin said. Suddenly clear-headed sounding and logical. As though an emergency reserve of senses had been tapped and he came to them. All for Aster.


    He labored to his feet, almost dropping Aster although she was child light and not resisting.


    In fact, she hadn¡¯t moved at all in this time, or shown any sign of awareness.


    ¡°Can I help?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°You were dizzy . . .¡±


    ¡°No, no.¡± Prin walked determinedly to the door.


    ¡°Wait, wait a second. You can¡¯t go out there like that! There would be too many questions! And,¡± Here Elwin lowered his voice. ¡°There¡¯s a dead man in here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Do you want us to both go to prison?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°And Aster too, probably.¡± He added desperately. If she lives that long.


    This made Prin pause at the door. ¡°What do you suggest, Elwin? How do we get out of here and get to a doctor?¡±


    ¡°We have to, we have to do something.¡± Elwin gestured helplessly around them at the bloody and broken mess of the room. It was hard to say what looked worse, the blood soaked room or the blood soaked Prin and Aster.


    Elwin figured he didn¡¯t look as bad, of course there would be transfer but at least his clothes were dark. ¡°You can¡¯t walk out there looking like that. This is a quiet time here, with the business closed for the day. But still. There are a lot of people around.¡±


    ¡°So . . . get cleaned up first.¡± Prin said. He looked around the room, eyes hurriedly darting, doing the what in the hell is cleaner then I am assessment.


    ¡°Even then . . . to leave with Aster. . .¡± Elwin was sure they would be stopped by someone.


    Aster began to shiver in Prin¡¯s arms.


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure if that was a good sign or not. At least it was some sign of life he reckoned.


    ¡°We sure as hell aren¡¯t leaving her here!¡± Prin said ferociously, as though Elwin had suggested it and he was mad about it. He grabbed the shawl from the mannequin and wrapped it around Aster.


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    Aster nuzzled her face into Prin¡¯s chest, instinctively burrowing for warmth, but didn¡¯t stop shivering. She mumbled something unintelligible.


    Prin gave Elwin an anguished do something look.


    ¡°Okay, alright.¡± Elwin said, stalling for time as he tried to get his train back on the track. It was hard going. ¡°You sit down here.¡± He guided Prin to the bed. ¡°Sit down and rest a minute.¡±


    Prin stepped over the mangled corpse and tucked his bundle in under the covers. He sat close beside her, as though afraid to not be touching her in some way or she would stop breathing without him knowing it.


    Elwin went to the bucket of water. There was already a towel draped over the handle, and he brought it along when he carried the bucket to prin.


    Then he carried the vanity to the door and wedged it against it. This wouldn¡¯t hold for long, and he was cleanly aware that it blocked off their only escape route. Unless, they were to bust through the wall. Now there¡¯s a thought he could save for later, if it seemed of use. He had always thought the walls in this shack seemed flimsy, like they would barely hold the elements at bay let alone an intruder.


    Elwin came back to the bed and dipped the rag into the bucket. ¡°We have to get you cleaned up a little bit.¡± He cleaned the blood off Prin¡¯s face, and it took a good bit of scrubbing with the cold water to get most of the rapidly drying blood off. Prin closed his eyes tight and winced.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin said. He took Prin¡¯s hands next and scrubbed them as best he could.


    ¡°You keep having to clean up after me . . .¡± Prin said.


    ¡°So? I want to.¡± Elwin said. He rinsed the rag in the bucket. ¡°Here, you do Aster. And check her over for any other wounds. I have to figure out what to do.¡±


    The fairy still hovered close to Aster, giving off an anxious energy but not doing much to help.


    Aster shivered when Prin moved the covers aside.


    ¡°This is bad Elwin.¡± Prin said. He took a corner of the rag and gingerly dabbed at Aster¡¯s face. ¡°We have to do something.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know.¡± Elwin paced the floor. He went to the wardrobe and found a pile of clean white under things on the bottom. ¡°Do the best you can and then see if you can get her changed.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t right now, she¡¯s too cold.¡± Prin said. ¡°Help me Elwin.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡± Elwin bit his lip.


    ¡°Fire.¡± Aster said. ¡°Fire.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re cold.¡± Prin stopped trying with the cleaning rag and scooped Aster into his arms again. ¡°But we can¡¯t light a fire right now.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a suggestion.¡± Elwin said. ¡°We could burn down the evidence.¡± Suddenly, in that moment, it seemed like the only thing that made sense.


    ¡°You think?¡± Prin¡¯s voice had gone soft, he was mulling it over but didn¡¯t like it. ¡°Aster can you answer me? Aster are you there?¡± He crooned softly into the matted, half braided, half curled mass of red hair.


    Aster¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t open and she didn¡¯t reply.


    ¡°It¡¯ll all be okay now, you¡¯ll be okay.¡± Prin assured, holding her like a baby. ¡°I don¡¯t think this is good.¡± He directed at Elwin. ¡°We have to get out of here and get some help.¡±


    Elwin wondered how good a pile of fancy dresses would burn. He remembered hearing something at one point that they were quite flammable. A woman at a party had caught herself on fire and died after knocking over a candle, or something like that. But enough so to burn up a body into unrecognizability? That would be tough, but that¡¯s what he wanted.


    There were a couple of small oil lamps so he could use them, but it wouldn¡¯t be a lot of fuel. ¡°Aster, do you have any extra lamp oil in reserve anywhere?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You can¡¯t seriously be thinking of burning the place down.¡± Prin squeaked suddenly. ¡°What if it catches to the other buildings? With people sleeping inside? It¡¯s too risky.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll get out.¡± Elwin insisted. ¡°And the fire will probably be put out before it ever gets to the main house.¡± He went to the wardrobe and dug around again looking for a jug of lamp oil. He didn¡¯t find it, but there was a small trunk on wheels full of cloth, trim, lace, and other sewing notions. Elwin pulled it out of the bottom of the wardrobe and emptied the contents.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea.¡± Prin said. ¡°Let¡¯s pack a bag for Aster. Since she¡¯s not in any position to help . . . I wonder which dresses we should pack?¡± He sat Aster back down on the bed and tucked the blanket in around her. ¡°Aster? Aster? Wake up. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    Aster shivered and squeezed her eyes tighter shut.


    ¡°Can you hear me?¡± Prin asked. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re too weak to talk right now. That¡¯s okay, but if there¡¯s anything you want me to be sure and pack .  . .¡±


    ¡°I was thinking more along the lines of . . . hmm.¡± Elwin had a strange thought but almost hesitated to say it for fear of Prin¡¯s reaction.


    The trunk wasn¡¯t big enough to hold the man¡¯s body. And even if they could make it fit, there would still be the issue of all the blood. ALL THAT BLOOD. It was so much.


    However, the trunk may comfortably fit a much smaller person.

 Chapter 109

    ¡°No-oo, oh no no no. What are you thinking?¡± Prin groaned.


    ¡°It would be better if we aren¡¯t seen at all. But if we are, we can¡¯t be seen carrying Aster out of here. Is what I was thinking.¡± Elwin said. ¡°There¡¯s plenty of room. Aster is so short.¡±


    ¡°What if it hurts her? What if she can¡¯t breathe?¡± Prin stood up and positioned himself protectively between Elwin and Aster. The fairy joined him, hovering over his right shoulder.


    And if Elwin wasn¡¯t mistaken, he got the impression the little thing was glaring angrily at him.


    ¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡± Elwin said calmly. ¡°But we certainly don¡¯t have time to stand around and argue about it.¡±


    Prin crossed his arms in front of his chest. ¡°I don¡¯t like any of this.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Just ask her if she¡¯ll do it.¡± He gestured at Aster, who hadn¡¯t shown any particular signs that she would, or could, answer the question.


    Prin turned back to Aster. ¡°Oh what should we do? Do you want us to sneak you out of here in a trunk?¡± He suddenly got a stricken look on his face. ¡°I think . . . she may not want to go anywhere at all with me. Not ever again. This is basically kidnapping.¡±


    Elwin sighed. ¡°Well, as you already said, she can¡¯t be left here. Especially since . . .¡±


    ¡°Fire.¡± Aster said. She opened her eyes, but they were glittery, distant.


    ¡°Even if we don¡¯t burn it down, she may be seen as a murderer. Who would ever believe . . ?¡± Elwin continued.


    ¡°Yes, but who would believe Aster did this?¡± Prin said.


    ¡°I mean . . . no one with any sense.¡± Elwin said. The same no ones who would ever believe you did it yourself. Some people don¡¯t care about having any sense, and they are sometimes right.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got to go. One way or another, we¡¯ve got to go.¡± Elwin urged. He tossed some clothes on the floor near the body and poured lamp oil out on the clothes. A minty green dress with flourishes and ribbons in complimentary shades of pink, a jaunty asymmetrical hemline giving it extra flair. A yellow and white ruffled confection with a polka dotted under skirt, like an exotic lemon pastry. It did seem like a desecration of the highest order to destroy Aster¡¯s lovingly handmade creations. But he didn¡¯t have time to stand around and be sentimental about it.


    ¡°Oh wait, wait!¡± Prin said. He walked around the room wild-eyed and gesturing here and there with his hands. ¡°Aster¡¯s beautiful things . . ?¡±


    ¡°None of it matters all that much.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± Especially not if we let her die from blood loss and shock. But he didn¡¯t say this out loud.


    Prin sighed hard and took a deep breath. ¡°She¡¯s going to hate me after all this.¡± He said. But as he said it he wasn¡¯t standing around like a tree stump, he was going into action. He opened the wardrobe and found a cloth bag, for shopping maybe, and put Aster¡¯s robe and a clean set of bloomers and chemise. Then he went to the vanity and scooped small things out of the drawers, and took the journal that had been taped underneath. He picked up the kit of incense like pieces with a potent herbal, medicinal smell and picked the matches out, leaving the rest behind. He handed the box of matches to Elwin. ¡°Better than nothing I guess.¡±


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    ¡°She¡¯s not going to hate you.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Aster wants to leave this place. It¡¯s not like she wasn¡¯t looking for an opportunity.¡± He picked her up out of the bed, tucking the warm shawl around her as her eyes fluttered shut again.


    ¡°No, I mean, for before . . . what I did.¡± Prin said glumly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s angst about that later.¡± Elwin suggested. He sat Aster down gingerly in the trunk. She just fit with her knees bent, but it worked. The old lock had been busted out at some point, leaving a hole in the side. ¡°No need to worry about the breathing part.¡± He put the stuffed bunny in her arms for comfort. Suddenly thinking she looked like a child, which he guessed people more often did when they weren¡¯t well.


    Elwin went to the wall that faced the woods, or well, something desolate he hoped, he couldn¡¯t really remember, and looked for a weak spot. Something moved under his hand. There was a spot where the ramshackle wooden wall was both loose and wet from some sort of roof runoff or leak. ¡°Right here.¡±


    Prin put the meager bag of things in with Aster and went over to Elwin to see for himself. He pushed on the wall and his hand went through the mushy boards. ¡°Yuck.¡±


    Elwin broke it apart, enough so for both themselves and the trunk to fit through. He paused now and then to listen, to hear if any footsteps were coming toward them, or anyone seemed to be commenting on the commotion. Although he didn¡¯t think he was being very loud, all things considering.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Elwin took a deep breath and struck a match. ¡°Here I go.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s the right thing?¡± Prin chewed on his lower lip. His face pale above the gory landscape of his blood-stained clothing. Like a disaster victim, like the end of the world.


    ¡°No. But I think it¡¯s the only thing.¡± Elwin lit the pile of oil-soaked dresses. ¡°I just hope it burns well.¡± He quickly shut the lid on the trunk, and Aster¡¯s pale face like a painting of a dead queen, and pulled it out the hole in the shack¡¯s wall, herding Prin out ahead of him.


    Luckily Elwin¡¯s hunch had been right and behind the shack was a quiet stretch of trees. He felt a twinge of worry about the chance of the fire causing wider spread damage then he had thought. But what choice did he have? It was self preservation . . .


    Smoke was already crowding along behind them before they had disappeared into the woods.


    Just at the tree line Prin stooped and picked something up.


    ¡°Hurry, hurry, Prin.¡± Elwin urged. He was pulling the trunk along and it was no problem at all, it had probably weighed more with the sewing materials inside then it did now. Still, it was hard to make it go smoothly over the brush, and Aster was being very quiet. Unnervingly quiet. This could be a problem quiet.


    ¡°Sorry, I just ¨C Maybe it¡¯s Aster¡¯s.¡± Prin rolled something around between his fingers, and when Elwin got close enough to see it, it was a pink-gold ring that glinted in the morning light like watered down blood. It was tiny, and Prin put it on his pinky for safe keeping.


    ¡°She does have small fingers.¡± Elwin said, distracted. Now he was rolling the trunk over the knobly roots of old trees, trying to somehow roll it smooth and slow while still moving quickly. He resisted the urge to open the lid and peek inside. He could smell smoke although he couldn¡¯t see it anymore.


    ¡°Why are there always rings everywhere? Do people drop them that much? They fall off?¡± Prin was looking at his hands, and the four ¨C now five rings.


    ¡°I suppose so.¡± Elwin said. He wondered if they were going in the right direction. Wait, the right direction for what? Where were they trying to go, anyway? A tree branch smacked Prin, and then him. ¡°Oof.¡±


    ¡°They never fall off me.¡± Prin observed.


    ¡°We have to hurry.¡± Elwin said. Prin must know this already but he seemed to be getting distracted.


    ¡°But where the hell are we going?¡± Prin asked. He threw his hands up in the air in premature defeat and looked back at Elwin.


    He was very calm for someone accepting his own doom.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Elwin said, suddenly realizing it. ¡°But we have to get there faster.¡±


    The prince laughed. ¡°There is only one place we can go. Though I hate to further involve them.¡± He turned back towards the trees again and kept trudging. ¡°I guess they¡¯re in it up to their eyeballs already anyway.¡±


    Elwin wanted to argue but he could not. ¡°Do you really think they¡¯ll keep it a secret . . . that Aster is there . . . Or, the state, the state of us this morning? If the other one comes poking around . . .¡±


    ¡°The Captain will.¡± Prin said. ¡°And, of course, Valor. I don¡¯t know about the others.¡±


    ¡°The captain will help us.¡± Elwin didn¡¯t like to trust it, but what choice did they have at this point.

 Chapter 110

    The line of trees was brief, barely enough to call itself a woods. And on the other side was dirt packed road.


    Elwin worried about his diminutive captive in the box. Aster hadn¡¯t made a peep or sound so far. Not one loud enough for him to hear anyway. The, even more diminutive, fairy seemed to be likewise fretful, switching back and forth from riding on top of the trunk to fluttering aimlessly about in the air above it.


    Elwin wanted to run but of course there was no running with his trunk to carefully guide. And his prince unconfidently leading the way.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± Prin asked. He looked to the right and left, up and down the unfamiliar road.


    It took a moment for Elwin to orient himself. ¡°I think this is still in the right direction, just a couple of blocks away from the house.¡± He said.


    ¡°Nothing is too far away from anything.¡± Prin agreed. ¡°On this island.¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡± Elwin said. He resisted the urge to look in the box. There was no reason to do that now.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡± Prin marched out into the, mercifully deserted, road.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Elwin put his hand on Prin¡¯s arm. ¡°You can¡¯t go out there like that!¡±


    A loud bell sounded, like a temple gong, somewhere behind them, and Elwin thought he would jump out of his skin and dance around as a skeleton man in the middle of the road. ¡°Oh hell!¡±


    ¡°A fire bell?¡± Prin asked breathlessly, stepping back into the woods next to Elwin.


    ¡°Sure, of course.¡± Elwin looked back over his shoulder. Smoke curled through the trees like a beckoning hand.


    There went his first idea, leaving the two of them in the woods hidden and hurrying back to the captain¡¯s house for fresh clothes. The round trip would only take fifteen minutes, ten if he ran. But that was ten too long, under the circumstances.


    Elwin sighed. ¡°We can¡¯t hide. That leaves only one option.¡±


    ¡°Run.¡± Prin supplied.


    Elwin started to pull the trunk along, but realized it would be both impossible to go as quickly as he wanted as well as a dangerously tumultuous ride for the trunk¡¯s occupant. He had a brief moment to wonder what the hell his life had become before opening the trunk.


    He half expected to find her dead. Not realizing that it was almost a worse conundrum to not be able to immediately tell.


    Prin peered in over his shoulder, the two of them contemplating the paper white face, its pretty freckles standing out like constellations among a milky way of tangled cherry-red hair.


    ¡°She¡¯s alive.¡± Prin assured. ¡°Aster wouldn¡¯t go down like this.¡±


    Elwin cast a sideways glance at his love. ¡°If that¡¯s your reasoning . . .¡±


    ¡°We have to get out of here and get her help.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said. He reached in and picked up the limp rag doll from the trunk, tucking the shawl around her to cover as much as possible from prying eyes. There was little, well maybe a little?, warmth in the frail body. But that didn¡¯t mean hope was lost. Did it?


    He handed Prin the bag of possessions, and pushed the trunk into the underbrush with his foot, hoping to conceal it from casual onlookers.


    The two of them ran for sanctuary. And the journey there was a blur.


    It was still early enough in the morning, that Elwin could imagine (however delusionally) that they weren¡¯t seen. However, there was still the matter of getting into the house.


    Elwin held Aster close to his chest, like a sick kitten. ¡°Okay, where do we go?¡±


    Prin scanned the house. ¡°Follow me.¡± He went around back, the typical way they go to enter through the kitchen door.


    ¡°We can¡¯t go in the usual way! Mrs. Frances!¡± Elwin tried to whisper but it came out louder then if he hadn¡¯t tried at all. Despite his protests he followed Prin.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Here, umm, in here.¡± Prin went to the tool shed and opened the creaking door. He reached for Aster. ¡°Let me have her. You go in and figure out the best way to sneak us into the house. But we don¡¯t want to go back around to the front side of the house where the neighbors can see us, if they haven¡¯t already.¡±


    Elwin put Aster in Prin¡¯s arms. He thought he saw some movement from Aster, slight, but he couldn¡¯t be sure. ¡°Prin . . . if she¡¯s gone, we¡¯ll have to . . .¡± He couldn¡¯t even finish the thought, it was all too horrific.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that! It won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Prin said firmly. He held Aster with one arm and with the other hand pushed Elwin back out the door of the shed. ¡°Go.¡±


    Elwin floundered for a split second, turning in a circle in the yard like a broken compass. Alright, come on, you¡¯ve got this. He told himself.


    For some reason, it occurred to him that they needed Valor. They could count on Valor.


    Elwin had no idea why he thought this.


    He went to the kitchen door and went inside without knocking. He smiled feebly at the startled Mrs. Frances, who was busy with breakfast related tasks.


    Just as she opened her mouth to ask or offer something, he was gone again, into the house and up the stairs.


    Elwin knocked lightly on Valor¡¯s door, but entered without waiting for a reply.


    Valor was sitting up in bed with his hand on the window. The window was open a couple of inches and his disheveled rust-blond head was tilted towards it as though listening out the window.


    ¡°Were you running through the yard just now? Where¡¯s Prin?¡± Valor asked, cutting right to the point.


    ¡°He¡¯s -he¡¯s here. Oh gods.¡± Elwin didn¡¯t know what to do. He wanted to ask for help. But part of him felt like they were putting a terrible burden on Valor with each additional piece of forbidden knowledge they placed at his feet. Him, a literal child. But Elwin needed help. And he was sorry in advance.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Valor slid his icy blue eyes in Elwin¡¯s direction. He was alarmed, but exuded competence and calm.


    Thank gods someone did.


    ¡°Val, please, I¡¯ll explain everything but I don¡¯t have time. Do you think you can get your father to summon a doctor for an emergency? Please, a doctor who can keep his mouth shut.¡± Elwin said. He put his hands together in a pleading gesture that Valor, of course, couldn¡¯t see.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he would associate with any other kind.¡± Valor said. ¡°Is Prin hurt?¡±


    ¡°No, no, not Prin.¡± Elwin hated this. He would rather they could smuggle Aster in unnoticed somehow and care for her themselves, but that didn¡¯t seem like an option. ¡°But someone else is.¡± Elwin said. ¡°No one must know . . . anything, okay? It¡¯s life or death. Can you go get your father now. Tell him to send for a trusted doctor to come urgently and then meet back in this room.¡± Elwin went to the window and threw it further open. He looked out onto a shaded strip of grass at the back of the house. If they could only manage it . . .¡±


    Valor sat up straighter. Prin¡¯s lucky scratched coin necklace dangling in front of his soft grey night shirt. ¡°What has Prin done.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later. Do what I asked. I wouldn¡¯t have asked it of you if it wasn¡¯t urgent.¡± Elwin said.


    Valor threw back the covers and put his legs over the side of the bed. It was a bit of a distance but he hopped down quickly, no nonsense, meaning business. He shuffled his bare feet along the floor until he found some slippers to slip them into. ¡°My father will ask questions.¡±


    ¡°Let me come up with the best way to answer them.¡± Elwin said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. He put his cold hand on the boy¡¯s warm cheek. ¡°Are you okay to do this?¡± Only too late did he realize he had left a smudge of blood on Valor¡¯s white cheek, like badly applied rouge.


    Valor pulled away from him quickly. ¡°Of course!¡± He walked quickly to the door, feeling beside it where one of his walking sticks leaned, waiting. He turned back over his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t pity me.¡± He sneered.


    Elwin felt a laugh boiling up. This angry kitten. But he suppressed it. So as not to make the kitten angrier. It was a nervous inappropriate laugh anyway.


    ¡°I would never dream of it.¡± He said instead. ¡°I¡¯m depending on you right now, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    Valor nodded, his face relaxing back into its typical blankness. ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°Meet back in here.¡± Elwin reminded.


    Valor left first, and Elwin followed. They split in the hallway, and Elwin hurried back outside. Hoping Aster and Prin were still right where he left them.


    In the tool shed, Prin was sitting cross legged on the floor with his head leaned against a terracotta flower pot. Sleeping.


    Aster was laying with her head on his lap. Also asleep? Eyes closed anyway.


    Elwin put his hand above her mouth, trying to feel for a trace of breath.


    Suddenly Aster¡¯s eyes shot open, startling Elwin.


    Well, more like panicking him. Elwin¡¯s first instinct was to clamp his hand down hard over her mouth. Where had that notion come from!? It was too late now and already done. He quickly loosened his grip with a ¡°shh shh shh.¡± Raising his hand up and lowering it again until it rested much more gently against her mouth. If she wasn¡¯t thinking about screaming before, surely she would be now. This really was a kidnapping, wasn¡¯t it.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elwin said immediately. ¡°So-o sorry. You have no idea how sorry.¡±


    Aster¡¯s eyes remained wide, but she wasn¡¯t trying to bite him or flail around and get away. Which he supposed was a good thing.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get you somewhere more comfortable to rest. Okay? We just have to be . . . sneaky.¡± Elwin said. He removed his hand, adding one last. ¡°Shh.¡± For good measure. Before taking Prin¡¯s hand in his. ¡°Wake up, I¡¯m going to need some help.¡± He told Prin.


    Aster blinked at the two of them. ¡°Fire.¡± She said in a quiet, raspy voice.


    ¡°Been there, done that.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Thanks for the advice, though. I just don¡¯t think it applies equally to ALL situations.¡±


    Aster didn¡¯t seem to focus on him or acknowledge his words. She was in her own world of some sort, maybe hallucinating.


    Prin sat up slowly, clearly dragging his body kicking and screaming, so to speak, out of a sleep state. ¡°Where are we?¡± He slurred.


    ¡°Goddess help me.¡± Elwin mumbled. He looked around the shed, maybe an inanimate object would be of more help. If the gods were unwilling.


    There was a ladder, looking old but sturdy. If he could get them up the ladder and into Valor¡¯s room with the least chance of being seen. . .

 Chapter 111

    Elwin knew he had his work cut out for him. Even getting Prin and Aster out of the shed seemed like a monumental task at this point.


    Maybe the doctor could just come out here? No, that would just create more of a scene, more unanswerable questions.


    He left Aster on the floor and helped Prin to a standing position. ¡°Wake up, we have to go in Valor¡¯s window. It¡¯s the best way. This ladder should do it.¡±


    Prin wobbled on his feet but remained standing. He was clearly exhausted but, Elwin hoped, would be fine after a good long sleep and a change of clothes.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just go in the door?¡± Prin asked. His eyes were slightly crossed with the effort.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re covered in blood, and we also don¡¯t want people to see Aster. Remember?¡± Elwin spoke carefully, trying to be patient and maintain his composure. What good would it do to upset him?


    Prin gasped and raised his hands to his mouth. ¡°Oh, Aster!¡± His eyes grew wide as though suddenly waking up. Then they filled with tears.


    ¡°No, no, hey, it¡¯s okay.¡± Elwin put his arms around Prin and hugged him tight. ¡°She¡¯s okay. Valor is getting a doctor and we¡¯re going to meet back in his room, okay? Everything will be alright. We just . . . We have to get Aster out of this shed, okay?¡±


    ¡°Valor is?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Well . . . we¡¯ll see.¡± Elwin began to doubt himself. But, one foot in front of the other anyway. It was the only way to do it.


    Prin crouched down and touched Aster¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Is it hot?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°No . . . she¡¯s so cold.¡± Prin lamented.


    Aster slowly opened and shut her eyes and raised one hand but dropped it again quickly, as though that was all the strength she could muster. The scarf tied around her arm was saturated with deep red. The little fairy sat in Aster¡¯s hair. It would have been easy to miss her, except her wings causing movement that caught the eye, if you knew to look.


    The fairy seemed despondent. Although Elwin didn¡¯t know how he could presume to guess at her emotions.


    ¡°Alright, enough of this.¡± Elwin picked up the ladder. ¡°Just wait here a second.¡± It was somewhat heavy but more just awkward, and he couldn¡¯t carry this and Aster at the same time.


    He left the shed before Prin could come out with any protests or offer to help, and set the ladder up under Valor¡¯s window. He climbed up it, testing its solidness, and opened the window wider at the top. A peek into the room showed it as still deserted. Well, even the pirate king couldn¡¯t summon a doctor quite that fast, he supposed. But if he knew it was for Aster he would make it happen if he had to throw the doctor over his shoulder and carry him here. The image would have been amusing under other circumstances.


    Elwin had a wave of tiredness hit him but pushed it back. Not yet, not yet, just a little bit more to do. Then, he would sleep if it killed him. Or rather if it killed him or not.


    He scurried back to the shed, tired of running, tired of hurrying. And feeling more and more conspicuous for doing so.


    Prin was holding Aster in his arms like a baby, the tote bag thrown over his shoulder and ready to go.


    Aster seemed to have passed out again, which was probably a blessing.


    ¡°Alright, come on, we¡¯re almost home.¡± Elwin said, in what he hoped was an encouraging manner.


    Prin had a wobble in his step as he followed Elwin. ¡°I¡¯m just so tired.¡± Prin said.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Elwin supposed he was done rallying, having tapped just about all the deep reserves there could be. ¡°You can lay down soon.¡± Elwin answered. Digestion always did make him tired.


    He thought about taking Aster from Prin in fear that he would fall, but they were outside Valor¡¯s window before he had made up his mind.


    Elwin looked at them standing there, like the illustration from a book of scary stories. The monster, his precious face the only clean spot, shaking as he fought to remain standing, jewel-blue eyes far away.


    The fair maiden, as limp as a sack of flour in his arms. Looking for all the world already dead and conquered.


    Elwin shook his head to clear this sorry image from his mind¡¯s eye. Didn¡¯t work. ¡°Here.¡± He took Aster from Prin, the now soiled shawl dragging on the ground as he did so. How was he going to get here up there? Safely.


    Elwin picked up the shawl. ¡°Can we tie her to my body with this? Will it work? It¡¯s only a short climb.¡±


    Prin took it and helped tie Aster to Elwin¡¯s chest.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go second.¡± Prin said. ¡°Just in case . . .¡± He had focused enough to look concerned, but seemed to be conserving his words.


    ¡°In case?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°If she falls down, I¡¯ll catch her.¡± Prin said, somewhat grimly, Elwin thought.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let that happen.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But if it makes you feel better.¡± He felt that they had stalled enough and needed to get on with it.


    Elwin climbed the ladder. It was a little awkward but not as difficult as he had feared. At the top, he prepared to hoist himself and his passenger through the window.


    ¡°Hey! What the hells fire is going on here?¡± A voice boomed at him from the other side.


    Captain Thompson was standing there, looking none too pleased, his arms crossed and bushy red eyebrows meeting in the middle in a scowl.


    Elwin reared back in surprise and his foot slipped on a rung. Before he could fall or right himself, two large hands fell heavy on his shoulders and he was dragged up and over the window sill.


    ¡°Boy, are you daft? What are you doing?¡± The captain asked. ¡°What¡¯s this emergency, huh?¡±


    Valor sat perched on the corner of the bed, looking like a spring ready to jump to attention at the drop of a pin. He was biting his lip, probably to keep from asking a play by play of what was happening.


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t call for a doctor without seeing the situation for himself.¡± Valor said. ¡°I tried.¡±


    ¡°What have you got there?¡± The captain had a look of bafflement that was slowly morphing into dark wonder, a sort of horrified enchantment. He leaned in close.


    ¡°Help me untie this.¡± Elwin grasped at the knot in the shawl.


    Captain Thompson untied the knot and took Aster from Elwin. She must have looked for all the world like a bundle of blood stained rags.


    ¡°What have you done?¡± The Captain asked, in a hushed voice as though afraid of waking her.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it looks.¡± Elwin said, his sentence running together into one mutant word, practically unintelligible. He was afraid the captain would pick him up and throw him head first out the window. ¡°Still pretty bad though.¡±


    ¡°Wha--? How?¡± Captain Thompson stuttered. A man rarely at a loss for words, but this had done it. He held Aster like she was made of glass and brushed her matted hair away from her face. ¡°Rose? Aster Rose? Can you hear me?¡± He asked, calling in a soft whisper.


    Aster didn¡¯t show any sign of hearing his pleas.


    ¡°There was an attack.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It¡¯s her arm, you really have to call that doctor.¡± He looked out the window and motioned Prin to come up.


    Prin climbed the ladder and Elwin helped him in through the window when he reached the top.


    He waited until Prin got in to continue, hoping he would hear and go along with what Elwin was saying.


    ¡°Prin had to save Aster from an attack, and . . . the man was accidentally killed in the midst of a fire. We didn¡¯t want Aster to get blamed for anything so we brought her here to hide, it seemed like the only thing to do.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Everyone is so tired.¡± Elwin put his arm around Prin. ¡°Please, get that doctor. One that won¡¯t tell about seeing Aster here.¡±


    ¡°Now wait a second.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°Excuse me son.¡± He stepped past Valor and laid Aster out on his big bed. ¡°I need to know what we¡¯re working with here, injury wise.¡±


    Elwin closed the window, it was letting in a chill breeze, and went to Aster. ¡°It¡¯s here.¡± He lifted the scarf bandaged arm. ¡°But I really don¡¯t think ¨C¡±


    Captain Thompson picked up a bag off the floor, like a small suitcase and opened it up revealing a well stocked first aid kit. ¡°Never mind that. I bet it¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t handle myself. I stitched up plenty of sails, and quite a few men who met the nasty end of a sword and lived to tell about it. Well . . . mostly they lived to tell about it.¡±


    He squeezed Aster¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯ll be alright, pet. Just leave everything to me.¡±


    ¡°I thought Aster wasn¡¯t allowed to come in the house.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Aster doesn¡¯t work there anymore.¡± Prin said darkly.


    Captain Thompson began to unwrap the scarf from Aster¡¯s arm. ¡°You boys can leave the room if you¡¯re squeamish.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that will be necessary.¡± Valor said. ¡°They can handle it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The dark headed one is looking a bit queasy.¡± The captain teased. He took a look at Aster¡¯s arm before covering it back up and applying pressure with his hand. ¡°More¡¯n anything this looks like a bite.¡±

 Chapter 112

    ¡°The unevenness of the edges. The deeper area in the center.¡± Captain Thompson mused. ¡°Looks a bit like a shark bite. Where the shark didn¡¯t like the taste and let go right quick.¡± He allowed himself a chuckle. ¡°Not that anything about you isn¡¯t sweet as candy. If I was a shark I¡¯d eat you right up.¡±


    ¡°Father, he¡¯s unconscious. Your flirting is like screaming into the void.¡± Valor said.


    Captain Thompson sighed. ¡°You¡¯ll understand when you¡¯re older.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Can you fix it?¡± Prin asked. He sat down hard on the edge of the bed, as though all the steam went out of him and he was lucky to be moving at all. Almost rusted in place.


    ¡°Sure, sure, of course.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°It might not be pretty . . . which I¡¯m sorry for in advance.¡± He shrugged. ¡°But probably ¡®bout as good as anyone on this island could do. Without fetching an expert from the mainland, I mean. And if it¡¯s a matter of not blabbing, I wouldn¡¯t trust anyone. Not completely. Doc is gossipy as an old hen.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s had to stitch me up before.¡± Valor volunteered.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. There¡¯s been a few mishaps that your old pops had to deal with personally. It¡¯s just like repairing an old quilt.¡± His father teased. ¡°No problem at all.¡±


    The captain took a solution from a bottle and wet a rag with it, causing a strong medicinal smell to permeate the air. ¡°Don¡¯t breathe too deeply lads, this is to knock out the patient and keep them still for the procedure. A lesson I learnt the hard way long ago.¡± He placed the rag gently over Aster¡¯s nose and mouth for a moment until he felt it had sufficiently done its job. ¡°They tend to wake up screaming when you stick the needle in, otherwise.¡±


    Prin sniffled like he was about to cry.


    ¡°You fellows seem like you¡¯ve been through the ringer yourselves, why don¡¯t you go on and get cleaned up and get some rest? I can handle this on my own.¡± Captain Thompson said.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Elwin protested. ¡°Prin . . . could use the rest.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t! Not until I¡¯m sure that Aster will be okay.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°You sitting there like yer gonna fall apart won¡¯t help anything.¡± The captain pointed out. He got out another bottle and poured a generous swig of alcohol out over the wound.


    Valor scooted over closer to Prin and reached out until he felt his arm. ¡°The real danger will come from infection. Aster will need you then, to be well rested and vigilant, right?¡± He sniffed. ¡°And clean. Infection comes from dirt.¡±


    ¡°I stink, huh?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Only literally.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Come on, Prinny, we should go get you cleaned up and to bed.¡± Elwin said, as gently as he could muster. Felling a little frustrated. He reached for Prin¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Is there anything else I can do, or bring, first?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°After she helps you with the hot water for your bath, have Mrs. Frances bring some here.¡± The Captain said. ¡°You know, she¡¯s getting on in years, really should hire someone with strong young arms to help her out . . .  Of course, I would trust that old bird with my life and then some! So it¡¯s good that she¡¯s the one here under the circumstances.¡±


    ¡°Will do.¡± Elwin said, planning to help her carry it himself. He took Prin¡¯s hand and led him to the door.


    Once in the hallway, Prin hesitated. His expression was anguished, but not as much so as it would be if it weren¡¯t dulled down by exhaustion. ¡°Should we really leave Aster alone? What if she needs us?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine, she¡¯s in good hands.¡± Elwin said. The Captain seemed confident in his skills, and Elwin sure hoped he had the goods to back it up.


    Prin walked along with Elwin toward their room. ¡°I don¡¯t know what Aster will think when she wakes up. I¡¯m not sure she would be comfortable being here.¡± He fretted. ¡°Not that she would want to see my face on waking up either . . .¡±


    ¡°Do you think she wouldn¡¯t want to be alone with Captain Thompson?¡± Elwin asked. ¡°Valor will be there too. And it¡¯s not like . . . it¡¯s not like she¡¯s working right now. The circumstances are completely different.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think the captain would do anything rude . . .¡± Prin said. ¡°It¡¯s just . . . I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go back after you get settled and check in with them.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But you know, I honestly don¡¯t think Captain Thompson would ever do anything to Aster to make her uncomfortable.¡±


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not what I mean.¡± Prin said, although he still looked troubled.


    When they got back to their room, Elwin went and got the tub and bathing things. He decided it was for the best that Mrs. Frances not see Prin in his current state. It might be too memorable. He decided to carry the hot water and make up the bath himself. It would hardly be the first time he had done this for his prince.


    He tried to allow himself the deep breaths that had been eluding him. His chest was tight, though, and he didn¡¯t feel the danger was passed enough to relax. Of course it wasn¡¯t.


    Elwin helped Prin out of his filthy clothes, they would have to be burned or something, along with the jackets from the party he suddenly remembered. Yes, they had made enough of a mess for themselves on this small island. It was beyond time to move on. He was starting to feel claustrophobic, trapped by trouble and misdeeds. But he didn¡¯t blame Prin for anything. It was not in his nature to do so, and he was alright with that.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Prin silently soaked in the bath, allowing Elwin to scrub the stubborn spots of blood from his skin. He was so quiet, in fact, that Elwin began to worry.


    Prin had fallen asleep. His head dipped forward, touching his chest. There was a bruise on his face, Elwin noticed, while admiring the beads of water trapped in his dark eyelashes, near the hair line. And on closer examination, more bruises on his arms and shoulders.


    ¡°Alright, up you go.¡± Elwin helped him out of the tub and patted him dry before tucking him into bed wrapped in a blanket.


    He knew he had been fooling himself if he thought this life was sustainable. The mental and physical toll was too extreme. They had to go after the witch and find a cure. A cure for the cure. Or, some even more powerful magic user. If someone had done this to his sweet Prin, someone could undo it.


    Elwin planted a kiss on Prin¡¯s cheek before hurrying away again to go get hot water for Captain Thompson. He was tired too, but he would make sure the situation with Aster was stabilized before sleeping. It¡¯s what Prin would want him to do. But also, he found himself to be more attached to the diminutive red head then he would have thought. Then again, he supposed it was her job to make people fond of her, and she did it well.


    When Elwin returned to Valor¡¯s room with a bucket of hot water, towels, and soap, he was just in time to see Captain Thompson holding up Aster¡¯s arm and admiring his handiwork.


    The stitches were black and zig zagged over the thin arm in almost an ugly semi bracelet, it would be sure to leave an interesting looking scar. But, Aster was no longer leaking and Elwin was relieved to have missed the operation entirely.


    ¡°Took ya long enough, boy.¡± The captain chided.


    Valor was holding Aster¡¯s other arm, with his fingers over her wrist, perhaps timing her pulse from there.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Valor said. ¡°Are you sure he hasn¡¯t lost too much blood? Hands are cold and pulse seems weak, but what do I know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure of any such thing, but what can we do about it?¡± Thompson said. ¡°Want to share some of your blood?¡± He teased.


    ¡°No, I might need it.¡± Valor said, in all seriousness.


    Captain Thompson ruffled his son¡¯s hair. ¡°I know you would give it if you could.¡±


    ¡°No I wouldn¡¯t.¡± Valor protested. There was a little color in his cheeks. Was he blushing?


    ¡°We have to save her.¡± Elwin said firmly. ¡°What can I do?¡± He would gladly give some of his own blood to Aster if he only knew how to go about it. Was that a thing that was actually done?


    ¡°Of course we will.¡± Captain Thompson said softly. He kissed the back of Aster¡¯s limp hand. ¡°Bring the water over.¡±


    Elwin brought the water bucket to the side of the bed where the captain was sitting in a straight backed wooden chair.


    The captain dipped in a rag and dabbed at the damaged arm. ¡°I will go out shortly and get some elixirs and draughts to strengthen the blood and stave off infection. Other then that it¡¯s just a matter of time and care. The blood left inside will multiply itself, like rabbits, until all the little baby blood drops fill the hutch and it¡¯s back to normal levels. It just takes time.¡±


    Valor pulled a face. ¡°Gross.¡±


    ¡°Here, son, make yourself useful.¡± Captain Thompson handed a towel dipped in water to Valor.


    Valor, hesitantly washed the arm that he was holding.


    Elwin spotted the bag of Aster¡¯s possessions under the window where Prin had left it and brought it over to sit on the bed. ¡°Prin grabbed a few things but there wasn¡¯t much time.¡± He pulled out the clean under things. Laying the white lace trimmed bloomers on the bed and putting the chemise back in the bag. ¡°Aster usually just sleeps in these.¡±


    Captain Thompson narrowed his eyes at Elwin, as though to say, how do you know that?


    Before the line of inquiry could begin, Elwin started his own. ¡°Is it . . . okay that she hasn¡¯t woken up yet?¡±


    ¡°The ether should be wearing off.¡± The captain said. ¡°That arm is going to hurt like a harpy when he does wake up though. I¡¯ll have to get some pain medicine too.¡± He put his big hand on Aster¡¯s cheek and leaned in close. ¡°Can you hear me, love?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s better this way for now?¡± Valor chewed on his lower lip.


    Captain Thompson got a small vial out of his doctoring kit. ¡°Smelling salts. Let¡¯s try this.¡± He uncorked it and put it under Aster¡¯s nose.


    Aster had no reaction for a long moment, then wrinkled her nose at the smell, scrunching her face up cutely.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll quit, just so long as yer in there.¡± The captain said gently. He put the smelling salts away. ¡°Let¡¯s finish getting you cleaned up then.¡± He redipped his rag and washed Aster¡¯s face and neck. ¡°Come on pretty one, bear with me a minute.¡± He started to pull the stained chemise off over Aster¡¯s head, then turned and glared at Elwin. ¡°You boys don¡¯t need to be here for this part.¡± He cast his son a pitying look. ¡°Well, I guess it¡¯s no harm for you to stay.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for remembering I¡¯m blind.¡± Valor said dryly.


    ¡°Oh, ha ha.¡± Captain Thompson said.


    Elwin turned away from them. ¡°I won¡¯t look.¡± He felt infinitely silly. But he did it for the captain¡¯s benefit, who seemed to be getting irritable.


    ¡°You know Rose is not actually a girl.¡± Valor pointed out.


    ¡°Of course I know that, son.¡± The captain said. ¡°But he¡¯s still a lady.¡±


    ¡°Is that something else I¡¯ll understand when I¡¯m older?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°If yer lucky.¡± The captain replied. ¡°Alright, all done.¡±


    Elwin turned back around to see Aster redressed in the fresh white bloomers and chemise. The captain was applying salve and bandages to the now much cleaner stitched up arm.


    ¡°That oughta do it.¡± He said. He stood up abruptly from his wooden chair. ¡°I had better go out for supplies now. I¡¯ve done all I can do here with what we got to work with.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving? But ¨C¡± Valor, who had been sitting cross legged on the big bed on the other side of Aster, gestured at her. As though to say, leaving me with this?


    ¡°I need you to do me a favor, Valor. Seriously.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°Hmm. What is it?¡± Valor asked, not willing to commit to anything that could be a surprise.


    Elwin didn¡¯t blame him.


    ¡°You have to stay by Aster Rose¡¯s side and watch him. I mean¡ªYou know what I mean.¡± Captain Thompson went around to the other side of the bed and took his son¡¯s hand in his. ¡°You¡¯re the only one I trust with the job. If Rose wakes up, keep him calm and still as good as you can. You and your cat friends stay by his side and keep him warm and cozy, right? I¡¯m counting on you for this.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Don¡¯t patronize me. I¡¯m not a kid.¡± Valor¡¯s cheeks were definitely pink this time.


    Captain Thompson laughed. ¡°I know you¡¯re not. A little shy around Rose, are ya? It¡¯s only natural at yer age. Just share your room for a bit and when I get back I¡¯ll work on clearing out one of the guest rooms and making it suitable.¡± He made a face at Elwin, it would clearly not be easy to reclaim that guest room.


    ¡°I¡¯m not shy.¡± Valor said firmly.


    ¡°I have to go.¡± The captain said, giving his son one last pat on the head before going toward the door. ¡°I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can. You.¡± He pointed at Elwin. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Elwin reluctantly followed him out into the hallway. With the feeling he had on the rare occasion he was about to be in trouble with his parents.


    After he had closed the door to Valor¡¯s room, the captain turned to Elwin with a ferocious look. ¡°I don¡¯t know what exactly happened or how but you¡¯d better get your story straight for when I get back. I want all the details. I want to know the name of the man who hurt my Aster Rose.¡± He leaned in close for emphasis, his red beard coming toward Elwin like a beckoning hand. ¡°And if you pups didn¡¯t actually kill him already . . . he¡¯s a dead man.¡±

 Chapter 113

    Elwin had not been sure he could sleep, maybe ever again, after what the captain said. He planned to check on Prin and then go back to Valor¡¯s room to keep an eye on those two.


    However, as soon as he sat down next to the sleeping Prin a tiredness came over him that weighed a thousand tons and he was forced to lay down and give in to it.


    Some time later, between twenty minutes and a day, who knew, Elwin woke up with a sense of looming anxiety bordering on panic.


    Prin was still asleep beside him. Elwin breathed a momentary sigh of relief, wondering if he had just awoken from a bad dream and in the waking world everything was fine and always had been.


    Prin¡¯s eyes shot open, and the sparking blue of them bored into Elwin¡¯s own.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Elwin asked. He reached out to touch Prin, dropping his hand when Prin shrunk away from him. ¡°It¡¯s okay, everything¡¯s okay.¡± He didn¡¯t know if this was true or not as he said it.


    ¡°How¡¯s Aster?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t . . . what time is it?¡± Elwin had no idea how long it had been since he saw Aster, the reality of the situation only just now flooding back to him.


    ¡°You have to go.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to . . . scare her.¡±


    ¡°What exactly did happen? Do you remember ¨C¡± Elwin stopped, seeing the stricken look in Prin¡¯s eyes he suddenly didn¡¯t want to know any more. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll go. No problem.¡± He reached out and touched Prin¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯ll report back soon, okay?¡±


    Prin nodded, chewing on his lower lip.


    Elwin got out of bed. He did feel somewhat rested but definitely could have slept more.


    In the hallway, Dru almost ran into him coming quickly around a corner and jumped in surprise. As though he was the one to almost run over her. She was wearing baggy men¡¯s pants with suspenders and her hair was disheveled.


    ¡°Oh hey!¡± Dru said. ¡°Can you tell me what the hell is going on around here? You seem like you know something.¡±


    ¡°Listen, uh . . . just don¡¯t worry about it, okay?¡± Elwin said, having no stock response prepared for this moment. ¡°The less you know the better.¡± He kept walking as he said it, hoping to lose her on the way to Valor¡¯s room.


    ¡°That¡¯s usually my line.¡± Dru said lightly. But, she didn¡¯t follow him, standing still in the middle of the hallway as he got ahead of her.


    Good.


    Elwin went ahead to Valor¡¯s room, not wasting too much time thinking about Dru, even though he didn¡¯t trust her. She would find out about their houseguest eventually, it was inevitable. If she hadn¡¯t already. So there was no use going to extreme measures to try and hide it.


    He knocked lightly on the door before letting himself in.


    It was an interesting tableau to be sure.


    Aster was sitting in bed, propped up by what looked like every pillow in the house, or maybe on the island. She had a colorful knit blanket wrapped around her shoulders and she appeared to be trembling and sweating, pale skin slick with it. But, she was smiling.


    Valor sat beside her combing out her hair slowly with a wide tooth comb. She flinched on occasion when a tangle was hit, but was trying not to show it bothered her.


    ¡°I¡¯m helping.¡± Valor said dryly. His face showed that he also didn¡¯t imagine himself featuring in such an odd scene. He was as surprised as anyone. But with a face that said nothing really surprised him too much anymore, even this.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Captain Thompson sat in his straight backed chair pulled up right next to the bed, with a tray on long spindly legs by his side. The tray was full of foods; little bite size delicacies, and fresh fruit, and warm bread with butter and jam, and steaming mugs of tea. He was holding a bowl of hearty smelling beef broth in his hands and a spoon.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel right to eat just now.¡± Aster said. Her voice started strong with the word I, but then shook up and down in the center of the sentence like a boat on the waves and then trailed away by the end, like something unfinished and carried away on the breeze.


    ¡°Just a little broth, sweetness, it wont hurt ya none.¡± The captain was cajoling. ¡°It¡¯ll help the medicine go down better without leavin¡¯ you a sour stomach. I¡¯ve done a lot of nursing in my day, so I¡¯m not talkin out my ass.¡± He looked away, abashed. ¡°¡¯scuse me for the blue language.¡±


    Aster laughed weakly. ¡°If you heard how the girls at the brothel talk, you wouldn¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ve heard it all, and said half of it myself.¡± She put her be-ringed hand, still tinged with red that hadn¡¯t washed totally away, on his wrist. ¡°You might not even like me if you knew me like they do.¡±


    ¡°Oh bullshit.¡± The captain said gruffly. ¡°I know you. I know you better than you realize.¡±


    ¡°Hi, Elwin!¡± Aster waved at him, just noticing him standing in the doorway.


    Elwin hesitantly came over. ¡°I¡¯m a little surprised to see you . . . looking so well.¡±


    ¡°No I don¡¯t look well. You liar.¡± Aster said dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m about to scare away my best client, before you so rudely interrupted.¡± She winked at him, then took a long shuddering breath.


    ¡°He aint through it yet.¡± Captain Thompson said, somewhat ominously. ¡°Maybe a bit loopy from the various medications.¡± He sat down the soup and pushed Aster gently against the pillows. ¡°Rest a minute, just rest. You¡¯re overdoing it on the talking.¡±


    ¡°Always did have a loud mouth.¡± Aster mumbled. She threw one arm up over her face dramatically.


    Valor sat down the hair brush and plucked a wet rag from a bowl on the side table, rang it out and draped it over Aster¡¯s head. ¡°Are you hot? Or cold?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Am I?¡± Aster wondered.


    One of the black cats, Elwin had long since forgotten their names, sauntered over from Valor¡¯s side of the bed and licked the salt from Aster¡¯s arm.


    ¡°That tickles.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Shoo, on with ya.¡± Captain Thompson waved his hand at the cat. Who gave him a disdainful green eyed look.


    ¡°S¡¯alright.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°You¡¯re a guest in my room, father.¡± Valor said coldly.


    ¡°Speaking of, I guess I should go work on getting Aster¡¯s room ready.¡± The Captain said.


    ¡°For me? Awww  .  . .¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I supposed he could stay in mine in the mean time.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°No, Aster can stay here.¡± Valor decided. ¡°He¡¯s too weak to be moved. It¡¯s comfy in here, right Aster?¡±


    ¡°Say, you are just a little sweetie pickle after all.¡± Aster said. ¡°Cornelius, why does he look like that?¡±


    ¡°Look like what, darling?¡± The captain picked the soup back up and scooped a spoonful of the thin broth. ¡°Open up.¡±


    Aster opened her mouth and allowed herself to be fed a bite of soup. ¡°Nothing like you! Is he adopted? Oops, maybe I¡¯m not supposed to ask that.¡± Aster giggled behind her hand.


    ¡°No, of course not.¡± Captain Thompson said. ¡°They both just favor their mother in the looks department. Not in personality though, more¡¯s the pity.¡±


    ¡°He always says that.¡± Valor pointed out. ¡°To emphasis that she was sweet and we both have terrible personalities. I think, it¡¯s more about the raising then the birthing though. When it comes to that. And who raised us?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Frances.¡± The captain teased. ¡°I¡¯m sorry son. I didn¡¯t mean to make you feel that way.¡±


    Valor blinked, clearly taken aback.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be honest with ya, she wasn¡¯t always sweet either.¡± Captain Thompson said thoughtfully. ¡°She had a determined streak, borderin¡¯ on the just plain mule headed. And she didn¡¯t like to clean, ever, preferring to be the one making the mess. She would bring in leaves and flowers for decorating projects and leave em around unfinished. And she loved books more then people.¡±


    ¡°No one is always sweet.¡± Aster said. ¡°Unless they aren¡¯t too bright maybe.¡±


    Elwin sat down on the edge of the bed. He could tell by the look on Valor¡¯s face that this was mostly, if not all, new information. That the dead mother was rarely spoken of, especially in less then vaguely glowing terms.


    ¡°She could also tell a great dirty joke!¡± The captain guffawed at the memory, sloshing a bit of soup out onto his shirt.


    ¡°I think I would have liked her!¡± Aster said.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough now.¡± Valor held up his hand. ¡°Aster needs to rest.¡± He pointed out, as a way of halting the conversation that was rapidly devolving into embarrassment.


    ¡°Of course, yer right.¡± The captain scooped up one more bite of soup and offered it to Aster. ¡°Here ya go.¡±


    Aster opened up and took the bite of soup obediently, and the captain sat the bowl down and stood up. He stretched his arms up over his head. ¡°I better go work on some things. Valor, you see that Aster gets that rest, eh? No staying up all night chit chatting and giggling.¡± He snickered at the image. ¡°I¡¯ll check in on ya later.¡±


    ¡°Good night, Corny.¡± Aster said sweetly.


    He bent down and kissed her forehead, ¡°Good night to you too. Speak up if you need anything. There is more pain medicine in the side table drawer, just don¡¯t over do it.¡±


    The captain nodded at Elwin on his way out the door, and to Elwin¡¯s vast relief, did not call him out into the hallway to further explain himself.


    Valor took the wash rag and re-dipped it in the bowl of cool water.


    Once Captain Thompson was out of the room, with the door closed behind him, Aster sat up straighter and her dark eyes wide pupiled but alert sought Elwin¡¯s.


    ¡°How the hell did I get here?¡± Aster asked.

 Chapter 114

    ¡°Through the window.¡± Elwin cocked his thumb in the direction of the bedroom window, in case it needed pointed out.


    ¡°Can confirm.¡± Valor added. ¡°Although I didn¡¯t see it, obviously. It seemed like it was all very dramatic.¡±


    ¡°Through the . . .¡± Aster gazed through the window for a moment before turning back to Valor and putting her hand on his cheek, leaning in closer. ¡°You¡¯re so cu-uute.¡±


    ¡°I doubt it.¡± Valor said, leaning away. ¡°Aster is hallucinating.¡±


    ¡°Silly.¡± Aster waved at him. ¡°Silly boy. Do I offend? Do I stink?¡±


    Valor wriggled his nose at her. ¡°A little, sweat and blood. It¡¯s not that though, I just don¡¯t li- I don¡¯t . . . to be touched unnecessarily.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hallucinating.¡± Aster assured. ¡°But I might be drunk. What was in that medicine?¡± She waved her hand again. ¡°Eh, don¡¯t tell me. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°You . . . lost a lot of blood. It would be bound to make you feel weird and light headed.¡± Elwin said cautiously. He put his hand to her forehead to gage her temperature. It felt cool to the touch. ¡°No fever.¡±


    ¡°It would be too soon for infection to set in. Does your arm hurt?¡± Valor asked. He had scooched a little further away on the bed from Aster, while still inclining his head toward her in concern.


    ¡°My arm?¡± Aster unwrapped the bandage and looked down at the zig zag of stiches like angry black teeth. ¡°It just feels tight, I guess.¡±


    ¡°That would be the medicine.¡± Valor nodded sagely. ¡°You came to the right place. My father may not be the best surgeon in the world but he will do his best to keep you happy while you recuperate. He has . . . more attachment to you then just what he has paid money for.¡±


    Elwin thought that was a weird way to phrase it, though anyone could see that the captain wore his feelings on his sleeve regarding Aster. He was curious where this was going.


    ¡°I kno-oow.¡± Aster sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a side effect of my line of work.¡±


    Elwin went to Aster and redid the bandage. ¡°Best to leave it alone.¡± He said.


    Aster leaned against Elwin. ¡°Thank you.¡± She said, although it wasn¡¯t clear if it was for the bandage, the concern, or other things. ¡°You are so kind, I can see why Pr¡ª¡± Aster cut herself off in the middle and seemed to trail off in confusion.


    What was she thinking about when she thought of Prin? Did she not remember some, or all of what had happened? If so it could be a temporary effect of being heavily medicated. Elwin knew better then to count on it, but at the same time he didn¡¯t want to do or say anything to trigger the memories.


    Luckily, Valor had distraction covered.


    ¡°If you think you could grow to love him, you could just stay with us forever.¡± Valor said thoughtfully. ¡°And eat good food, and wear fine clothes, and never have to work at all. I don¡¯t think I would mind, is what I¡¯m saying. As long as my father is happy.¡±


    ¡°Awww.¡± Aster launched herself at Valor and scooped him into an unwilling hug. ¡°Stay with you forever? I don¡¯t know why anyone ever thought you were a bad boy. You are such a good boy.¡± She rocked him in her arms and nuzzled her face into his hair.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    While Valor¡¯s pale cheeks turned red and the fine hairs on his arms stood on end. If he had been a cat, which Elwin half thought he was, he would have scratched her in the face.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t be your new mama.¡± Aster said sweetly, still holding him tightly in her arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Valor wedged his arms in between them and pushed her roughly away. ¡°I know! No one asked you to!¡±


    ¡°Gentle!¡± Elwin said, as though talking to a young child who didn¡¯t know his strength. ¡°Aster is injured and doesn¡¯t half know what she¡¯s doing.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re practically the same age as my sister. And a boy!¡± Valor said. ¡°Also I¡¯m grown and don¡¯t need one!¡± He crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind. I couldn¡¯t stand to have you around after all.¡±


    Aster frowned. ¡°You¡¯re mad at me, aren¡¯t you?¡± She was holding her injured arm, squeezing the bandaged area.


    ¡°Settle down you two.¡± Elwin held back on saying the word, kids, although he was thinking it. He pried Aster¡¯s hand off her arm, and lifted her to put her back down again under the covers with her head against the pillows. ¡°Shh, he¡¯s not mad.¡± Elwin fibbed, smoothing Aster¡¯s hair away from her face. ¡°Take a nap now.¡±


    ¡°I am so mad.¡± Valor said.


    Aster blinked slowly, a sleepiness finally overtaking her. ¡°Have you ever been to a place like I work, little one?¡± She asked, her voice slurring, sliding around like a piece of cheese on a slippery cracker. ¡°I bet you don¡¯t even know what goes on in there.¡±


    ¡°Of course I do.¡± Valor said, forcefully but not as angry, his voice softening as he remembered he was dealing with someone who was far from at her best at the moment. ¡°I¡¯m not as innocent as you think.¡±


    ¡°In a couple years, whenever you¡¯re ready, I¡¯ll introduce you to some girls you will really like, or not girls if you prefer.¡± Aster said, half asleep but still trying to continue the conversation, though it was unclear whether she was trying to console Valor or pick on him. ¡°Some of the best lovers are not necessarily the prettiest ones, present company excluded I hope! So-oo you have an advantage in not choosing one by looks . . .¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need any help with that, thanks.¡± Valor said dryly.


    ¡°I kno-oow, it¡¯s just an offer. I¡¯m trying to be nii-ice.¡± Aster waved at him dismissively. ¡°Plus, it¡¯s a good learning experience. Plenty of rich men¡¯s sons . . .¡±


    Aster¡¯s half lidded eyes fell closed mid sentence and she snuggled into the pillows.


    ¡°She¡¯s asleep.¡± Elwin said, keeping his voice soft and quiet.


    ¡°Thank the gods.¡± Valor tilted his head to the ceiling, as though pale eyes implored a heavenly being on his behalf. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much more of that I can take.¡±


    ¡°The medication loosens your inhibitions.¡± Elwin said, by way of making apologies. ¡°I know when Prin would be really sick and we would have to bring out the stronger tonics, he would say funny half dreaming things. Try to be patient.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my strong suit.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I know but . . . Aster was right, you are a good boy.¡± Elwin said. He thought he had seen progress in Valor even in the short time they had known him. But he tended to have a soft spot for the needy ones. The troublesome ones.


    ¡°Oh shut up.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°I think that was really nice what you said about wanting your father to be happy and all.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Of course I do.¡± Valor said. ¡°He wants the same for me, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin said. ¡°He does.¡±


    ¡°How is Prin?¡± Valor asked, bluntly, like he had been holding it in for the right moment.


    ¡°He¡¯s okay. He¡¯s sleeping.¡± Elwin said. ¡°He always gets really tired when he . . .¡± Elwin really didn¡¯t want to finish that sentence, so he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°No, I mean, did he really do this?¡± Valor inclined his head in the direction of the sleeping Aster. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Because he always made me . . . He always talked very highly of Aster.¡±


    ¡°Aster is one of his favorite people in the world.¡± Elwin agreed.


    Valor shook his head. ¡°Then why did he do it?¡±


    Elwin glanced at the door behind himself, and the sleeping Aster, before lowering his voice further. ¡°I haven¡¯t got it out of him yet, if he even knows himself.¡±


    ¡°Is this an escalation?¡± Valor wondered. ¡°So none of us are safe?¡±


    Elwin was silent a moment, trying his damnedest to formulate an even remotely upbeat answer to this question, to take the sting out of it by even a fraction. After all, the cursed Prin, the hungry one, the other side Prin, had several chances to take him out in the past and had never done it. He had almost thought it never would, that there was some invisible boundary that would be too far even for it to pass.


    He was wrong.


    ¡°None of us are safe.¡± Elwin said.

 Chapter 115

    Elwin wondered how much time they had. How much time could they drag their feet and stay with the captain before someone came and bashed down the door with a team of dogs to do a search? Or someone, probably one of the girls, ran off at the mouth while partying in town and someone figured out a little too much that way?


    The frustrating thing was, it could be anywhere between an hour and eternity. After all, who would go against the captain by invading his house? He was fairly sure that this island was the kind of place where no one really had the authority to do that. And as a former pirate captain, both the respect level and fear level people would have for him . . . might keep them away? Unless an angry mob formed. How many people around here, influential people, held Freya in high esteem? Depended on her advice?


    For that matter, how many would be looking for Aster?


    Only one would be looking for Hobbs.


    Elwin moved aside the curtain barely an inch and peered into the front yard. He wondered if Crow was watching them right now. Surely, not enough time passed for him to realize that his partner was gone and never coming back. It was dusk now, somehow the day had passed and he felt all alone with his worries.


    Prin slept. Aster slept. Though it was a good thing, Elwin thought. But he couldn¡¯t sleep anymore after all and only fretted on things he had no control over.


    Had they put out the fire successfully? Captain Thompson would know.


    Elwin looked behind himself at Prin, who¡¯s sweet face, usually as untroubled and peaceful in sleep as a child¡¯s, was slightly scrunched, brows knitted. Maybe he was also worrying at the knots that held them in place on this island. And the ones that could get them thrown into the ocean without a boat this time, tied to a sack of rocks.


    Elwin went to Prin and smoothed his hair back from his forehead. ¡°Prin?¡± He called softly. When there was no immediate response he didn¡¯t push it any further, figuring he needed the sleep.


    Elwin went to find Captain Thompson, as much as he hated to. He needed to know what the captain knew, and what he had planned. If anything.


    He went to the captain¡¯s office and almost ran straight into Dru a second time as she came out the door.


    She was more dressed up this time, in leather pants and a green corset style top with an unexpected flash of lace at the bottom. She was counting bills in her hands.


    Dru flashed a wide smile at Elwin. ¡°Oh, hey again! Just getting a little pocket money to hit the town with. Is that what you¡¯re coming in for?¡± She winked to show she was teasing. The money seemed to have put her in an even better mood then usual. Elwin thought she seemed like a cheerful idiot, but it could have been that he was just in no mood.


    He wondered what they had talked about.


    ¡°Dru, can I talk to you seriously for just a second?¡± Elwin stood directly in front of her to slow down her escape through the hallways.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re doing it right now.¡± Dru said.


    ¡°If you see . . . or hear . . . You wouldn¡¯t . . . talk about any of your uncle¡¯s business or, anything that goes on in the house with anyone, right?¡± Elwin asked.


    Dru narrowed her eyes. ¡°If this is about whatever it is going on in here today, how could I talk about something no one has even told me about?¡± She shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m clueless! Just how I like it.¡±


    Elwin sighed. He was unconvinced.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you trust me, anyway? What have I ever done?¡± Dru asked.


    ¡°Well . . .¡± Elwin stared. Steal from your uncle, gamble and play around at the local brothels, have something going on with one of the scariest people Elwin had ever met, and possibly also your own cousin. He was sure he was forgetting something. ¡° . . . nothing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± Dru said. She daintily stepped around him and continued down the hallway. She turned and walked backwards for a second, pointing from him to herself and back again. ¡°You got nothing to say about me, and I got nothing to say about you. Kinda nice and convenient that, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Elwin frowned slightly. ¡°Yes.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know what else to do besides let her go.


    The door to the captain¡¯s office hadn¡¯t fully closed when Elwin stepped through it.


    ¡°What else can I do for ya?¡± Captain Thompson asked. He sounded slightly exasperated, but maybe he was just preoccupied. He was wearing small, round glasses and sitting at his desk shifting through papers.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°Huh? I uh, sorry, the door was open.¡± Elwin said. He realized he should have let the door close completely and knocked on it, rather than barge in unannounced.


    The captain looked up from his papers and gave Elwin a wan smile. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. Come on in lad, shut the door behind ya.¡±


    Elwin shut the door and sat down in one of the chairs on the other side of the desk.


    ¡°Do you think my young ones would be angry if I abruptly moved them to the main land? It would take some doing but . . . Aster. . .¡± He trailed off with a chuckle.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Elwin said hesitantly. Did this mean he was contemplating ways to keep Aster with him?


    The captain shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t . . . want anything. I just can¡¯t sleep anymore and I¡¯m dying ¨C¡± Elwin gulped down the poor choice of words. ¡°I¡¯m dying to know what¡¯s going on. All day, you know?¡±


    He could have articulated that better.


    The captain just chuckled. ¡°You and me both, kid.¡± He narrowed his eyes at Elwin. ¡°I don¡¯t got much, but I¡¯ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.¡±


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know . . .¡± Elwin did not want to make his lies too complicated, since he had read enough books to know that was how people got tripped up. ¡°I went looking for Prin, since he wasn¡¯t home and doesn¡¯t have any other friends on the island . . . I figured he went to see Aster.¡± Elwin hoped his hesitation didn¡¯t make the fact that he was lying more obvious. This thought made him even more nervous and prone to unnecessary pauses. He hadn¡¯t even got to the lying part yet. ¡°When I got there, the smoke was already coming out of the shed. And . . . Aster and Prin were upset and shaking. They said Prin had been trying to protect Aster and in the course of the fight . . . an oil lamp was knocked over and the man fell into it and caught himself on fire.¡±


    Captain Thompson raised his eyebrows and made a gesture with his hand for Elwin to keep going.


    ¡°As we were trying to get away, Aster got faint and passed out from the blood loss.¡± Elwin said. ¡°They both seemed really traumatized so I don¡¯t ¨C I didn¡¯t question further. I don¡¯t think we should make them relive it by really pushing for details.¡± Elwin realized his mistake in telling a story that Aster and or Prin would have to fill in more of. Maybe even contradictory ¡°more¡± at that.


    From the look on the captain¡¯s face he wasn¡¯t entirely buying it. ¡°If that¡¯s all you know.¡± He shrugged. Doubting but willing to let it ride.


    Elwin could appreciate that.


    ¡°So, the fire burned for quite a while and was hard to contain. All of the back sheds were burned to the ground and the back of the main building took some damage.¡± Captain Thompson said, in answer to Elwin¡¯s expectant look.


    Elwin held his breath.


    ¡°No one is missing.¡± The captain said. ¡°Besides Aster Rose.¡±


    Elwin let out his breath. As the person who set the fire, he would have been responsible if someone had died in it. Even though he had to do it, he wouldn¡¯t want that to have happened.


    ¡°After the fire was put out and they were able to do a head count of all the girls, was when they realized who was missing.¡± Captain Thompson laughed. ¡°It probably didn¡¯t even take them that long. My Rose not being the type to get lost in a crowd!¡±


    ¡°She would have been at the front of it, trying to help.¡± Elwin agreed.


    ¡°In a jaunty little dress like it was any other day. Offering advice whether you want it or not.¡± The captain said with a wistful smile. He sighed. ¡°It¡¯s hard to see someone so tough and so lively . . . reduced.¡±


    Elwin frowned. ¡°Is it weird to see Aster and not Rose? I mean, I guess I mean, without the makeup and nice dresses?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it!¡± Captain Thompson briefly looked like he would come across the table, but he took a deep breath and settled back down quickly. ¡°Son, there is more to a person then the thin skim of their outer adornments. Who do you take me for?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I just thought maybe it was a shock is all.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°No, the injury was the shock.¡± The captain said. ¡°By reduced, I meant in poorly health.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°It made me feel . . . Even more so that Aster Rose is an irreplaceable person. To me. Do you know what I mean?¡± Captain Thompson said. He made a rueful expression. ¡°Does he make them all feel like that? I understand it¡¯s a job . . . one he¡¯s good at. We¡¯ve had the conversation. However, it¡¯s too dangerous. You are just a pup, and probably have limited experience with such establishments, so I¡¯ll tell you. Even at the best of them the attitude is one of the gals being a disposable resource. If something happens to them, if they get injured or . . . worse, or scarred to bad, traumatized, and lose their ability to carry on with it, they are thrown out with the trash. Sent away with nothing to make room for the new crop of fresh young faces coming in from the countryside. It¡¯s just . . . It¡¯s just the nature of the business.¡±


    ¡°If you know that, why do you go there and give them your money?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°A man gets lonely, kid! And I didn¡¯t want to do all that dating and remarrying crap.¡± Captain Thompson made a face. ¡°Not that it wasn¡¯t suggested when Wrena and Valor were still tykes. I was also afraid that if I gave them a new mama and she didn¡¯t treat them well, I would have to be digging a grave in the backyard.¡± He laughed. ¡°You know what I mean? Heard too many bad things about second mamas.¡±


    Elwin nodded, in what he hoped was an encouraging manner.


    ¡°Anyway, my point being, when Aster recovers, the last thing we¡¯re gonna let him do is go back to that way of life. At the mercy of any strange person that comes through the door. Not to mention the piece of work that runs the place and her creep of a son.¡± The captain shuddered. ¡°Never again. This has been my wakeup call.¡±


    Elwin agreed but didn¡¯t think it was their call to make. He didn¡¯t want to say so and make the captain mad so he remained silent.


    ¡°The girls are going along and knocking on doors looking for Aster Rose.¡± Captain Thompson said gravely. ¡°They said it was random but of course, they must be concentrating on customers, it only makes sense. Still, with privacy concerns, not that I am one to care about judgement from the masses, obviously, but some do . . . They don¡¯t want to admit to the targeting.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°I acted surprised to hear about the fire and upset to find out that Aster was missing! But not too upset I hope. You think I¡¯m a good actor? I don¡¯t know if they believed it or not but I hope so.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they believed it.¡± Elwin said, not entirely sure. ¡°Will they come back?¡±


    ¡°Without a doubt.¡± The captain said. ¡°My lovely niece is going there tonight to check out the gossip and the extent of the damage. She doesn¡¯t know Aster is here. I think.¡±


    Elwin wasn¡¯t sure about that. ¡°What should we do? Maybe me and Prin shouldn¡¯t stay¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s safer for you here.¡± The captain assured. ¡°Just don¡¯t leave the house for any reason. I can¡¯t protect you out there.¡±

 Chapter 116

    Effectively under house arrest, Elwin walked the hallway for a bit, but when the pacing did nothing meaningful for his thought processes, he went back to his and Prin¡¯s room to check on him.


    Prin was still sleeping like a log, at least this time his face was relaxed, clearly dreaming the previous day had never happened.


    Elwin made sure the windows were latched and curtains firmly closed, before filling the water glass on the bedside table with cool water from the pitcher, and tucking the blankets in firmly around Prin. There was no reason to wake him, sleeping was as good a thing to do as any. At the moment.


    Elwin went back to Valor¡¯s room, peeking in to make sure he wasn¡¯t disturbing anything, rather than knocking and ensuring it.


    Aster was still against the mound of pillows, as pale as paper but with spots of vivid red on each cheek, her eyes were closed. Strands of indecently blood colored hair fanned out around her like it was trying to escape.


    Valor had both black cats on his lap and was quietly petting them. His head was inclined toward the curtained windows, as though listening for danger, or contemplating what was going on in the world outside.


    Elwin felt for him. His world was one of waiting, being comforted but also trapped by this house. And it was clear that with his personality, it chafed.  What could be done for him?


    ¡°Hey.¡± Elwin said softly, not wanting to wake Aster.


    ¡°Oh, hey, you¡¯re back again.¡± Valor said, the angle of his head changing subtly to incline in Elwin¡¯s direction.


    Elwin went over to his side of the bed and pulled up a chair. ¡°Can¡¯t sleep either?¡±


    ¡°No. I think I slept too much already.¡± Valor said. ¡°I feel like I don¡¯t need to lay around in bed anymore but the others ¨C My father, are conspiring to keep me here. This,¡± He gestured in Aster¡¯s direction. ¡°Is just the latest excuse.¡±


    ¡°Everyone was so worried.¡± Elwin said.


    Valor shrugged.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you realize how devastated everyone would be if something happened to you.¡± Elwin said. He had a sudden sense of de ja vu, having had similar conversations over the years with Prin.


    ¡°I¡¯m bored.¡± Valor said.


    Elwin looked around quickly, his eyes lighting on the corner of a book peeking out from under the side table. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep either. Should I read to you for a bit?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Valor sat up a little and scooched closer to Aster, less weary of her now that she was peacefully sleeping.


    Elwin did not take the invitation, instead retrieving the book and sitting back down in the straight backed wood chair beside the bed.


    The book had a black velvet cover worn thin around the edges, and no trace of a title or author name. Elwin turned it over in his hands. ¡°What is this?¡± he mumbled to himself.


    ¡°You tell me.¡± Valor said, keen ears picking up words not for them.


    Elwin opened the cover and saw a diagram of a man held upside down on the center of a rack pins and blades, and weapons of all sorts sticking out of him.


    ¡°What the hell? Is this yours?¡± Elwin wondered. He turned the page to find the title, finally. ¡°Dark Ways and Their Practice.¡±


    Valor sat up straighter. ¡°It is now.¡±


    ¡°You mean you don¡¯t know how this got here?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°I could have drug it in from somewhere in the house.¡± Valor shrugged. ¡°How would I know? You know how I feel about books. Or maybe it has to do with that mess that was in the corner.¡± He gestured in the vague direction of where a pile of unexpected clutter lay, with an old wooden crate. ¡°I almost tripped over it.¡±


    Elwin narrowed his eyes. ¡°How long has that been there?¡± He could vaguely remember seeing it before, maybe yesterday but he was busy chasing a fairy at the time.


    ¡°Will you read already! I¡¯m ready to learn.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Shh shh shh.¡± Elwin looked over at Aster, who hadn¡¯t stirred. He flipped through a couple more pages, filled with diagrams, illustrations, and small print, with handwriting and doodles all over the margins. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly the type of book it¡¯s easy to read aloud . . .¡±


    ¡°Well describe it to me then.¡± Valor insisted. He settled in against the pillows hugging his cats to his chest like teddy bears.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Elwin wished he had never offered to read, now feeling like he had no choice. This book gave him a bad feeling up and down his spine, like they were the kind of words it was really better not to say out loud, lest you give them power.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°The title page has a man upside down on a rack, being tortured by every kind of weapon or knife you can think of.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°O-ooh, those kind of dark ways . . . Please continue.¡± Valor said.


    Prin awoke confused and uncomfortable in his own skin. Where was he? And who was he? The absence of Elwin was conspicuous beside him. His anchor, the one who helped him through these moments and any other difficulties life had to offer.


    So, at least he knew he was someone missing an Elwin. Prin used this to try to swim back to himself. Back to the moment at hand. The island, full of pirates and former pirates, and pretty girls, and giant parties that don¡¯t end well, and fairies, and . . . witches that harm young boys in the name of grudges twice removed. Detectives. Dead detectives.


    The prince set up straight in bed and rubbed his gritty eyes with his fists. It was dark in the room but he could still see that it was his and Elwin¡¯s room in Captain Thompson¡¯s house. His mouth was sticky and tasted bad. He drank all of the glass of water on his side table.


    It was clearly night time, and hadn¡¯t they arrived morning-ish? So he had slept a long time and anything could have happened in the mean time, while he was oblivious.


    Prin crept out of the room as though he were sneaking away from himself and went toward Valor¡¯s room, remembering now that¡¯s where everyone was last he saw them. The house was quiet and felt late at night. He suddenly remembered everyone being in that drugged artificial sleep, and only he had seemed immune to it . . . Last night? The night before?


    He started to feel the anxiety build up in his chest. What if it was happening again? He didn¡¯t know he could handle any more at the moment. Anymore anything.


    The door to Valor¡¯s room was not quite closed, giving Prin a chance to peek inside before entering.


    Aster was laying in bed, appearing dead to the world (hopefully just ¡®to the world¡¯, anyway), and Elwin was sitting in a chair reading to Valor.


    Prin found it to be a pretty scene, and had to choke back tears for a moment. He didn¡¯t feel like he belonged here, disturbing the peace, and hurting everyone he loved.


    Yet here he was.


    Prin stepped inside but hung in the doorway until Elwin looked up from his book.


    Elwin¡¯s eyes grew wide and he squeaked. ¡°Prin!¡± As though he had been caught doing something he shouldn¡¯t. He tossed the book onto the bed and stood up, opening his arms.


    Prin felt the edge of his mouth turn up without his permission, and before he knew it he had moved forward until he was within Elwin¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°How are you?¡± Elwin whispered into his hair.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin said without really thinking about it. Over Prin¡¯s shoulder he could see Valor patting the bad beside himself. But the look he had on his face was different than usual, a considering look. Did he know?


    Prin glanced at Aster, who hadn¡¯t moved, and it didn¡¯t seem that talking or moving around on their parts was likely to change that. ¡°Is Aster alright?¡± He could hear the tearful shake in his own voice.


    ¡°Sure, of course.¡± Elwin said.


    At the same time Valor said. ¡°Who knows? Oh, but he took plenty of the pain medicine my father brought so I¡¯m sure he¡¯s going to be out for a while. If that¡¯s what you mean. Sit down.¡±


    Prin carefully sat down on the bed. Part of him hoped Valor was right and Aster would be asleep for a while, long enough for himself to come and go unseen.


    Valor felt around, touching his knee at first, then his arm, before Prin moved his hand to collide with Valor¡¯s questing fingers.


    Valor took the hand and squeezed it. ¡°What happened? Where you trying to kill Aster or . . . maybe it was all a horrible accident?¡±


    When offered such a convenient out, Prin couldn¡¯t take it. ¡°How could someone do that by accident?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You tell me.¡± Valor said. ¡°Why would you want to hurt Aster? I just want to know why?¡±


    ¡°There is no . . . there is no why.¡± Prin said. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that.¡± Hot tears began to drip down his cheeks and he could feel Elwin stiffen beside him, about to interfere on his behalf.


    What difference did it make anyway?


    Before Elwin could say anything, Prin¡¯s other hand hit something on the bed, something kind of fuzzy and he could feel a scream rise in his throat. On edge.


    It turned out it was just the book they had been reading, with an unexpected velvet cover. Prin picked it up and took a look. It didn¡¯t take him a second to realize the apprentice witch must have left it behind. And it was clear she took her ideas from this manual of a sorts.


    It seemed a lifetime ago, but Prin suddenly realized he had not had time to tell anyone what had happened with the witch. Didn¡¯t they wonder where Mrs. Frances¡¯s mysterious assistant had gone?


    ¡°Okay, Valor, I have to tell you about something.¡± Prin got suddenly happy again, a bubbly feeling in his chest, giddiness. He realized he was unstable at the moment and that was part of it, but at last there was a story with a happy ending to impart. ¡°You know, Mrs. Frances¡¯s assistant? Who¡¯s name no one can seem to remember?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°Mrs. Frances . . . has an assistant?¡± Elwin¡¯s face scrunched in that cute concentrating way, and Prin could tell from the looks on their faces that they had no idea who or what he was talking about.


    ¡°Her name is Lissabet and I think she has done something to make you all forget about her, but she was here, and she was actually a witch. I¡¯m pretty sure this is her book.¡± Prin waved the black book in the air, feeling it was proof of everything he was saying. He proceeded to tell Elwin and Valor all about his encounter with the imposter assistant and what she had been doing to Valor, in furtherance of the stale and fading curse. He told the story up to the point of her taking off in the boat, and him threatening her to never return.


    Valor¡¯s mouth hung open in astonishment. ¡°Does this mean, I¡¯ll be better? I can go places without the world falling apart around me the whole time?¡±


    ¡°This explains why you were outside in the middle of the night.¡± Elwin said thoughtfully. ¡°And decided to go see Aster, because you knew she would be up in the wee hours?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Prin said. ¡°It will be gradual, I think. So don¡¯t go doing anything crazy, and there still may be remnants of the original curse forever. I¡¯m no expert though, we are taking her word for a lot, but it seemed to be true.¡±


    Valor smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this.¡±


    Prin kissed the back of his hand. ¡°You will have to be vigilant though, that she doesn¡¯t return. Or another member of the coven.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand one thing, though, If the curse wasn¡¯t meant for me who was it meant for?¡± Valor asked.


    Prin had tried to gloss over that part, leaving his father out of it. But Valor was a shrewd kid, and he supposed he suspected more then he let on.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to talk to your father. It¡¯s time.¡± Elwin said.

 Chapter 117

    Prin shot Elwin a sharp look. What was he doing? The last thing that Valor needed was to be mad (for a valid reason, at that) with his father. His best advocate in the world. Why did Elwin have to say that?


    Valor nodded sagely. ¡°So he does know more than he let on.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just not¡ªLet¡¯s focus on the main thing here ¨C¡± Prin stumbled over his words, trying to make it stop.


    ¡°Wait, how do you know he knows something?¡± Valor asked Elwin, his head tilted to the side like a puppy. He seemed to have forgotten all about Prin and what he had done to Aster. Which is just what Prin wanted. But not like this!


    ¡°I-¡° Elwin started.


    ¡°Valor!¡± Prin said. ¡°You¡¯re going to be better! Lucky even! Okay, neutral maybe. But can you imagine what life will be like?¡± Prin put his hands on Valor¡¯s shoulders. ¡°You won¡¯t be sick so much and accident prone all the time. And you can have friends and relationships without worrying about them being collateral damage!¡±


    Prin began to panic, the epic freakout that Valor would have when he learned that his father, however unintentionally, caused the curse. He didn¡¯t think he could take it on top of everything. Elwin seemed to get the point, and stop trying to reply.


    ¡°It will be a whole new life for you.¡± Elwin said instead.


    Valor¡¯s confused and considering expression couldn¡¯t hold and he broke into a grin exposing too many teeth. Rows of near transparent pearls that Prin did not dream he had.


    Valor let out a squeal that started soft and rose to an epic level that probably scared every mouse on the block into hiding behind its whiskers.


    ¡°Oh no.¡± Prin looked around himself to see Aster finally stirring. Wrinkling her nose up in discomfort as her hands fluttered on top of the bed clothes and lifted up to cover her paining ears.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough of that!¡± Elwin laughed, more delighted than anything. He scooped Valor into his arms and hugged him, patting his back until the squealing subsided. ¡°Better now? Do you have it out of your system?¡±


    Valor laughed too. Before starting to hiccup like a child after crying. He couldn¡¯t wipe the smile off his face.


    Prin felt like crying. The feeling was a painful joy mixed with doubt. What if he was wrong and the curse would still be there as strong as ever? Only time would tell.


    Elwin got up and brought Valor a glass of water, pressing it into his hand.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Valor wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, clearing the tears that had gathered there. ¡°I just ¨C can¡¯t believe this.¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡± Aster groaned. She wiggled back and forth.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to fall off the bed there.¡± Elwin hurried around to the other side of the bed and reached out a hand to catch Aster if she wiggled right over the side.


    Prin¡¯s eyes went to the door. Could he quickly get out of there without having a confrontation with Aster? He moved to get up, but Valor grabbed his arm firmly.


    ¡°Prin, it¡¯s all thanks to you.¡± Valor said. ¡°I¡¯ll never forget you¡¯re the one who did this for me. I mean why would you ¨C¡± He trailed off, as though about to say something self pitying, about no one caring, but stopping himself in the face of obvious proof otherwise.


    Prin looked over at Aster, anxious to run away from her before it was too late. ¡°I was just in the right place at the right time.¡± He said. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect her to be a witch, I was as shocked as anyone would be.¡± Of course I did chase her into the ocean, he didn¡¯t feel the need to add.


    Aster opened her eyes. ¡°Wha time is it?¡± Her sentence slurred together into one long word.


    ¡°Late.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Would you like something to drink or eat? It doesn¡¯t really matter what time it is when you¡¯re unwell.¡± He gently pushed Aster over a little, away from the bed¡¯s edge.


    Aster turned her head and her eyes met Prin¡¯s.


    Oh well, the confrontation was bound to happen eventually. Although he would have rather it be in private and not around Elwin and Valor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Aster said, still staring Prin directly in the eyes. ¡°Are you here? Wait, am I here?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a little something to take the edge of the medication.¡± Elwin suggested. He went to the tray of foods that was still sitting virtually untouched. ¡°Sweet or salty? How about this.¡± He took a little cake and brought it over to Aster. ¡°Try this one.¡±


    Aster opened her mouth and took the bite sized cake Elwin had offered, chewing thoughtfully. The whole time, trapping Prin in a prison of her dark eyes. Even wider and blacker without the benefit of kohl and eye shadow adornment, and with the pupils dilated to swallow up the less aggressively colored brown-gold of her iris.


    ¡°See if that brings your appetite back and I¡¯ll get you something else.¡± Elwin offered. Always the care taker, sweet Elwin.


    Prin didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± He said finally.


    Valor was pulling on his arm, trying to drag him closer.


    Aster tried to sit up a little straighter, failing on her first attempt and slumping back down, before finally succeeding in propping herself up on her good arm. She made a face and smacked her lips together. ¡°Could I have something to drink?¡±


    Elwin considered the, now cold, tea before rejecting it, and pouring some water out of a pitcher. He held it out to Aster.


    Aster took it, though her arm was shaking as she held the cup, she downed all of the water.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Hey? Can you get rid of any of the pain medicine that¡¯s left?¡± Aster asked. ¡°Get rid of it, or I¡¯ll take it.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? You¡¯re bound to be in some pain. That was a pretty ¨C a pretty nasty cut.¡± Elwin said hesitantly.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Oh, just let yourself be drunk for a few days. Who cares?¡± Valor said. ¡°If we can put up with the way you were acting, you can put up with the drowsiness.¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling I will need to have a clear head.¡± Aster said. She enunciated each word very carefully, the effort in her voice showing it was only done with some difficulty.


    ¡°Pfft.¡± Valor waved her words away. ¡°We will look after you.¡±


    Prin was the first to look away, the strength of the eye contact (not to mention the guilt) becoming too much to bear. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He said, barely a whisper.


    Valor was silent now, realizing what was going on. Although at least he was in the know.


    Aster turned to Elwin. ¡°Does he have a brother? Like a twin brother?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Aster asked. ¡°Identical cousin?¡± She said this last part with a bit of her old self returning, a wry lopsided grin.


    ¡°No, we¡¯ve been together since we were toddlers so I would know if there was one.¡± Elwin said dryly.


    ¡°You went through something traumatic, it seems. I¡¯m sure your memory is playing all kinds of tricks on you.¡± Valor said, trying to be helpful. ¡°You probably are dreaming right now, come to think of it.¡± His ice colored eyes roamed around the room, as though in their own way they searched for any way to break the tension.


    Prin did love him for trying. He was so loyal. Prin put his hand on Valor¡¯s arm and patted it. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Aster deserves to know the truth even if she hates me for it.¡± There was a hitch in his voice. ¡°I did it, it was me.¡±


    ¡°I know that, silly.¡± Aster narrowed her eyes at Prin. ¡°I was there.¡±


    ¡°Maybe now isn¡¯t the best time after all.¡± Elwin said. ¡°Can I get you some hot tea from the kitchen? Or warm up this soup on the stove?¡±


    ¡°You said . . . because I saw what you did to that man.¡± Aster put her hand over her face. ¡°That you couldn¡¯t let me live. But you did, and now ¨C Why am I here? The fire.¡±


    ¡°Setting the fire was my idea.¡± Elwin said. He looked around himself, like he had a habit of doing when he was saying something he was scared to have overheard.


    It kind of reminded Prin of the exaggerated motions in a puppet theater, it was endearing. He was so lucky to have people in his life that had his back like Elwin and Valor. He tried to remind himself of this as he could feel Aster slipping away from him.


    ¡°It was the best way to get rid of evidence that we could think of.¡± Elwin went on. ¡°Oh wait, actually it was your idea. You kept saying fire, I don¡¯t know if it ¨C¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?! What fire?¡± Aster dropped her hand and sat fully up in bed, wincing as she did. ¡°You set a fire? My house ¨C Oh my god.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s gone, it¡¯s all gone.¡± Prin had known this would hit Aster hard. All the loving and pain staking care she had gone to in making a ramshackle shed into a home. Not to mention the dresses made entirely by her own hand . . . Prin started to cry.


    ¡°What? No ¨C¡± Now Aster was crying. She abruptly moved to the side of the bed and got down, shoving Elwin aside. The bed was taller then most and the distance to the floor, unexpected to someone who had been carried over and placed in the bed. Not to mention, Aster was short.


    Aster half jumped and half fell, scrambling up and stumbling to the door. She was holding her arm, no doubt jarred in the fall.


    ¡°Aster, where are you going?¡± Elwin asked, following behind her. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about this. I¡¯m the one that ¨C I think it was the only thing to do under the circumstances. I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s not like you could have gone back anyway.¡±


    ¡°I have to go back! And see if there¡¯s anything that can be saved.¡± Sweat stood out on Aster¡¯s skin, like her whole body was crying. She fumbled for the doorknob and banged on the door with both fists.


    ¡°Stop. Please, stop.¡± Elwin said. He seemed perplexed by the notion that losing one¡¯s home and possessions would be more upsetting then being horrifically bitten by your friend. As though the fire should have been washed away as insignificant compared to the injury.


    Prin got it. He just didn¡¯t know what to do about it. ¡°There are a few things . . .¡± He belatedly remembered. ¡°El, bring her back to bed, she¡¯s not in any position to ¨C¡±


    ¡°No one knows you¡¯re here, they can¡¯t know. Remember?¡± Elwin, still trying to plead to reason, put his hand in the way of the door and had it bashed by one of Aster¡¯s small but mighty fists.


    Elwin pulled his hand away, wincing.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to do that. Let me go!¡± Aster said.


    ¡°What is going on in here!¡± The door flew open and Wrena stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips, she was wearing a pink bathrobe and her hair was up in rag curlers. But her voice resonated in a deeper tone then usual and she knew how to stand to give herself a commanding presence. So, she was the captain¡¯s daughter after all.


    Aster fell forward and Wrena caught her, gathering her close to her chest. ¡°Are you okay?¡± After a moment, she leaned back to take in Aster¡¯s appearance. ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡±


    Elwin reached out to take Aster from Wrena¡¯s arms. Wrena turned her body away from his grasp, sheltering Aster in her arms.


    ¡°Seriously. Valor?¡± She looked to her brother, serious voice brooking no bullshit.


    ¡°Everything is fine.¡± He said smoothly, his hand possessively on Prin. ¡°Just a momentary disturbance.¡±


    Wrena narrowed her eyes and curled up the side of her mouth in disdain. ¡°I forgot I don¡¯t trust you.¡± She looked back down at Aster, who seemed to be momentarily stunned and not really trying to get away from her. ¡°Is someone trying to hurt you?¡±


    ¡°I- no.¡± Aster stammered. ¡°I just-¡±


    Wrena gasped when she saw a spot of blood on her robe, tracing it back to the now bloody bandage around Aster¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯ll go get my father.¡± She said firmly.


    She turned back toward Elwin and this time allowed him to take Aster from her arms.


    ¡°No-oo.¡± Aster whined. But it was clear the fight had gone out of her for the moment, and she slumped into Elwin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what is going on here. But I soon will!¡± Wrena said, as she took herself off down the hallway at a brisk pace.


    ¡°Now everyone knows for sure.¡± Elwin said. He picked Aster up in his arms and put her back in the bed. ¡°Please be still. Please.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her.¡± Valor said. ¡°She¡¯s a pissant, but she would never do anything . . . to endanger the family. I don¡¯t think.¡±


    Barely a moment later, Captain Thompson came storming into the room. He was still fully dressed for the day and clearly had not been to bed yet.


    ¡°Son, you had but the one job.¡± He said, shaking his head in disappointment.


    ¡°Yes, but if I did that one well you might give me another one.¡± Valor said. ¡°And then where would it end?¡±


    Prin wanted to laugh but was afraid if he let it bubble up out of his throat it would never stop and he would go insane.


    Aster was sobbing quietly, not really looking at anyone, but covering her face with the corner of the bed sheet.


    ¡°My darling, what have these ruffians done to you?¡± The captain shot a glare at Prin and Elwin, obviously expecting more out of them.


    ¡°Nothing ¨C I ¨C I fell out of bed.¡± Aster managed through the tears.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be doing that now.¡± Captain Thompson said softly. He looked at her arm. ¡°You went and busted your stitches. Already? Never mind, it¡¯s alright.¡± He put his big arms ever so gently around her and gave her a hug. ¡°I¡¯ll fix it up for ya.¡±


    ¡°A-a-and they burned up all my things.¡± Aster burst into a new round of helpless tears.


    ¡°O-oh, is that what this is about? I can fix that too.¡± The captain picked Aster up in his arms, grunting a little but not having too much trouble. He opened the side table drawer and put the medicines in his pocket. ¡°Let¡¯s get you out of here, where you can get some peace and quiet.¡±


    He walked to the door, stopping to jostle Aster into one arm and point at Prin, Elwin, and Valor, with the other. ¡°You boys, go to sleep!¡± he roared.


    ¡°Well . . . That went.¡± Valor said, once his father had gone down the hall and out of ear shot. In answer to the question, how did it go? Which no one was asking.


    At the same time, Elwin, looking down at his bruised hand and thoroughly chastened. ¡°I think we got in trouble.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even have a chance to explain about the curse.¡± Prin said glumly.

 Chapter 118

    After being scolded by the captain, Elwin and Prin decided to go to bed before he would have to come back and tell them again. No one wanted to see that happen.


    Prin kissed Valor¡¯s cheek goodbye and then they left him to his own devices. Since he wasn¡¯t afraid of his father, he could decide for himself whether to sleep or not.


    Elwin was afraid that Aster was irreparably mad at the both of them. And trying to keep her captive in the room like that just sealed the deal. But he wasn¡¯t going to say it to Prin. He looked depressed enough already.


    ¡°Well.¡± Elwin said, helping Prin off with his shoes while he sat on the edge of the bed. ¡°At least you made Valor really happy. Not that he didn¡¯t love you enough already.¡± He smiled into Prin¡¯s face, trying his hardest.


    ¡°Mmm hmm.¡± Prin said, not really listening and looking like he had lost the will to live. He lay down on the bed with his back to Elwin.


    Elwin got in beside him. ¡°You¡¯ll have another chance with Aster, it¡¯s not like we can go anywhere, nor can she. So we¡¯re all stuck here together.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she wants to see me.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°You can tell she wasn¡¯t herself at all.¡± Elwin said. ¡°You¡¯ll talk again tomorrow.¡±


    Elwin snuggled in close to Prin. He was worried and wanted to make him feel loved and comforted. Even more than that, he wanted to be sure and wake up if Prin got out of bed.


    ¡°Prin . . . you¡¯ll always have me no matter what.¡± Elwin hoped that was even remotely the right thing to say.


    Prin turned over on his side with his back to Elwin.


    Oops, guess not.


    Prin reached behind himself and patted Elwin. ¡°I know. You¡¯ll always have me too, whether you want me or not.¡± He laughed wryly.


    Elwin snuggled in closer, nuzzling his face in between Prin¡¯s shoulder blades. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t forgive you, she wasn¡¯t worth being friends with anyway.¡± He said firmly.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough.¡± Prin said softly. ¡°Shh.¡±


    ¡°I mean it.¡± Elwin insisted.


    ¡°Go to sleep.¡± Prin said.


    *


    It was well into the morning when Prin woke up again, he could tell by the quality of the light struggling through the gaps in the curtain. The day after. The day after all of THAT happened.


    He tried to push the thoughts away, to relax into the still sleeping Elwin. To forget himself for even a few more minutes back into the soft oblivion of sleep. Nope. Not happening.


    Prin had planned on leaving Aster alone, giving her some space. His presence in the room could agitate her enough to prevent proper healing . . .


    He couldn¡¯t leave Aster alone.


    If only he could explain himself, at least he would have closure. If Aster never wanted to see or speak with him ever again, he couldn¡¯t blame her. But at least the truth would be off his chest and she would know it hadn¡¯t been . . . personal. She had to know that Prin would never want to hurt her.


    He could feel himself getting teary eyed at just the thought of seeing her, but he was determined to try not to cry and make it seem like he wanted her to feel sorry for him.


    Prin went to Valor¡¯s room first and opened the door as quietly as he could. It was dark inside, and when his eyes adjusted he could see the Valor shaped lump in the bed. Alone. Well that had been what he figured, but he just had to check.


    Aster¡¯s white bag, filled with a few scant belongings from her vanity (Prin sincerely hoped it contained anything she would consider worth saving), was still sitting under the window where he had left it. Prin picked it up, determined to at least reunite these few remnants of her old life with their owner.


    Old life? Well, her life with Mama Kris in back of the pink house was definitely over now. And surely there was something to be grateful for there at least? Even if it hadn¡¯t gone down in the way anyone had envisioned that it would.


    Prin didn¡¯t know where to go next. He was afraid to open just any random door, for fear it would be Wrena¡¯s room mainly. And she would not be pleased.


    Luckily for him, as he walked the halls, a door to a room he had never before entered, or seen open for that matter, was open a crack.


    Prin walked towards it slowly, as though approaching a skittish animal. He pushed the door open just a ti-iny bit more, until he could see into the room more clearly.


    The room was dim, but not dark. The heavy curtains were closed but an oil lamp with an amber shade glowed on the side table like an oversized firefly.


    It was a nice bedroom gone to mess with a wardrobe, spilling its guts all over the floor. Men¡¯s clothes: vests, shirts, trousers, jackets, all fell around obscuring the red and gold carpet like leaf litter on the forest floor.


    Boxes crowded the other side of the room, looking like they may fall over at the slightest provocation.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The bed was dressed in red. The embroidered crimson bedcover, lay over the single occupant like a funeral shroud, with just her pale face on a white pillow floating free above it.


    The outline of her body was obscured by treasures, adding to the funereal aspect. It looked like . . . offerings.


    There were jewelry caskets, and lose jewels that glittered with gold and silver and sparkling stones. There were also pieces of fine silk fabric, and small carved figures of animals and people, an inscribed silver dagger with a curved blade, and even a mask carved of stone that looked like green ice. Among other things, almost too numerous for Prin¡¯s eyes to take in all at once.


    Prin must have made an involuntary noise of wonderment, because Aster¡¯s eyes opened.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Prin whispered. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m saying that a lot lately.¡± He looked at his feet. ¡°But never . . . enough, of course.¡±


    ¡°Come in, I guess.¡± Aster said. She wriggled under the load, looking like it was hard to even sit up with the weighed down coverlet on top of her.


    ¡°Do you need any help with that?¡± Prin wondered. He closed the door behind himself and stepped slowly into the room.


    Aster sat up suddenly, a few items cascading to the floor. ¡°Why¡¯d you do that? Did you come to finish the job?¡±


    ¡°What!? No.¡± Prin stopped where he stood. ¡°I just came to bring you a few of your things I managed to grab for you on the way out. I thought we might talk and . . . I guess closing the door was just automatic.¡±


    Aster wiggled her arms out from under the blanket and put a gold tiara on her head, giving him a sloppy half cocked grin. ¡°How do I look?¡±


    Prin wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. ¡°Great. Amazing.¡±


    Aster laughed. She gestured around herself. ¡°His way of trying to make me feel better. I guess it¡¯s sweet in an overwhelming sort of way.¡±


    ¡°He is very generous, I¡¯ve noticed.¡± Prin said. ¡°Did it? Make you feel better?¡±


    ¡°No, maybe, I don¡¯t know.¡± Aster said. ¡°I guess it did put my losses in some sort of perspective. Though it¡¯s not like I can keep this.¡± She gestured around herself. ¡°Dowry.¡±


    ¡°How about this?¡± Prin took Aster¡¯s stuffed bunny out of the bag and tossed it to her.


    Aster smiled. ¡°Hey little guy!¡± She laughed. ¡°This is the only doll I ever kept. It was given to me by an old woman who made them herself. She had a market stall where she sold such things and . . . I guess she thought I was a kid.¡± She shrugged.


    ¡°I had one too.¡± Prin said. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be a kid.¡±


    ¡°True. But I have to watch for people making that mistake.¡± Aster said. ¡°You know, ¡®cause I¡¯m short. This was when ¨C This was when . . . After the first fire when I had nothing and nowhere to go.¡±


    ¡°Aster.¡± Prin sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to knock off any more pretties. ¡°Do you want to talk about . . . what happened?¡±


    Aster flinched. ¡°Only if you talk about why you tried to kill me first!¡± She said fiercely.


    Prin nudged the dagger closer to Aster¡¯s hand. ¡°Put your hand on that, if it¡¯ll make you feel better.¡± He suggested.


    Aster curled her hand around the ornate hilt of the dagger. ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the curse.¡± Prin said bluntly. ¡°This is why I couldn¡¯t tell you about it before. It makes me attack and eat people. Only it¡¯s not me really? But that¡¯s no excuse. Whatever it is, is using my body to kill people with.¡± He looked down at his hands, expecting them to be perma-stained red with blood. But they weren¡¯t, they were fairly clean and sort of pink but just in a way that was part of his skin tone, and contained more rings then he really meant to be wearing but somehow just ended up with. One was still holding Aster¡¯s bag. ¡°Oh, here you go.¡± He sat it down amidst the treasures.


    ¡°O-oh. What do we have here?¡± Aster said, distracted. She pulled out a handful of ribbons and pins. ¡°Hair clips, nice.¡± She rummaged around and pulled out the diary. ¡°This always finds its way back to me.¡± She dug again and pulled out a little jewelry case made of two shells hinged together and opened it. Inside was the diamond shaped like an apple on the gold chain. She clasped it to her heart. ¡°Thank you.¡± She cast her eyes upwards, thanking someone other than Prin, for the divine intervention.


    ¡°I thought maybe the vanity seemed to be where you kept your important things.¡± Prin said, by way of explanation. ¡°And there wasn¡¯t much time.¡±


    ¡°Wait . . . I did see what I thought I saw.¡± Aster slowly looked up from the bag, meeting Prin¡¯s eyes. Her hand reflexively tightened on the dagger. ¡°You were eating that man. That¡¯s why Elwin set the fire. He¡¯s in on it with you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a curse! I told you. You¡¯re making it sound like some kind of criminal gang, or something. There¡¯s nothing to be in on. It¡¯s a curse and . . . Elwin loves me.¡± Prin suddenly felt so tired. This wasn¡¯t going much better than he had expected it to.


    ¡°You really can¡¯t help it? Because why would you do that if you could help it?¡± Aster said. ¡°I¡¯m really confused. I took some more medicine because my arm was hurting and I¡¯m a bit foggy headed.¡± She put her hand to her forehead. ¡°It¡¯s a curse.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Prin nodded eagerly. ¡°I would never hurt you on purpose! You have to know that.¡±


    ¡°This is why you have to find the witch.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m so sorry Aster. I¡¯ll understand if you can never forgive me. I just had to explain myself. This curse wasn¡¯t something I asked for. Or did anything to deserve. I don¡¯t know why she did it actually! I can¡¯t wait to ask her that  . . . among other things. When we find her.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Okay, bunny. I have slept beside you, got high with you, invited you into my little sanctuary  . . . Which I guess that part didn¡¯t work out too good in the end. But my point it, I have trusted you completely, and I¡¯m usually a pretty good judge of character.¡± Aster said. She shook her head.


    Prin didn¡¯t know whether to be encouraged by her use of the nickname she had given him, if it was being used ironically, or if she was talking to the stuffed animal.


    ¡°You are.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°What made the curse activate when it did? Why not some other time when I was sleeping and couldn¡¯t defend myself?¡± Aster asked.


    ¡°It only goes off every . . . so many days. But I think threatening things . . . violence, makes it hungry.¡± Prin said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aster, I don¡¯t fully understand it myself. I had a really long night, chasing ¨C Should I get into the story about Valor and his witch? Or maybe later ¨C Anyway, I think I saw that man trying to hurt you and the anger and fear and rage I felt . . . Gave it an opening to come out. Or something. Like a self defense mechanism.¡±


    ¡°You were trying to help me.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°In a weird way, yes. Then it took over and I couldn¡¯t stop it.¡± Prin said. ¡°You know . . . I love you Aster. I am in awe of you. I think you¡¯re gorgeous, and cool, and funny, and kind, and so talented with anything artistic, and ¨C¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve said enough.¡± Aster cut him off, raising the hand that had been holding the dagger. She smiled, softer this time. ¡°I believe you.¡±


    Prin blinked back his tears. ¡°Everything else I¡¯ve told you about myself is true, I just had to leave that part out.¡±


    ¡°I mean, of course you did.¡± Aster acknowledged. ¡°But what made you stop attacking me once you started?¡±


    ¡°The fairy! I think she sprayed some knockout gas in the room. Where is she anyway?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, around here somewhere. Probably snooping.¡± Aster waved her hand through the air. ¡°She always comes back.¡±


    ¡°If not for that I would have killed you.¡± Prin said. ¡°Or, it would have, I mean. I know it.¡±


    ¡°Well, you did have a second chance though. Why did you save me from the fire? Witness and all?¡± Aster asked.


    ¡°Because I was back to myself by then! Of course I wouldn¡¯t leave you there. I would have turned myself in to, whoever, whoever¡¯s in charge, if I had to. To get you help. If Elwin would let me.¡± Prin said. ¡°Aster, I was always planning to bring you with us when we leave the island but I¡¯ve changed my mind. I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t want to be with me anymore anyways. I think you should stay here with the captain.¡±

 Chapter 119

    If looks could kill, Prin would be a dead man.


    Aster screwed up her features, her eyes shooting sparks. ¡°Listen here, bunny, if you think you can tell me what to do and what not to do you had better get in line early and pack a lunch, but even then it aint happening.¡± She set up straighter and pointed her finger at Prin.


    ¡°But . . . he . . . loves you I think. And he¡¯ll keep you safe, which is something I can¡¯t do.¡± Prin said helplessly. He had really stepped in it this time, but there didn¡¯t seem much else to do besides keep walking.


    Aster crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just stay with Valor then, and I¡¯ll go off adventuring with Elwin and find the witch.¡±


    Prin laughed weakly. ¡°I have no doubt you would do a better job of it than I am. I get your point though, and I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Aster¡¯s expression cracked and a smile spilled through, like she couldn¡¯t hold it any longer. ¡°Stop saying things you have to say sorry about!¡±


    ¡°It was out of line trying to tell you to stay here.¡± Prin said. ¡°I¡¯m s- I¡¯ll do better.¡±


    Aster laughed. ¡°Come here.¡± She pulled Prin into her arms and hugged him, heedless of the jewelry falling on the floor. ¡°Why can¡¯t I stay mad at you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, because you really should.¡± Prin could feel tears gathering in his eyes and before he knew it they had escaped down his cheeks and onto Aster¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Now this doesn¡¯t mean I trust you, or anything, just because I forgive you.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I-I know, and you shouldn¡¯t . . .¡± Prin said. He felt at home in her arms and didn¡¯t want to leave them for anything.


    ¡°And you can¡¯t be bossing me around, either. I¡¯m older than you and ten times as stubborn.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about tha-aat.¡± Prin said. ¡°I¡¯m pretty stubborn myself.¡±


    ¡°We will find her, Prin.¡± Aster said firmly.


    Prin hugged her back, feeling her thin body beneath the soft cloth of the chemise. ¡°You don¡¯t have to help me.¡±


    Aster wiggled her arm free and awkwardly patted the top of Prin¡¯s head. ¡°Careful. My arm.¡±


    ¡°Oops! I¡¯m sorry!¡± Prin let go and backed away slightly, swiping at his tears with the back of his hand. ¡°That will take a long time to heal won¡¯t it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Aster said. ¡°But we¡¯re not going to wait around here for all that. There¡¯s too much to do.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t well Aster, you lost a lot of blood. And, apparently, you need that to live?¡± Prin said wryly. ¡°A little recovery time is necessary.¡±


    Aster waved her hand dismissively. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have scared you yesterday with my . . . overreaction to the fire. I¡¯m not usually a basket case like that, you know me, it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m dying. I just have trauma regarding fire.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Prin said. He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°I wish you would tell me about it. You now know everything about me.¡± He idly picked up a delicate scarf painted with flying dragons and mountain peaks, and ran it back and forth through his fingers.


    Aster leaned back on her good arm, looking up at the ceiling, red curls like a mane around her head. ¡°Meet me at midnight under a full moon in a clearing in the forest shaped like a perfect circle, and make sure you have some time on your hands, if you want to get into that whole story.¡±


    ¡°Oh Aster, you¡¯ve teased it enough.¡± Prin said. ¡°Please?¡± He scooched up on the bed and fluffed the pillows behind him, getting comfortable. ¡°Is this the guest room?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? No, it¡¯s old red beard¡¯s. That¡¯s what the girls call him. It¡¯s a term of endearment.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Prin wasn¡¯t sure he should be getting comfortable then. ¡°Is it okay? Is he coming right back?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, he said he had some work to do in the office. I think he slept a little last night. Or lay down and was quiet anyway.¡± Aster said. ¡°He seems to be worried.¡± She laughed. ¡°Well, of course, I mean, under the circumstances. That guy¡¯s scary friend will be coming around looking for him eventually right? Raven?¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Crow. But don¡¯t change the subject.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°It¡¯s bad, that trouble is at his door.¡± Aster said. ¡°But if anyone in the world can handle it, it¡¯s Cornelius.¡± This seemed to perk her up again and she smiled. ¡°Do you want to know all about me so bad? Is this a blackmail thing?¡± She teased.


    Prin laughed. ¡°It¡¯s a friendship thing. Also, you know I have a weakness for a good story.¡± Prin was hoping this would bring them closer together. The more bonded they were, the more Aster would understand that Prin would never ever hurt her. Willingly, at least.


    ¡°Okay, so, you know how I told you about my home growing up. . . And my mama? She had her own house with three stories.¡± She stretched her hands out to show it was such a big house you could barely imagine it. ¡°It was an old stately mansion, and required upkeep but you better believe she personally picked up the hammer and saw when needed to keep that house in good shape. As did her mother before her.  Her name was Rose and she looked like me. Except, all woman, of course, and I think taller? But maybe that¡¯s because most of my memories were as a kid when I had to crane my neck to look up at her. Like a flower bending toward the sun.¡± Aster looked pleased with herself for that one. ¡°Also she liked to wear really high heels.¡±


    ¡°Rose?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know if I told you this already, but yes, she did try to name me after herself. Only, wiser heads prevailed when they saw that her one and done precious daughter was wrongly genitaled. I think someone suggested Aster as a good gender neutral flower name and in a drugged out post birth state she just said sure, fine, sounds good, whatever.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°It is a really nice name.¡± Prin said. ¡°Aster. I love it.¡±


    ¡°It also means star.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°And you are one.¡± Prin said sincerely.


    Aster laughed. ¡°Flattery will get you everywhere.¡± Although she seemed light hearted now, Prin noticed her hand, the manicure already suffering neglect, picking at her bandaged arm.


    ¡°Here.¡± Prin placed a pig, carved of a delicate pink stone with darker spots made to look like the pigs natural coloring, into the offending hand. The way the lamp light twinkled off its tiny ruby eyes made it look like it was winking at them. He hoped the treasures could distract her nervous hands.


    Aster turned it over from one hand to the other. ¡°How cute! If I only had a shelf to put this on maybe I¡¯d keep it after all . . .¡±


    ¡°You were saying? Your mom ran . . . an establishment like Mama Kris¡¯s?¡± Prin liked the word establishment better then the word brothel, or gods forbid something worse, it sounded more genteel.


    ¡°Oh no! Nothing like hers at all.¡± Aster said emphatically. ¡°All the ladies shared their money and helped each other . . . If you didn¡¯t have the spirit of cooperation you were pretty quickly asked to leave. Anyways, I think I may have told you most of this already.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I like to listen to you, Aster.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Prin, bunny rabbit, don¡¯t take this entirely the wrong way but you are the only man that has ever said something like that to me who didn¡¯t want to get into my bloomers at the nearest opportunity.¡± Aster laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to make of you sometimes.¡±


    Prin felt his cheeks getting hot. ¡°I don¡¯t really think of you that way, although  . . . you¡¯re very a-attractive.¡±


    Aster patted his leg. ¡°I know you¡¯re just a dewy eyed innocent, I¡¯m only teasing you.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes I think Elwin is worried I have a crush on you.¡± Prin said. Why did he just admit that? Of course he was a little too conscious of Aster sometimes when she was close to him. Like right now. But wasn¡¯t everybody?


    ¡°Elwin has nothing to worry about.¡± Aster said. ¡°What will happen when he figures out what he looks like?¡±


    ¡°I hate to think.¡± Prin laughed. ¡°Are you gonna tell me about . . . you know? Or just keep distracting me?¡±


    Aster held the pig in one hand and her other drifted to the bandages on her arm. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not a big secret or anything. You know I¡¯m an open book.¡±


    Prin plucked a rabbit figurine off the red coverlet and pressed it into Aster¡¯s empty hand. It was sleek and grey, with long ears.


    Aster looked at it closer before continuing. ¡°Pirating. Very lucrative, huh? Maybe I went into the wrong line of work.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he kept every cool or unusual item he ever stole? Or did he buy these things with stolen coins?¡± It occurred to Prin to wonder.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mix.¡± Aster said. ¡°A lot of them were loot but some of them belonged to his wife. He bought her a lot of gifts.¡±


    Prin wondered if it was weird for Aster that he tried to regift them to her. Although seemingly made no secret of where they had come from. He didn¡¯t ask. ¡°There was a fire.¡± Prin prompted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°This was about . . . time has no meaning . . . five years ago I think. It seems like so long, yet also like it just happened?¡± Aster said. ¡°It was the early morning hours, still dark.


    I was upstairs, my room was on the third floor. The guests, that¡¯s what mama called the clients, you know. They weren¡¯t allowed up there, it was mostly our rooms, and the nursery. It was rare to have a . . . this type of business to allow you to keep your children with you. You know? I mean, not the greatest environment. But mama raised me there, and she knew it could be done, so it wasn¡¯t exactly encouraged but there were a few small kids. A four year old, one who was about six, and a baby, Eva. I was the assistant midwife for Eva! It was not a particularly easy birth, it was er, memorable. But the mom and baby both pulled through okay. So you can understand she was my little pet. Ten months old.


    Anyways, I was in charge of them a lot. The older two I was teaching to read and write. Thomie and Bean, but that¡¯s not important I guess.¡±


    Prin suddenly got a cold chill form nowhere. Was there going to be a dead baby in this story? He wasn¡¯t sure he could handle it. ¡°You don¡¯t have to talk about this. I shouldn¡¯t have forced it.¡± Prin said quickly.


    ¡°Nah, nah, it¡¯s okay.¡± Aster said. ¡°I might as well. Then you¡¯ll know.¡±


    Prin chewed on his lower lip. He had asked for it, he supposed he deserved what he got.

 Chapter 120

    ¡°At first, I don¡¯t even know what woke me. Just the feeling of something being wrong.¡± Aster plunged ahead. ¡°I was naked in bed, this is important because it delayed me for a minute putting on some pants and a robe. It was cold. I couldn¡¯t figure out what it was so I thought maybe Eva was crying. In the morning her mother came and got her to feed but maybe it hadn¡¯t happened yet. Sometimes I would carry her downstairs myself if she got fussy and wouldn¡¯t quiet.


    So I went into the nursery, and all was well. One, two, three, sleeping moppets.


    Everything was quiet but something just didn¡¯t feel right. I went down the hall to my mother¡¯s room. She wasn¡¯t there and the bed was made, it was dark but that¡¯s what it looked like. It wouldn¡¯t be unusual for her to be downstairs in her office adding up the night¡¯s haul, or balancing the budget after the shop had closed. You know? So I didn¡¯t especially think she would be there anyway.


    There was a door at the top of the stairs. It wasn¡¯t hot or anything . . . I always heard the door should be hot . . .¡±


    ¡°Aster, you don¡¯t ¨C¡± Prin said nervously. Now he felt like picking on something. He picked up a Glass statuette off the bed. It was a nude figure of a woman but red and gold like fire, like the flame on top of a candle. He had a thought of pushing on her head with his thumb until the fragile neck broke. But he didn¡¯t. What was the matter with him? Prin put it back down on the bed and worried at the pile of silk scarves again.


    Aster ignored him. ¡°I opened the door and smoke and heat came up to greet me. Not an overwhelming amount though, more of a hint? If it had been too much I wouldn¡¯t have attempted the stairs. Though I¡¯m not sure a jump out of a third floor window would have been much better.


    I went back to the nursery and shook the kids awake. I picked up Eva and got the other two to hold hands. I didn¡¯t know what to do! I couldn¡¯t carry them all.


    I yelled. I called for my mother like a mewling baby myself. Then, when that didn¡¯t do me any good, I went to the stairs. There was more smoke now, I pulled my robe up over Eva¡¯s head and we charged down the stairs. I yelled for the other two to follow, and miraculously they did.


    We made it to the second floor and the smoke was getting thicker. I could hear people moving around and screaming and yelling. We couldn¡¯t really see anyone though? I looked down the stairway and . . . I sent Thomie and Beans down and told them to run out onto the lawn far away from the house. Was this the right thing to do? Probably not? But what was the alternative. I should have kept them with me.¡±


    Prin took Aster¡¯s hand in his, uncurling it from around the stone animal she had been tightly clenching so that her fingers had turned white. He twined their fingers together. ¡°You did the best you could.¡± He murmured.


    ¡°The second floor is where my mother¡¯s office was. I had to look for her! I went into her office and the light was burning but no one . . . I could have looked further. Maybe she was on the floor? There was a lot of smoke by this point.¡±


    Aster shook her head, sending beet red curls flying, and waved her hand. ¡°Ugh. Long story short, I didn¡¯t find her. I got out. And I didn¡¯t see the other kids again. I was in a daze so I don¡¯t know if they found their mothers outside and went away with them or if they didn¡¯t make it out or what.


    The mess, everything was a mess, the house burned all the way up. The women all left, or whatever ones got out of the fire anyway. I thought we were sisters . . . but they left me. We weren¡¯t family we were just coworkers at best.¡± Aster wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand. ¡°I think people might have tried to talk to me . . . or get me to go away with them . . . Maybe? I couldn¡¯t leave the fire. I watched the whole thing burn. It was really a sight with the sun coming up behind it.¡±


    ¡°It was the end of your world. I get it.¡± Prin said softly. He wondered if he would have liked to see the Vulture burn to the ground, if he would have watched it go down to the very last cinder. Or if it would have made him cry. Stone wouldn¡¯t burn like that anyway. Just crumble to dust over hundreds of years.


    ¡°It gets a bit fuzzy after that. I think at some point someone from the village came and was scaring me and I ran away . . . It¡¯s like I had been waiting for my mother to walk out of the fire. At the last moment. Making a dramatic entrance was just like something she would do.¡± Aster said. ¡°Also I am a little confused why I didn¡¯t go to anyone I knew from the village, or surrounding areas. It hurts now to think about it, I mean it gives me a headache.¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°The men who might have been your father? The one who sent you to boarding school?¡± Prin asked. It seemed only natural that he would have taken Aster in.


    ¡°He had a family, a jealous wife. And we had sort of fallen out with him after that whole thing.¡± Aster commented, her face said it really was hard to see into the thick of this part. Like that pea soup fog which causes people to run their horses off the side of a mountain.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Prin said quickly. ¡°You¡¯re here with me now, there¡¯s no reason to force yourself to remember.¡± Privately he wondered if there was a reason certain memories might be blocked. Had the townspeople run all the women who had worked there out of town? He knew some people held really low opinions of such establishments, he had read about it in books. Had they maybe even set the fire? Prin wouldn¡¯t say it.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Aster made a thoughtful noise. She squeezed Prin¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Prin said suddenly. ¡°What about Eva?¡± He regretted it almost as soon as he had asked it.


    Aster grimaced. ¡°I had her with me. And I guess her mother never appeared again, just like mine didn¡¯t . . . Thing is, I wanted to keep her. I really wanted to! . . . I had nothing when I got done running and I was somehow in an unfamiliar place? I tried to feed her. I did things I never thought I¡¯d do to get her milk and fruit but she wasn¡¯t doing well. And I . . . wasn¡¯t doing well.


    I ended up leaving her at a temple where the priestesses ran a foundling home. I even wanted to go back and get her later when a man I was seeing, I guess you would call it, but of course he was a glorified client, you know, had put me up in my own apartment. He wouldn¡¯t let me though . . . You should never let a man tell you what to do, bunny. But sometimes you have nothing and he has everything . . . Needless to say he was too possessive and too controlling, it didn¡¯t last long. That¡¯s a whole ¡®nother story though.¡±


    ¡°At least she didn¡¯t die!¡± Prin said, momentarily forgetting that had been a private worry best kept to himself.


    ¡°That we know of.¡± Aster said glumly. ¡°And no thanks to me if she didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Well, you did carry her out of a burning building.¡± Prin felt compelled to point out.


    ¡°There is that.¡± Aster agreed.


    ¡°I wont ever ask you about it again.¡± Prin said softly, unsure if he was lying or not, but wanting to be forgiven.


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s okay.¡± Aster smiled at him and patted his arm with her free hand. ¡°We all have our dark moments, eh? I¡¯m ¨C I¡¯m mostly over it I think. Although I have always wanted to know what started that fire, and if ¨C Never mind.¡± She squeezed his hand before wriggling hers away and stretching her arms straight up with a big yawn.


    ¡°Never mind what?¡± Prin wondered. Already breaking his vow of ten seconds ago. Oh well, it was bound to happen.


    Before she could answer, there was a knock on the door downstairs. It must have been loud for the sound, or maybe it was the vibrations, to have carried all the way upstairs.


    A door opened and slammed shut as someone hastened to greet them.


    ¡°Could just be a delivery or something?¡± Prin said warily. He put his hand on Aster¡¯s shoulder, as though somehow afraid she would leap up and go to the door.


    ¡°Crow.¡± Aster said.


    Prin jumped up. ¡°I¡¯m going to go see if I can listen in. Stay here, please, and lock the door behind me.¡±


    ¡°Wait, why am I hiding?¡± Aster asked. ¡°Oh yeah . . . he was in my room, wasn¡¯t he. I guess it doesn¡¯t look good.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Prin said. Not adding that they were hoping people would think Aster was dead. Could that be a possibility? Dead people aren¡¯t searched for, found, and dragged before the courts. Or, at the very least back into their outdated and dangerous ¡°old lives¡±. ¡°I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can to let you know what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Aster said. She held out a hand as Prin was leaving. ¡°Wait.¡±


    Prin looked back over his shoulder. ¡°I have to¡ª"


    ¡°I know. Just, my captain can handle it. Don¡¯t worry that you have to help . . . or intercede. Just keep yourself safe and hidden.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I will.¡± Prin assured.


    Prin went immediately to the kitchen door. If it was Crow, the captain would let him get no farther. And if it wasn¡¯t . . .?


    Prin could hear multiple voices, though none seemed to be raised in anger, so at least there was that. What if it was Crow but he brought reinforcements. Did he know where his partner had been going that night?


    Luckily, this was an easy room to spy into, practically designed for that purpose. Prin slowly opened it a small crack.


    Two cloaked figures faced the captain, one very tall and the other, only carrying herself that way. An all in black bodyguard stood by the door to the outside, as though to prevent anyone from leaving.


    The presence of these three seemed to diminish the captain slightly, and Prin was suddenly worried by the fact that he was completely outnumbered.


    Not, as outnumbered as he thinks. Since I¡¯m here! Prin thought, having to choke back a snort of laughter.


    The woman put back the hood of her cloak, and it was Kristianna, Mama Kris. And she smiled with cold eyes. Prin could imagine this was the look her employees got when they had done something wrong and she was considering their punishment.


    Her son followed her lead and put his own hood back. His expression was more blatantly angry, but was he ever any other way?


    Prin couldn¡¯t tell if the captain was matching their energy since his back was to him. He would not like to face these two himself and actually, this was worse than Crow, if you think about it.

 Chapter 121

    ¡°Well, do you have it?¡± Mama Kris asked. She crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°The amount shouldn¡¯t be any problem for someone of your caliber.¡± Her smile widened, and she reached out a hand as though to coquettishly pat him on the chest.


    The captain leaned away from her. ¡°You know very well most people couldn¡¯t come up with that kind of money on the spur of the moment. Luckily I¡¯m not most people.¡± He shuffled some papers on the table. ¡°I need you to sign this document.¡±


    ¡°We need to see Aster.¡± Jules declared. ¡°This isn¡¯t right. How do I even know ¨C I need to see Aster to make sure this is what he wants.¡±


    ¡°I told you already. He¡¯s in no shape to talk to you. Or to work with you any more.¡± The captain said. ¡°I¡¯m doing you a favor more then anything. If you¡¯ve seen what a fire can do.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what he looks like.¡± Jules said. ¡°Or if he can talk.¡±


    ¡°Quiet.¡± Mama Kris said through clenched teeth. ¡°You are mooning like a calf taken too soon from the teat.¡±


    ¡°But you said we would see Aster!¡± Jules said.


    Mama Kris looked like she wanted to slap him. ¡°What does it matter?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to see Aster like he is now.¡± Captain Thompson said ominously. ¡°In fact, it is amazing that he survived and he might rather not have.¡±


    Mama Kris shook her head, looking down at her shoes. Yet still she smiled. Probably thinking about all that money. ¡°A cursed creature from the beginning. It shouldn¡¯t be a surprise that the fire came back to claim him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s horse shit.¡± Jules said roughly.


    ¡°And now, dead.¡± The captain said firmly, ignored Jules, addressing the important person in the room. ¡°Did you already dispose of the, you know?¡± He was not one to mince words but cast a sideways glance at the bodyguard at the door. He wasn¡¯t stupid, either.


    ¡°The corpse is done away with.¡± Kris said dismissively, as though it had been as easy as cleaning out a rat trap. ¡°And the seed is already planted with the girls that Aster was probably consumed in the fire.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have an office we could be doing this in?¡± Jules took a step toward the door leading into the house.


    Prin cringed, ducking down as though he could be seen through the door. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to leave his prime spot though. Even at risk of discovery.


    ¡°Right here is fine.¡± The captain said firmly. ¡°And we¡¯re almost done in any case.¡±


    ¡°You know this is really putting me out.¡± Mama Kris put her hands on her hips. ¡°Do you have any idea how much revenue losing Aster-Rose is going to cost me? I have no draw on this island like him.¡± This time it looked like she was trying to school her features into a frown but finding it difficult.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be a draw no more.¡± The captain said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡± Jules said. ¡°Mama, he¡¯s lying.¡± Jules quickly walked to the door and shoved it open


    Prin really should have been more prepared for the blow from the door, but he wasn¡¯t and fell down hard on his butt in the hallway. He smiled up at Jules with a sheepish look, falling back on the little old me, never done nothing to anybody routine. A good stand by, though Jules didn¡¯t seem the type to buy it.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Jules scratched his head, one of his long yellow braids falling loose from the cloak. He was looking at Prin, less angry and more startled, like he was a raccoon.


    ¡°Stop right there! I don¡¯t give you permission to go into my house as you like.¡± The captain said. He turned around and reached for Jules but he was too late and Jules had stepped over Prin and stormed into the house.


    Prin scrambled out of the way as Captain Thompson and Mama Kris followed Jules down the hallway.


    ¡°Really, Jules, you are embarrassing us both.¡± Mama Kris said, although her tone was that of a very mild, almost faux rebuke.


    Prin got up quickly and followed them. He really did hope that Aster had locked that door.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I said stop! Is no one listening to a word I say?¡± The captain asked.


    ¡°Oh calm down, what are you going to do? Call off the deal?¡± Mama Kris asked. ¡°My stupid son gets unreasonably attached to some of the girls. If he wants to say goodbye, what¡¯s the harm? After this Aster is yours anyway to do with as you like.¡± She waved her gloved hand in his direction. ¡°Whatever¡¯s left of him anyway.¡±


    Jules led the procession upstairs, calling for Aster as he went.


    Captain Thompson finally caught up to him and put his hand hard on his shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s enough, boy, you¡¯ll scare my children with this caterwauling.¡±


    True enough, Wrena peeked out of her room, with Dru¡¯s face popping up beside her. Wrena¡¯s eyes went as big around as dinner plates, but not Dru who was watching with curiosity bordering on delight. It seemed nothing phased her.


    If Valor was listening from his room, he preferred not to be seen doing it.


    Jules ignored the growing audience until the captain¡¯s bedroom door was the next to be opened. Not a crack, but a good half way opening. Enough to see Aster standing there.


    She was tiny in her bare feet, a pale bedraggled figure that was overwhelmed by her masses of wild hair. ¡°What¡¯s all this fuss?¡±


    ¡°Aster!¡± Jules exclaimed, as though surprised after all to actually find her at home and on her feet. And of course, not disfigured in any obvious way. Although his eyes lingered on the thoroughly bandaged arm. He rushed forward as though to hug her.


    ¡°Careful.¡± Aster said, shrinking back into the doorway.


    ¡°You look . . . . fine.¡± Jules said hesitantly. Relief, confusion, and spiteful anger all flashed across his features. He was not good at hiding what he was thinking. He dropped his arms to his side but took Aster¡¯s hand instead and looked at it in his. ¡°See, mama? He¡¯s not disfigured at all.¡± He leaned toward Aster and examined her face. ¡°Face just as pretty as ever!¡±


    Prin was tensed up, he didn¡¯t think this would turn into violence but he didn¡¯t like Jules touching Aster. And he knew the captain felt the same way.


    ¡°Mmm hmm. Certainly seems that way.¡± Mama Kris said. The money was clearly such that a little lie couldn¡¯t come between her and it.


    ¡°Did I ever say it was his face that was maimed?¡± Captain Thompson huffed. ¡°I just said he couldn¡¯t work for you anymore.¡±


    Aster took her hand back from Jules and motioned to herself below the waist. ¡°Nothing there but scorched earth, like an asteroid hit.¡± She reached to the bottom of her chemise as though to pull it up over her head. ¡°Wanna see?¡±


    Jules flinched away. ¡°No! No . . . of course not.¡± His eyes were narrowed though, and he looked around at all the people in the hallway or watching them. It was clear if they had been alone he would have demanded the proof.


    Aster frowned and swayed slightly, holding onto the door for support. ¡°If you¡¯ll ¡®scuse me, I¡¯m not really ready to be out of bed.¡±


    Jules bent toward her, looking like he would be ready to catch Aster if she fell. ¡°I just wanted . . . Do you have everything you need?¡±


    Aster flashed a winsome smile. ¡°Of course, hun. I¡¯m jacked up on the good poppy juice right now, which is all I could want.¡±


    ¡°Then, are you where you want to be? Because I don¡¯t care what mama says.¡± He flashed a glare over his shoulder. ¡°I will call off the deal right now and take you wherever you want to go. Maybe a proper medical facility on the main land . . .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Aster said. ¡°I¡¯m where I want to be. And I thank you for caring.¡±


    Jules, unable to resist, put his arm around Aster and guided her into a gentle butterfly-kiss of a hug. Seeming at least somewhat convinced of the burn story, or not willing to take the chance anyway.


    ¡°Good luck in your future endeavors.¡± Mama Kris said. ¡°Even if you are a little thief.¡± She said this last part almost like a term of endearment, or an inside joke that had passed between them many times.


    ¡°I only stole from you because I was hungry.¡± Aster said wearily. ¡°And I think you¡¯ve had it back from me many hundred fold by now.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Mama Kris said. ¡°None of that matters now.¡± She took Jules arm and pulled him away. ¡°Let¡¯s go finish our dealings now, if you¡¯re satisfied you brat.¡±


    Jules sighed. He cast a lonely look over his shoulder as his mother guided him away.


    Aster didn¡¯t look at him.


    After they had disappeared down the hall and, presumably, back to the kitchen, Prin went to Aster. ¡°Why did you open the door?¡± he wondered.


    Aster took his arm for support, and walked with him back to the bed. ¡°Thanks, bunny.¡± She sat down and got comfortable again against the pillows.


    Prin started picking up some of the loose treasures that had fallen on the floor and putting them in a basket that was laying there among the captain¡¯s mess.


    ¡°I figured he wasn¡¯t gonna give up, yaknow? He¡¯s not that type.¡± Aster said, her voice sleepy and sloshing around a bit.


    ¡°Have you been eating?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°I can¡¯t remember.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you something.¡± Prin tucked Aster in under the covers. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be up and moving around yet. You¡¯re weak.¡±


    ¡°I do feel a bit dizzy. But, Prin . . .¡± Aster trailed off.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Prin asked. He put his lips to Aster¡¯s forehead, trying to feel for a fever but he couldn¡¯t tell. Elwin would be much better at that than he was.


    ¡°We have to get off this island.¡± Aster said. ¡°Soon. It¡¯s not something to mess around with.¡± The word mess sounded like mesh. Aster had probably taken a lot of pain meds, as she had said to Jules.


    ¡°I know. I have to get to work on that.¡± Prin said. ¡°You need to rest and eat and build up your strength though, don¡¯t be worried about details.¡±


    ¡°Like the fact that I was just sold for a lot of money?¡± Aster grimaced to show what she thought about that. ¡°I have a feeling my captain grossly over paid.¡±


    Prin couldn¡¯t help a sad little laugh at that. ¡°Yeah, like that. Are you in terrible pain? You can tell me.¡±


    ¡°Well . . . no, it¡¯s not so bad at the moment.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t you, it wasn¡¯t your fault.¡± Aster said. ¡°I¡¯ve been through worse, I¡¯ll be okay.¡±


    ¡°In any case you will need some time.¡± Prin said. ¡°I don¡¯t think those two will bother you anymore though, so you can relax. On that front anyway.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡± Aster said. ¡°We still have to go though.¡±

 Chapter 122

    ¡°El, did you sleep through that whole entire mess?¡± Prin¡¯s voice spoke close to Elwin¡¯s ear, sending the hairs on the back of his neck tingling.


    Elwin didn¡¯t know what time it was when his prince¡¯s sweet voice woke him up, but he knew that he was hungry and thirsty and terribly groggy in that way where you slept too long and still were somehow badly rested.


    As soon as he opened his eyes, Prin couldn¡¯t resist filling him in on where things stood between himself and Aster, as well as a breathlessly detailed report of the captain¡¯s meeting with Mama Kris and Jules, and Jules¡¯ storming of the castle to find Aster, as well as his tender goodbye.


    Prin was positively giddy now that his friend had forgiven him, or at least they had come to an understanding together and he knew that she didn¡¯t hate him and knew he hadn¡¯t meant what he¡¯d done.


    Elwin was glad for him too, even though the words were all jumbled up as they tried to enter his sleep addled head. He had a devil of a time trying to straighten them out between his ears.


    ¡°I knew it would all work out.¡± Elwin lied. He sat up and pulled Prin into a hug.


    ¡°Well I didn¡¯t!¡± Prin said. He sighed into Elwin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m not sure she should have forgiven me after all.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Now we have to work on the next leg of our journey.¡± Prin said brightly.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Elwin patted his back. ¡°I just don¡¯t know how we¡¯re going to get away from here without the captain or Valor . . . trying to stop us.¡±


    Prin pulled away from him and looked into his eyes with those shiny pools of blue he could still fall into and drown if he let himself. Nothing had changed about that.


    ¡°Captain Thompson will help us. He has all the connections.¡± Prin said. ¡°Now we¡¯ll have to wait until Aster is up to traveling. I¡¯m not sure whether that will be a few days or . . . a few weeks? I guess we should make ourselves scarce around town in the meantime.¡± He glanced at the curtained window.


    Elwin knew what he was thinking, another thing that would never change. ¡°If Crow¡¯s out there watching there¡¯s not much we can do about it.¡± He said.


    The next few days passed in a blur. The captain had readily agreed to help them find safe passage off the island, although he claimed to be sad to see them go. It was carefully omitted that Aster was planning to leave as well, in case that would set him off and ruin his good nature.


    Meanwhile, Prin and Elwin worked to clean and patch what remained of their wardrobes, with Mrs. Frances¡¯ help.


    They saw nothing of Crow. Although, both Prin and Aster seemed as jumpy as cats on hot coals whenever they were near a window, and claimed they could sense him out there somewhere. The fairy came back to Aster but came and went as she pleased at night, when no one could see. Aster called her ruby. Since she was bright red. Although the red coloring came from Aster¡¯s own hair where she liked to nest her tiny self among the tendrils and curls. Aster claimed she was too tiny and light to be a bother, but as far as the hairbrush was concerned, she would have to watch out for her own self there.


    Valor wasn¡¯t saying much about it, although Elwin imagined they were in for a scene at some point or another.


    Elwin went to find Prin after breakfast, wanting his input on a supplies list he was making. He checked in their room on the way to Valor¡¯s where he found Prin peeking in from outside.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°Shh.¡± Prin whispered. ¡°I don¡¯t want to bother them.¡±


    Aster was sitting cross legged in the center of Valor¡¯s bed, holding court, with both Valor and Wrena as her attentive subjects. She wore her robe, and the siblings were similarly casually dressed.


    Small bottles, jars, and boxes littered the bed and Aster held one jar in her hand and a tiny brush. She was applying kohl makeup to Valor¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°When you¡¯re first starting out, don¡¯t try to make one sweeping motion. Do it like this instead, see?¡± She was telling Wrena.


    Wrena leaned in close to her brother¡¯s face. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand how you get it so smooth.¡±


    ¡°You have to use good quality pigments, nothing too diluted! And add ju-ust the right amount of liquid. See?¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Do I look like a court jester?¡± Valor asked.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re beautiful. Stupid garden snake.¡± Wrena admonished playfully. There was affection in her words.


    ¡°Nothing could make you look silly.¡± Aster said. She deepened her voice theatrically in a mocking way. ¡°You are So. Self. Serious.¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m not.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°Hold still.¡± Aster said. She held his face in front of her with one hand with freshly painted cherry blossom pink nails, making up his other eye with the other. ¡°Almost done.¡±


    ¡°How did you get so good at this?¡± Wrena wondered.


    ¡°Well, it was easy! I¡¯ve been playing in other people¡¯s makeup since I could walk, and when I got old enough I finally had my own to play in.¡± Aster giggled. ¡°It¡¯s just all about practice. And when you see someone with a design on their face you like you go home in front of your mirror and practice it. Also, I was blessed with a lot of sister-aunties who were very generous with their instruction. They never made me feel left out, you know for being a boy or any other reason.¡±


    ¡°Gender is such an outdated notion.¡± Wrena declared. ¡°I mean, does it matter in the slightest?¡± She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her lower lip, as though being defiant in advance was her usual manner of giving a controversial hot take.


    Elwin suddenly admired her just a little bit.


    Prin poked him in the ribs to make sure he was watching this. He had become quite the little eavesdropper, hadn¡¯t he? Elwin would have to remember that if he ever decided to say something he didn¡¯t want Prin to hear.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised to hear you say that.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Why? You don¡¯t know me that well.¡± Wrena harumphed.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it as an insult.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°I think it matters.¡± Valor said. ¡°It matters in having babies anyway.¡± He reached his hand up to his face and then put it down, clearly resisting the urge to touch his eyes and ruin the makeup. A perfectly feathered black line that framed his eyes and stretched from each corner. Like the stripe on a cat¡¯s face.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Aster said. ¡°It matters just as much as you let it, I guess.¡±


    ¡°There are too many babies out here as it is.¡± Valor said.


    ¡°If you were a woman I guess we would have to worry about having a new baby brother or sister.¡± Wrena said. ¡°That would be too hard on father at this stage of his life.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t be saying ¡°too hard on father¡± when you¡¯re bringing home your own some day for him to chase around.¡± Valor teased.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll like them better if they¡¯ve hatched from my own body.¡± Wrena agreed. She leaned in close to Aster. ¡°Do my eyes next. It¡¯s wasted on him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nice.¡± Valor said sarcastically.


    ¡°Well what do you care about what you look like?¡± Wrena asked. She leaned close to Aster, holding a silver hand mirror while Aster got started on her eye makeup.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be stuck in this house all the time forever.¡± Valor clenched his fist. ¡°So learn well because I might have to depend on you sometimes to help me get ready to go out.¡±


    Wrena laughed, causing the line on her eyelid to jerk out of whack.


    ¡°Oops.¡± Aster said. ¡°Here, hold still.¡± She took the edge of a rag and attempted to fix it.


    ¡°See what you did!¡± Wrena told her brother.


    ¡°You can take him out with you.¡± Aster told her. ¡°What an entrance when you walk in a party together!¡± She grinned. ¡°Everyone will turn to stare. Who are those gorgeous, rich looking siblings? I get goosebumps to think of it. This island aint big enough for the two of you!¡± She said generously.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of.¡± Valor deadpanned.


    Prin guided Elwin a ways down the hall before bursting into his own fit of giggles. ¡°How cute was that? Aster could fit right in here!¡± He sobered up. ¡°But she doesn¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s still kind of nice to see Wrena and Valor having fun. Since things are about as gloomy as a funeral around here half the time.¡± Elwin said.


    Prin nodded. ¡°I know. Now that things should be improving for Valor and ¨C and the witch is gone. Hopefully there is a lot more fun for them in the future.¡±


    ¡°What witch?¡± Elwin tried to figure out what he was referring to but it flitted away before he could pull it out of his mind and examine it.


    ¡°Never mind.¡± Prin waved his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

 Chapter 123

    Elwin and Prin opted for the first available date for their escape from the island. One week from the fire.


    Prin had been initially reluctant, feeling that Aster may not be strong enough yet, but she insisted it would be fine. And all three of them were feeling the restless effects of being cooped up in the house, without even natural lighting from the windows to remind you of the outside world.


    They had all been preparing traveling gear. Aster was working furiously on some sort of outfit, since she had nothing to wear at all. The project had been helped along by the generous donation of outgrown outfits by the captain¡¯s children. The family had surely cottoned on to the fact of Aster¡¯s departure, though it wasn¡¯t explicitly spoken about.


    Valor had begun to grow quiet again, withdrawing into his room. Probably to sigh dramatically and throw things at the walls, Elwin figured. But if he was, he wasn¡¯t making much noise at it.


    The night before their predawn departure to the docks, Prin went to check on Aster and make sure she was getting some rest.


    She wasn¡¯t.


    Aster had sewing stuff spread out over the bedspread and was hugging a pair of shoes to her chest, cheeks damp with tears.


    Prin hurried to her side. ¡°Aster what happened? What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°W-well, I¡¯m not finished with my travel suit. D-do you know how long it takes me to make a full outfit?¡± Aster said, between hiccups.


    ¡°Can I help? I can bring Elwin in, he¡¯s better at sewing then I am.¡± Though neither of us very good. Prin added this last part silently.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright now.¡± Aster said. ¡°My captain g-gave me some things I can wear. Aren¡¯t these just the perfectest shoes?¡± She handed him tiny boots of the softest brown suede with pink ribbon laces. ¡°He has a sense of style doesn¡¯t he?¡± She sighed.


    ¡°I love them.¡± Prin held them admiringly in his hands, thinking how small Aster¡¯s feet were. ¡°Are you . . . having regrets about leaving.¡±


    Aster punched him lightly in the arm. ¡°No. ¡®course not.¡± A fresh round of tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°He¡¯s just so kind, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°He is.¡± Prin agreed. He put his arms around Aster. ¡°I think you¡¯re scared. So am I.¡± Always.


    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of change.¡± Aster said. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing you can depend on.¡± She laughed hoarsely. ¡°Besides, he¡¯s still out there. We have to put distance between ourselves and this island.¡±


    ¡°No one will really think you killed his partner.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°No? You don¡¯t think I¡¯m capable of murder?¡± Aster asked. ¡°How rude.¡±


    Prin laughed. ¡°You are capable of anything you set your mind to.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± Aster said. ¡°I would never waste a good death faking though.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a rare opportunity.¡± Prin agreed. ¡°And we will have all kinds of adventures together!¡± At least until you decide to leave me for your own safety. Prin shook the thought out of his head. He would just have to cross that bridge when they got to it.


    ¡°I¡¯m free!¡± Aster declared.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Prin hoped that this attitude persisted. Wasn¡¯t this the Aster that wanted to get away from Mama Kris from the beginning?


    Aster swiped her eyes with the back of her hand. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll be fine. We need to get some rest, don¡¯t we?¡± She gave Prin a wan smile.


    ¡°Are you hurting?¡± Prin asked. He wanted to peek under the bandages to see how her arm was doing, but had already been admonished by Elwin in the past for the need to keep the injury clean and not disturb it.


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    ¡°Eh, no, not so bad anyway.¡± Aster said dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me anymore. But . . . ¡°


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Prin prompted. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Aster made a face. She tucked the perfect traveling boots in beside her like a small child. ¡°Guess I won¡¯t be needing my old shoes anymore, they¡¯re getting pretty worn out anyway. And the symbolism of red shoes, well not everywhere, but a lot of places, they advertise you as a prostitute.¡± Aster mumbled. ¡°Convenient, that.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that.¡± Prin said.


    ¡°Oh! I got distracted. What I was going to say was, you should really go check on Valor before you go to bed. He is pouting something fierce. I think he even started to imprint on me a little and was disappointed when I told him I was definitely leaving and hadn¡¯t changed my mind. But it¡¯s really you . . . he has . . .¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Prin said. ¡°I was going to his room next.¡±


    ¡°I do feel a little sorry for him.¡± Aster said. ¡°He¡¯s actually a good kid.¡±


    ¡°Yes. And things should be getting a little ¨C actually a lot easier for him now that the curse will fade away without the constant stoking of a coven of witches.¡± Prin said.


    Aster, who Prin had eventually told the story of the servant girl who was really an apprentice witch, seemed to be the only one capable of retaining the information, besides Valor himself. Of course, she had never met the witch, as far as Prin knew, and maybe that had something to do with it. Nodded her head. ¡°As long as she doesn¡¯t come back.¡±


    On that note, Prin bid her good night, promising to get as much rest as he could, and headed to Valor¡¯s room to check in on him.


    It was quiet in Valor¡¯s room, a little too quiet. Prin hesitated a moment, debating whether to knock at the door or not. He knocked and came in without waiting for an answer.


    ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t wake you.¡± Prin said softly, upon entering.


    ¡°How could I sleep?¡± Valor sulked.


    The room was pitch dark, probably deliberately so. Prin had to wait a moment for his eyes to adjust before he could make out Valor¡¯s form, not on the bed like he would expect, but sitting cross legged on the floor in front of his open wardrobe.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Prin wondered. He lit an oil lamp on the side table to make it easier to see the answer to his question.


    Valor had clothes out on the floor around him. The cats were curled up together, having made themselves a nice nest out of a formerly hanging black shirt. An ever expanding puddle of shadow.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Valor leaned his head back, facing the ceiling for help. ¡°I was going to sneak out after you in the morning, but it seems I can¡¯t even pack my own luggage.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Valor.¡± Prin sunk to the floor beside him.


    ¡°Oh oh oh, yourself.¡± Valor said crossly. ¡°Everyone is leaving me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving, but I¡¯m not leaving you.¡± Prin emphasized the word you. He leaned his head on the younger boy¡¯s boney shoulder. ¡°You know why we can¡¯t stay.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I go with you? No ¨C don¡¯t answer that. . . Why does Aster get to go and not me?¡± Valor asked. ¡°I hate it here.¡±


    ¡°No you don¡¯t¡± Prin said gently. ¡°Your family ¨C¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes I do! Don¡¯t tell me how I feel.¡± Valor tensed up, balling his pale slender fingered hands into fists.


    ¡°Aster is . . .¡± Prin wanted to handle this conversation as delicately as possible. The last thing he wanted to do was leave on a sour note. He would miss this fussy little jerk. ¡°A grown adult, you know? And can¡¯t exactly stay here either now that everyone is supposed to think she¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m grown.¡± Valor said. His hand unclenched and reached out to Prin, patting his leg and side until Prin put his hand in front of Valor¡¯s and he grasped it. ¡°Please, Prin, I won¡¯t be a burden to you . . .¡± His voice trailed. There was a poignant note, not his usual confident tone, and Prin could tell he felt like he was lying, that he really would be a burden and he hated it.


    ¡°Valor, no one thinks you¡¯re a burden.¡± Prin squeezed his hand back. ¡°But you¡¯re too young and I can¡¯t take you away from your dad. He¡¯d kill me, for one thing. Also . . . you need some time to build up your strength. You just had that seizure. Also you probably weigh about 85 pounds. I¡¯ve been where you are, even frailer and thinner . . . And look at me now!¡± Prin laughed at himself, embarrassed. ¡°I mean, I am a lot more well and strong now than I thought I¡¯d ever be.¡± It¡¯s due to magical intervention and came at a heavy price. Prin didn¡¯t say out loud. Valor didn¡¯t need a curse to get strong, anyway. Just the absence of one, which is much better.


    ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is, when I get stronger you¡¯ll come back for me?¡± Valor perked up and sat up straighter. ¡°Because I will get stronger and taller and older.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Prin said, a little uneasy, even if it was an unenforceable promise. Hopefully the boy would get on with living his life and forget all about this conversation.


    ¡°But . . . I probably wont ever see again.¡± Valor said softly. ¡°All the doctors we¡¯ve tried say there isn¡¯t any hope of it. . . Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°You can do anything you want, even without eyes.¡± Prin said. And it was easy to say this part because he believed it. Valor was not the type of person to let a little thing like that slow him down.


    ¡°So we¡¯ll see each other again soon.¡± Valor said firmly. ¡°Or rather, you¡¯ll see me, but I¡¯ll hear you coming first.¡± He teased.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Prin laughed. ¡°It¡¯s a deal. Just eat plenty and get strong so it can happen.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you like? Big, strapping men who can carry you around?¡± Valor gave a wolfish grin.


    ¡°That¡¯s not ¨C No.¡± Prin thought about it for a moment. ¡°Actually, yes, I guess I do. Come to think of it.¡± He had never considered it that way before but it is what it is, he guessed.


    ¡°You won¡¯t even recognize me.¡± Valor assured.


    ¡°I¡¯ll still be with El.¡± Prin hastened to assure. ¡°Me and Elwin are a . . . a forever thing. A matched set.¡±


    ¡°You told me that right when we met.¡± Valor said dismissively. ¡°He¡¯s just going to have to share.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Prin said.

 Chapter 124

    When the day was so new it was not yet hatched, and only those who were used to doing their jobs in witching hours and liminal spaces were up and about, Captain Thompson escorted them in a carriage to the docks.


    Prin was saved any further tearful goodbyes from Valor by the ungodliness of the hour, and having his permission to take any books he wanted (aside from the witch¡¯s journal, which Valor said he planned on hiring someone to read to him in its entirety, and Prin respected his right to do so), he had taken the book on curses and tucked it safely into his backpack.


    He felt very bittersweet about their departure, and knew the others did as well. Elwin stayed close by his side as his security blanket.


    Aster stood under the gas lamp that washed a portion of the docks in a murky glow. She was wearing her new boots, with brown pants that puffed out and tucked into the boots, a gauzy white blouse with embroidered flowers at the neckline. Her bright hair was clamped down under a beige cap, and also the hood of her forest green wool cloak that was oversized (perhaps a pass me down from Wrena) but guarded well against the biting wind.


    Prin had never seen her dressed in such a subdued fashion, but then again she was supposed to be dead.


    Aster was loaded down with a knapsack, shoulder bag and train case and juggled these items awkwardly as the captain gave her a boisterous goodbye hug that lifted her off the ground.


    ¡°Come back to me any time.¡± He said, placing Aster gently back onto the sea salt crusted boards of the dock. ¡°Well . . . maybe wait until it all blows over a bit though.¡± He waved his hands to indicate the trouble would eventually blow away out into the sea on a sharp wind, like all things did with time. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t wait for me.¡± Aster said. She looked up at him, not unkindly, but with seriousness in her brown eyes.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to put no pressure on you by saying that.¡± The captain said. ¡°I just wanted you to know how I feel about it, is all. Anyways.¡± He turned to Elwin and Prin and opened his arms wide. ¡°Bring it in boys!¡± Elwin tried to hang back but Prin pulled him by the hand forward until they were in hugging range.


    The captain hugged them warmly.


    Prin wondered if this is what it was like to have a real father. He felt a pang.


    When Captain Thompson let them go Prin shivered, pulling his jacket close. The captain pressed a handful of silver coins into each of their hands.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°Your pay of course! You didn¡¯t think I forgot did you?¡± The captain asked.


    ¡°This is too much.¡± Elwin said, knitting his eyebrows together. Perhaps trying to do the math in his head, or working out proper etiquette.


    Prin knew enough by now to know they would be needing all the money they could get. ¡°Thank you.¡± He said firmly, in a way he hoped Elwin understood to mean they would be accepting it without further argument.


    ¡°Same goes for you as went for Aster, you are welcome in my home any time.¡± The captain slapped Elwin¡¯s back and squeezed Prin¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot.¡± He turned back to Aster and took her little hand in his, giving it a squeeze. He put a small bundle in her shoulder bag. ¡°Open that later.¡± And handed her a covered basket and a leather satchel. ¡°Actually, you know what.¡± He took the satchel back and gave it to Elwin. ¡°You seem like the most responsible one. No offense, my darling.¡± He said this last to Aster over his shoulder. ¡°You can do the doctoring. And do it well.¡± He put an admonishing finger in Elwin¡¯s face. ¡°Can you handle it?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Elwin said smoothly. ¡°If I¡¯m to be the medic on this adventure, I¡¯ll give it my best.¡±


    Prin almost snorted, trying to hold in a laugh. Did Elwin think they were in a grand novel about an epic journey or something? Wait . . . . were they?


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to give me anymore gifts, Corny!¡± Aster said, exasperated. ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing at this point.¡± She peaked under the cloth covering the basket.


    ¡°It¡¯s just breakfast you silly yam.¡± The captain said playfully. ¡°You¡¯ll be glad of that in an hour or two.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Aster said. ¡°If I¡¯ve seemed a little cold it¡¯s because . . . I don¡¯t like to be in a debt I¡¯ll never be able to repay. All I can do is say thanks, and that¡¯s so inadequate that it makes me feel strange and awkward.¡±


    ¡°A debt to me?¡± Captain Thompson looked genuinely shocked. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way honey.¡± He leaned down so that their faces were close. ¡°I¡¯m not running a loan sharking business. Anything I give you is yours fair an square, even if life hasn¡¯t made it easy for you to understand that. Actually I hope I never do see ya again, and it¡¯s because you¡¯ve found a place for yourself so warm and cozy and free that you settle down there and never leave. And it will make me happy to imagine I¡¯ve helped you with that.¡± He reached for her face and tugged on a red curl that squiggled its way out from under the cap.


    Aster¡¯s lower lip trembled. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. ¡°You¡¯re a rare man.¡±


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    The captain laughed, straightening up quickly, his eyes wet in the gas light. ¡°We, all of us men are a mess a contradictions.¡±


    He left quickly, probably to avoid any more spilling over of emotions, leaving them to wait in the glomming world for his friend, the captain of a vessel himself, to finish loading or unloading and come to meet them.


    When Prin looked again at Aster her tears were spilling down her cheeks.


    ¡°Damnit, I¡¯m not a crybaby!¡± Aster said. She scrubbed at her face with the edge of her cloak. ¡°That stupid lovely man.¡±


    ¡°He really is.¡± Prin agreed.


    Elwin stared at the leather satchel in his hand, looking like he was already fretting over its duties and responsibilities, its burden. Or, not wanting to look at Aster while she was crying and thus further embarrass her.


    Prin went to Aster and put his arms around her. ¡°Leavings are always hard.¡±


    Prin heard Elwin say his name in a hushed urgent tone, before he even heard the footsteps coming toward them. Heavy on the old wooden boards.


    Why did Elwin sound like that? Surely it was just the boat captain, coming to fetch them as promised?


    ¡°So.¡± A familiar voice said. ¡°I see the rabbits have left their burrow. I thought you had gone into hibernation for the winter.¡± The mild, almost jovial words, belied a tone of such ice cold menace Prin felt a chill go down his spine that had nothing to do with the temperature of the air.


    Prin released Aster and stood up quickly, turning to look at who had walked up next to Elwin.


    Crow looked the same as they had last seen him. Rumpled suit, little notebook in the same hand he held his cigarette. He smiled.


    ¡°I was looking for you. And here you are leaving town all of a sudden.¡± Crow smiled, as though to say, just isn¡¯t that something? A funny coincidence, no?


    ¡°We don¡¯t actually live here, we were just passing through.¡± Elwin said, his calm demeaner returning under the pressure of the closeness of the enemy.


    ¡°Issat right? Funny it was never mentioned during our interview.¡± Crow said.


    Prin stood between the investigator and Aster, trying to block her from view, but apparently it wasn¡¯t enough. Or he had been watching them for a while.


    Crow leaned exaggeratedly to the side as though to peak around Prin at the diminutive cloaked figure behind him. ¡°Ah so you¡¯re not dead, that¡¯s what I thought. That low woman you work for tried to extort me for money, saying my partner killed you and damaged her property with fire. I would expect such a thing from someone like that. But you? What do you know? What have you done?¡± He took a step toward Aster and Prin.


    Elwin glared at Crow. ¡°We don¡¯t know anything, why don¡¯t you leave us alone.¡±


    If you didn¡¯t know any better you would think he was tough. Prin knew Elwin well enough to catch the quiver in his voice. And he hated this man for scaring him. He was about to step towards him, when Aster came out from behind him and threw off her hood dramatically.


    ¡°Yes it¡¯s me, what¡¯s it to ya?¡± She said defiantly.


    Prin knew her well enough to know she was no shrinking violet.


    ¡°Where is my partner?¡± Crow asked. ¡°Where¡¯s Hobbs?¡± His voice was calm, measured, but intense. ¡°He must have been getting close to something, to be disappeared like that.¡±


    ¡°How should I know?¡± Aster asked.


    Elwin moved as though he would get between them, and Aster raised her hand. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. He should know I guess, what the man he calls ¡°partner¡± is really like.¡±


    Crow took a drag on his cigarette and nodded at Aster, as if to say, I¡¯m listening but this better be good.


    ¡°He tried to rape me.¡± Aster said bluntly. ¡°And a lot of people think, if you¡¯re in the business, it¡¯s impossible, you know? But if you try to take with force what isn¡¯t offered, and without paying to boot. Well . . . call it what you want but at the very least it¡¯s stealing. And the low woman, as you call her, who is a powerful business owner with her own hired muscle, which is something else I feel you should know, when you decide what to do with this information. She caught him in the act and ran him off, with her men. She doesn¡¯t take kindly to being stolen from.¡± Aster grimaced. ¡°Ask me how I know.¡±


    ¡°Is that really what happened?¡± Crow said. ¡°I wonder.¡± He tossed his cigarette butt down and crushed it under his scuffed leather shoe, then took the notebook and opened it, consulting his writing in the near dark. ¡°That still leaves the question. Which one of you killed the fortune teller?¡±


    ¡°This tired question again?¡± Prin shook his head, as though annoyed but not surprised it had come back around to that. ¡°Give it up.¡±


    ¡°I have been hired and well paid to not give up.¡± Crow said.


    ¡°If you¡¯ve already got the money, why bother?¡± Prin asked. ¡°You¡¯re so called partner ran off and abandoned you, half the suspects had already left the island to begin with, there¡¯s at least some evidence the killer wasn¡¯t even human.¡± Prin tried to channel his best, what would Valor say. An innocent person would be bound to be getting increasingly annoyed at this point. As a non-innocent person he was shaking in his boots, but thought he was doing a pretty good job at not showing it.


    Elwin gave him a funny look, but it was fleeting, he quickly schooled his face back into concern and anger. Who did this man think he was anyway?


    Crow smiled, wide and slow. ¡°I have a reputation to consider.¡± He took a step toward Prin, giving him aggressive eye contact all the way. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come with me, and I¡¯ll let your friends continue on their merry way.¡±


    ¡°Keep going like yer going and my foot will see your ass along its MERRY WAY.¡± A loud voice interrupted them and even louder foot steps came their way from the direction of the ships.


    In the glomming darkness the tall figure with his booming voice could have been anything, a man or a monster.


    Although when he came to a stop beside Aster and directly in front of Crow, he was a bit different from what Prin was expecting.


    The man was much taller than Prin, especially with the addition of his heeled boots. He looked to be young, maybe in his thirties, and his long blond ponytail went well with his dashing pirate costume. Complete with red velvet coat with leather cuffs, and tight pants showing off his muscular form. His eyes were almost too pretty, as he turned his head to Prin and Aster and winked before facing Crow. A sepia brown with absolute herds of eyelashes. The beauty of his face was thankfully mitigated by a series of white scars bisecting one side and contrasting with the sun darkened skin. Prin imagined this lent a lot of street cred as a pirate.


    Crow stopped with his hand on his pack of cigarettes, about to get one out, he shoved them back in his pocket. ¡°Is this any of your business?¡± He asked calmly, as though he wasn¡¯t a bit afraid of this towering pirate.


    Prin was a bit afraid himself and he knew (thought he knew?) that they were on the same side at least. Afraid and grateful.


    ¡°I¡¯m Captain Lucien of the ship Seahag Lover and anything is my business if I say it is.¡± Captain Lucien said proudly.


    Prin wondered if it was his own ship and if he had personally named it. Prin was betting so.


    ¡°Do you want murderers on your ship? I would think it something to be avoided.¡± Crow said cooly.


    Captain Lucien burst out laughing. ¡°Are you hired entertainment? Who put you up to this?¡± He looked around exaggeratedly. Then said in a loud stage whisper. ¡°We¡¯re all murderers on my ship.¡±

 Chapter 125

    Crow frowned, clearly not accustomed to being treated with such disrespect.


    Elwin, who was standing slightly behind him at this point, watched his hands carefully, afraid he would be going for a weapon that he surely had hidden on his person. Elwin wished he could cross to the other side where Prin was.


    ¡°Consequences will come for you.¡± Crow said. He appeared still outwardly calm, but the line of his back was tense. ¡°But now that you¡¯ve been informed, there¡¯s not much else I can do.¡± He got the cigarette out after all, and took a step backwards.


    ¡°We aint afraid of you. You shrimpy land man in a cheap jacket!¡± Lucien sneered as he looked Crow up and down, clearly the man¡¯s fashion choices were the final insult in this whole interaction. He looked beside him again at Prin and Aster and his expression dramatically changed, like the sun coming out from behind heavy rain clouds. He grinned, taking the lunch basket and luggage from Aster without waiting for a protest. ¡°I guess the capn¡¯ couldn¡¯t bear to see you onto the ship, poor thing. Anyway, come along boys and.¡± He cast the sun onto Aster alone, almost blinding her with it. ¡°Angels.¡±


    The man was even more attractive somehow, with the little gap between his front teeth. Elwin didn¡¯t blame Aster for blushing.


    Captain Lucien led back the way he had come, toward the docked ship, where the men were pulling anchor and preparing to launch as the sun rose behind them in brilliant colors.


    Prin held his hand out to Elwin and Elwin went to him, taking it quickly and leaving Crow to fume in his wake.


    As they walked up the gang plank and onto the ship, Elwin kept looking back over his shoulder. He was pretty sure Crow had retreated, but what if he didn¡¯t leave and instead followed them onto the ship? Elwin thought Captain Lucien would have him tossed summarily over board, if he didn¡¯t do it personally, so at least there was that.


    ¡°So this is my humble abode!¡± Captain Lucien gestured around them. Although his voice didn¡¯t necessarily sound like he was introducing something humble.


    The ship was somewhat of an antique. Perhaps a rich man¡¯s sailing vessel a few decades passed its prime, but the deep rich tones in the carved wood, and the elegant lines were still plain to see as it eased into mellow decline.


    ¡°It¡¯s wonderful.¡± Aster said, running her hand along the sea serpent¡¯s tail of a banister, her voice implying she could only wish that she would age so well.


    Lucien continued to grin as the ship set sail, the men of his crew working efficiently around them. He reached out his hand and held Aster¡¯s shoulder to lend her stability as the ship took off with a shudder and a lurch.


    ¡°Still runs like a dream!¡± he declared. He led them to a sea green velvet cushioned wood couch set into an alcove beside double doors, that should lead into the captain¡¯s chambers, if Elwin had it right.


    A couch was certainly an odd thing to see on a ship¡¯s deck.


    ¡°Why is this here?¡± Prin asked, no judgement in his voice, just naked curiosity. Gods love him, he couldn¡¯t help himself.


    ¡°Style my good chap! Style and comfort.¡± Lucien guided Aster to the sofa, with his hand that was still on her shoulder and gently pushed her to sitting down. He plopped down beside her and stretched his legs out in front of him. ¡°Look at that vi¡ªiewww.¡±


    Prin sat down on the other side of him, gazing out over the deck of the ship, and out at the island retreating in front of them. He sighed.


    Elwin, seeing nothing better to do, squeezed in beside Prin in the small amount of seat remaining. He let out his own sigh.


    The sky was coming alive around them in rainbow sherbert colors reflecting onto the water in shivery bright darting brush strokes. Pink, orange, yellow, white, brighter pink, searing pink.


    He imagined Crow standing there, still seething. Vowing revenge.


    Once the ship was well underway, and Lucien had been quiet so long Elwin had assumed he must have fallen asleep, he felt his own eyelids grow heavy. The relief to finally be underway added to the lack of a proper night¡¯s sleep.


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    ¡°Oh! There¡¯s breakfast. If we aren¡¯t altogether too seasick.¡± Aster suggested from her end of the couch.


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± Prin said. ¡°I can always eat.¡± He laughed a little at himself, perhaps realizing what he had just said. ¡°How about you Aster?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay. Surprisingly.¡± Aster said. ¡°I would think it would make me sick to be facing backwards.¡±


    Captain Lucien took Aster¡¯s hand in his and pressed a spot in her palm near the base of the thumb. ¡°Is that too hard?¡±


    ¡°No?¡± Aster asked, confused.


    ¡°It¡¯s a remedy. Just press here if you feel a little ill. But I have tonics too.¡± Lucien said. ¡°Now, what have you got to eat?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t actually know!¡± Aster giggled prettily. She took her hand back and picked up the picnic basket onto her lap to rummage through. ¡°Looks like biscuits with fresh butter and jam. And some hard rolls with some sort of meat and cheese inside, and pastries, cookies.¡± Even the utensils were provided, and Aster laid a plaid napkin over her lap before splitting a biscuit in half and adding butter and jam generously on top. ¡°What does everyone want?¡±


    Aster passed the food around to the others and they all ate their fill, including Captain Lucien. Some of the men paused to look at them over their shoulder or passed close to the bench in their work, but they didn¡¯t say anything. Either intimidated by Aster, or instructed by their captain not to bother the guests. Or some combination of the two, Elwin figured.


    ¡°Well, you all are probably tired.¡± Lucien said. ¡°I should show you to your rooms.¡± He stood up and stretched his arms up over his head, his golden ponytail bouncing around without a care in the world.


    Elwin had a passing wonder as to if he was really the captain of this ship at all. Weren¡¯t captains usually busy? Busier? He looked around, and the men remaining on deck were going about their job. It was a little cold but a nice sunny day, the breeze sweeping in off the sea lifting and filling out the sails like sheets on a clothes line.


    As though to put a lie to what Elwin was thinking, Lucien turned toward the doors of the captain¡¯s chamber. ¡°Come on in. Don¡¯t mind the mess.¡±


    He opened the double doors to reveal, instead of the usual office, a bedroom. It was decked out in a huge wooden four post bed with thick green corduroy drapes to keep out the chill. They were currently tied back against the posts. The bed clothes were askew and the small desk under the porthole window was cluttered, but that was about the extent of the mess.


    There were two doors leading off the main room. The captain opened the first, leading to a small room with a toilet and water basin for washing up. ¡°Water closet.¡± He said.


    He led them to the other door and opened it onto a little bedroom with a small bed dressed in colorful homey looking patchwork quilts. There was a trunk for storage, a small porthole window above the bed letting in a sip of golden light from the sky.


    ¡°This is my guestroom.¡± Lucien said. He took Aster¡¯s hand again.


    Elwin couldn¡¯t help noticing he was very touchy feely where Aster was concerned and felt a protective surge. He wondered if he was frowning accidentally and tried to school his face into if not pleasant, at least a more neutral expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m having you stay in here.¡± Captain Lucien said to Aster very earnestly. ¡°My men are very good at following my rules. Because if they don¡¯t,¡± He drew his thumb across his throat and then laughed, as though to leave you wondering whether he was joking or not. ¡°they won¡¯t have a job with me any longer.¡± He turned to look at Prin and Elwin. ¡°I offer great pay and benefits! You should consider applying. Anyway, though they be better than most at following orders, they¡¯re still men, and you don¡¯t want to leave a forbidden cake out on a table and dare them not to take a bite. If you catch my drift.¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± Aster said, her eyes narrowing. Perhaps she was also thinking the captain was a bit too quick to take her hand, and wondering if he was not just trying to save the cake for himself.


    ¡°It¡¯s a comfy room and you don¡¯t have far to go to the toilet if you feel unwell.¡± Lucien said. ¡°And I¡¯ll be nearby.¡± He set Aster¡¯s bags on the narrow bed, and turned to Prin and Elwin. ¡°Alright boys, if you¡¯ll follow me, I¡¯ll take you to your room.¡± He led the way to the door back out to the deck.


    ¡°Ah, wait, I don¡¯t want to leave Aster.¡± Prin said quickly. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t split up.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? That room¡¯s too small for all three of ya.¡± Lucien said. ¡°I¡¯ll look after the wee one myself, not to worry.


    Elwin looked at Aster, determined to meet her eyes, but Prin was already doing so, and the conversation between them was clearly something like, I can take care of myself, or I can handle this guy. Aster winked at Prin and made a gesture with her hand that he should go on, and not make a fuss.


    Prin and Elwin somewhat reluctantly followed Lucien, as he showed them around the bridge, and then took them bellow decks and showed them a small room with a two tiered bunk on each side. ¡°Just for you though, no one in the other bunk.¡± He assured. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you alone now in case you want to get some rest.¡± He left, shutting the door behind him.


    Elwin listened keenly, afraid he would hear a slide then lock of them being imprisoned in their room. After a moment he got up quickly and opened the door, peeking at the captain¡¯s retreating backside. Yes, he was nice looking from that side as well.


    Elwin shut the door again and breathed a sigh of relief, sitting down on the lower bunk.


    Prin flopped down bonelessly beside him but quickly popped back up again like a jack in the box. ¡°I don¡¯t know about this, El. I don¡¯t really like it. There¡¯s plenty of room in here for Aster.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but . . . that one did look more comfortable.¡± Elwin admitted. And she won¡¯t have to worry about sleeping in the same room as Prin, who, he had noticed she was rightfully still wary of, although perfectly friendly and loving as ever. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to have plenty of excuses to check in on Aster.¡± He patted the doctor¡¯s kit, glad he hadn¡¯t somehow lost it already. Although he felt it was only a matter of time.


    ¡°Will we be safe here?¡± Prin wondered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Elwin said honestly. ¡°I think so. Safer than back on the island anyway.¡± He shuddered. How close a call had it been? By how much of a margin had they missed the pitchforks and torches? A day, a week, hours?

 Chapter 126

    Elwin planned to nap briefly, the gentle rocking of the boat swayed him to a relaxed dreamless sleep. However, when he woke up the pillow was hot against the side of his face and his body felt like it had been dragged down by an anchor. He knew then that he had slept a lot longer than planned.


    Prin was beside him, squeezed in between the wall and Elwin, though there were three other beds available. Elwin was glad though, like this he couldn¡¯t have gotten up and left without him knowing. The door had a little window, with a privacy panel that was left open, allowing some light into the room.


    Prin¡¯s form, shadowed by the upper bunk, looked as soft and sweet sleeping there as a little lamb. Elwin kissed the black curly top of his head, thinking of the nursery rhyme. ¡°Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?¡± He sung softly.


    Prin opened his eyes. The blue of them glowed unearthly in the dim light. He smiled. ¡°Did you have a good rest?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet.¡± Elwin admitted. He felt heavy with sleep, half dead with it still. ¡°I think we were out for a long time.¡±


    Prin caressed his cheek. ¡°I think I dreamt I was flying.¡±


    ¡°No wonder you¡¯re in such a good mood.¡± Elwin teased. He kissed Prin¡¯s forehead. ¡°I better let you get back to it then. I¡¯m gonna go see how Aster¡¯s doing and I¡¯ll see if I can find us some lunch ¨C supper? Something to bring back.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin murmured before turning towards the wall and falling back to sleep again.


    Elwin patted his back before quickly leaving, vowing to himself to return again before Prin woke up for real. He carried his medical satchel with him to the captain¡¯s chambers.


    There was a heavy, late afternoon quality to the air, supper it was then. No one stopped him on the way, so he walked right up to the captain¡¯s chambers and opened the door.


    He almost backed out again slowly and closed the door when he saw what he was intruding on.


    Both Captain Lucien and Aster were on the bed, and undressed down to their knickers. Well, in Aster¡¯s case it was knee length bloomers and in the captain¡¯s case it was undershorts and a tshirt, both in vibrant blood red color.


    Lucien was standing up on the bed, gesticulating wildly with a wicked grin on his face. Aster was sitting cross legged in front of him, eating fruit from a basket and watching him with rapt attention.


    ¡°And then, he recited every word of his part! Perfectly. Turns out he was some sort of classically trained actor! The lady just screamed. A lot.¡± Lucien put his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. ¡°Help! Help! She wasn¡¯t really very good.¡± Lucien made a face. ¡°Captain Thompson let them both go, he was so impressed with the man¡¯s performance. But not before he was offered a spot on the crew!¡± He collapsed onto the bed in a fit of laughter.


    Aster laughed too. ¡°Do you ever put on any plays?¡± She saw Elwin standing there and smiled in his direction, holding out a strawberry in offer.


    Sometimes, but not like Cornelius could do.¡± Captain Lucien said.


    ¡°Lucien was my captain¡¯s cabin boy!¡± Aster said gleefully.


    ¡°Started as a cabin boy and worked my way up.¡± Lucien corrected.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Aster said.


    Elwin cautiously entered, a little afraid he would be drawn into something he wanted no part of. He shut the door behind him anyway, taking the chance.


    ¡°Oh, hello!¡± Captain Lucien shifted position on the bed to sit cross legged across from Aster. Although a brief flicker of disappointment crossed his face, probably due to his alone time with Aster coming to an end, he gave a friendly smile to Elwin. ¡°Where¡¯s your other half?¡±


    ¡°Oh he- he¡¯s still resting.¡± Elwin said, slightly startled to have Prin referred to like that. Although he didn¡¯t dislike it.


    ¡°Sit beside me bunny¡¯s bunny, come on over.¡± Aster patted the bed beside her. Her voice had a slightly slurred quality and, sure enough, there was a bottle of some sweet smelling liquor on the bed beside her. ¡°I bet you don¡¯t want a drink.¡±


    Should he take a sip? ¡°Maybe better not.¡± Elwin said. He sat down beside Aster.


    ¡°Lucien was regaling me with tales of fun and adventure on the high seas.¡± Aster said.


    ¡°Oh come on! You don¡¯t drink?¡± Captain Lucien picked up the bottle and waggled it in front of Elwin. ¡°A strapping young thing like you?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t ever.¡± Elwin said. He couldn¡¯t help but think of that other boat, and that other situation he had gotten into. Which had ended very badly. Still, Aster was here and he trusted Aster. Elwin took the bottle and sipped.


    He immediately started coughing as orange-honey flavored liquor as strong as a swift kick in the guts burned its way down his throat.


    ¡°Its good, right?¡± Aster patted his back. ¡°Light weight.¡± She giggled.


    ¡°Never trusting you again.¡± Elwin choked out between coughs.


    ¡°Oh poo.¡± Aster said. She handed him a glass from the bedside table.


    Elwin balked, eyeing it suspiciously.


    ¡°It¡¯s just water,¡± Aster said, ¡°silly.¡±


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    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Lucien took Elwin¡¯s black bag and opened it up without asking, and began rifling through the contents. ¡°You a doctor?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± Elwin said once he had taken a drink of water and caught his breath. ¡°Although I¡¯ve done a lot of bandaging up and nursing over the years.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not here to pick on me, are you?¡± Aster stuck out her lower lip and playfully turned away from Elwin. ¡°I¡¯m just fine now, I don¡¯t need any doctoring. Or nursing.¡±


    ¡°Aster . . . Let me see it.¡± Elwin said. ¡°It can¡¯t be all better already.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Lucien asked.


    ¡°Just a little scratch on my arm, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Aster insisted.


    ¡°I did notice there was a bandage there.¡± Lucien said. ¡°But I thought it might be rude to ask about it.¡± He poked Aster¡¯s arm, right in the center of the thick bandage that covered the lower half of it.


    Aster¡¯s face blanched of color, making the freckles stick out like spots on a bird¡¯s egg.


    ¡°Dear me.¡± Captain Lucien said softly. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like nothing. Let the doctor do his work!¡± He pushed the doctor¡¯s satchel toward Elwin.


    ¡°I am not a professional,¡± Elwin said. He took Aster¡¯s arm in his hands gently, untied the edge of the gauzy bandage, and slowly unwrapped it.


    ¡°Really, this isn¡¯t necessary.¡± Aster said, although her voice was weaker than before, taking the bite out of the protest.


    ¡°Here, little angel.¡± Lucien pressed the bottle to Aster¡¯s mouth and she downed a swig.


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about Elwin? This drink is so nice,¡± Aster said.


    Aster¡¯s arm still looked like two pieces of a patchwork quilt sewn together, and the area around the stitches was red and swollen, with a dark color spreading out from the wound.


    ¡°Ahhh . . . you need something stronger.¡± Lucien said.


    ¡°Talk to me. Tell me a story to distract me.¡± Aster commanded. ¡°Make it a good one.¡±


    Elwin dug in the bag and came out with a blue glass bottle with an elegantly handwritten label that read, Take one capful for pain. He poured some thick, acrid smelling liquid into the cap and handed it to Aster.


    Aster drank it down quickly and it was her turn to cough and gag. She swallowed down another swig of liquor to drown out the taste and turned her face away from Elwin, so as not to see what he was doing. ¡°Well ¨C commence with the distracting.¡± She waved one be ringed hand in the air.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Lucien stood up, then thought better of it and sat back down on the bed staying still. ¡°Okay ¨C Jeeze that does not look good.¡±


    ¡°Lucien!¡± Aster yelled.


    ¡°Alright! I love it when you call my name.¡± Captain Lucien winked at Aster.


    Elwin agreed with the captain¡¯s assessment of the wound and knew he wasn¡¯t really qualified for this. However, they were on a ship in the middle of the ocean, so he would have to do until someone better came along. Probably on land.


    He dug through the bag and pulled out antibiotic salve and fresh bandages. He now knew why Captain Thompson had been so insistent he take this bag of supplies.


    ¡°Hmm, alright! I¡¯ve got one.¡± Lucien said. ¡°So one night there was a hell of a storm. If you¡¯ve never experienced a storm at sea, you¡¯ve never seen one at all. This happened shortly after I had been promoted from cabin boy to REAL crew member and I was feel damn pleased with myself. Cut of the loot, full participant in all of the fun . . . Anyway, so the storm was an all hands on deck type of affair and it was the middle of the night before the sea finally wore herself out from the tantrum and finally took a rest.


    Captain Thompson, he had to be as tired as the rest of us. But that man always had stamina, I¡¯ll give him that. Does he still . . ? Never mind. Anyway.¡±


    Elwin rubbed the salve over Aster¡¯s stiches, flinching when she sucked in a sharp breath at his touch. This was definitely infected. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He said.


    ¡°Look at me.¡± Lucien made a funny face, sticking his tongue out like he was entertaining a child. He took Aster¡¯s face in his hands and looked into her eyes. ¡°Still with me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, for the last time,¡± Aster said. ¡°He does. Still have stamina.¡±


    Captain Lucien laughed. ¡°I figured, I figured.¡±


    ¡°The storm ended?¡± Aster prompted, hissing through her clenched teeth.


    ¡°Right, so Cornelius wanted to do the rounds of the ship, check her for any damage. The parts we could see anyway. Right then and there.


    So I went around with him holding the lantern. He starts telling me this story of this cabin boy who got washed overboard in a storm. Just a little old thing he was, not even ten years old.


    After he disappeared into the sea. . . The ocean will take her piece once in a while, you know? The sea will demand her bit of man flesh. In tribute.


    Anyway, after the boy died, went missing, they would hear his ghostly moans and dragging of his weak foot, had been injured in the foot some time before and had a distinctive walk, so they said? Every time a storm was coming . . .


    So, he was getting a good scare into me, tellin¡¯ me this tale. And when we got to the galley, we heard it. Moan, moan, scraaaape . . .¡± Captain Lucien drew out the words for effect.


    Elwin unwrapped a fresh roll of bandages and began to wrap them around Aster¡¯s arm. He was scared of doing it too tight, but he didn¡¯t want them to be loose and fall off. So, he had to wrap the arm firmly in bandages.


    Aster took it stoically. She was clearly trying hard not to show pain, but couldn¡¯t control the expressions of her face very well.


    ¡°It was coming from the pantry!¡± Lucien said. ¡°But definitely not the ship¡¯s cat going after a rat. Though I had been scared by that one before. Slowly the two of us walked across the galley, tip toeing, like we were afraid of scaring the ghost off! When we got to the pantry door, Cornelius nudged me in front of him. He was going to make me confront the ghost! I tried to back away . . . I was so terrified I would have pissed myself but I couldn¡¯t stand Captain Thompson to lose all respect for me. He was really handsome.¡± Here Lucien grinned rakishly before continuing the story. ¡°I decided it was up to me! And if the ghost was gonna jump out and force someone overboard into a watery grave, it was better me than Cornelius! So I threw open the pantry door, with only a lantern in my hand and no weapon to fight off a supernatural ghoul!¡± His face started to crack a smile before he even got to the end of it.


    ¡°It was only the cook and Lord Eaglestone, one of the prisoners turned crew, getting it on. Thinking that would be a nice secret place. Knocking stuff over, really going at it.¡± He laughed uproariously. ¡°You shoulda seen the looks on their faces!¡±


    Aster laughed weakly. ¡°He knew what it was. Corny did. Or he wouldn¡¯t have sent you in first. Not if he really thought there was anything dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right, I never thought of it that way.¡± Lucien said. ¡°Are you rallying, love? Feel any better?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s kicking in.¡± Aster said, putting her hand to her forehead. ¡°I feel all loopy doopy.¡±


    Captain Lucien laughed. ¡°That could also be the drink.¡±


    ¡°At least the pain has abated.¡± Aster said. ¡°Thank you, honey, I didn¡¯t mean to be ungrateful.¡± She touched Elwin¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re a doll.¡±


    ¡°O-oooh, honey is it?¡± Lucien winked playfully at Elwin.


    ¡°Guess that¡¯s my cue to get out of here.¡± Elwin stood up. Everyone was too drunk and touchy feely for his taste. He wondered if he should worry about Aster. Prin would, but to Elwin she seemed pretty comfortable. ¡°Do you want to come and nap with Prin?¡± he asked. If Aster didn¡¯t feel as comfortable as she looked, this would give her an out.


    ¡°No, I think I¡¯ll stay right here.¡± Aster¡¯s eyelids fluttered. An almost matching flutter of movement caught Elwin¡¯s eye from above a curl that rested over those sleepy soulful eyes.


    ¡°You keep an eye on her and let me know if she needs me.¡± Elwin told the fairy.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Lucien asked.


    ¡°Oh! He¡¯s probably talking to Ruby. Never mind it.¡± Aster said drowsily. ¡°My little fairy friend that follows me around all the time.¡±


    Captain Lucien just laughed. ¡°Ya¡¯ll are something else.¡±


    Elwin waved his goodbyes and took his doctor¡¯s kit with him out the door.


    As he was pushing on the door he almost knocked someone over who was standing there.


    Staring and glaring at the captain¡¯s door.

 Chapter 127

    The young man that Elwin almost knocked over, turned away quickly, as though he were trying to act casual and pretend he hadn¡¯t been glowering away here in front of the captain¡¯s chambe. It wasn¡¯t working and he let out a loud sigh, his shoulders slumping as he realized he was caught.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell him I was out there.¡± He said, all but defeated.


    He was a tall and well-formed young man, past being a boy but maybe not much past, a little older then Prin and Elwin, Elwin reckoned.


    He had wavy, curly brown hair that fell down over his shoulders and a face with a full cupid¡¯s bow of a mouth and large sensitive eyes. Hound dog eyes.


    ¡°Tell who?¡± Elwin asked.


    ¡°Lucien.¡± The boy hissed, as though Elwin were asking an insultingly stupid question. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to walk away.


    ¡°Were you spying?¡± Elwin asked. Not that it was any of his business, but he wondered if he should have another reason to worry about Aster now.


    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I?¡± The boy swirled back around and glared at Elwin. He certainly was expressive. But if Elwin was supposed to be scared or intimidated, it wasn¡¯t working.


    ¡°Giving away my room and then . . . sharing a bed.¡± The boy grumbled. ¡°Is that red headed thing yours? If so, take him back!¡± He shot a quick look at the door, hoping he hadn¡¯t been loud enough to attract notice.


    He started to walk away and Elwin followed him. ¡°Aster doesn¡¯t belong to me. She¡¯s my friend though. Hey, can you show me to the galley so I can get some food?¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Elwin said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to give up your room.¡± He said awkwardly. ¡°It¡¯s only temporary. Are you ¨C What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s YOUR name?¡± the boy countered.


    ¡°I¡¯m Elwin.¡± He felt his patience being sorely tried, but he was hungry so he continued following.


    ¡°Martin.¡± The boy said. He sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being rude like this. I¡¯m not even supposed to talk to guests . . .¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Elwin asked.


    They turned a corner and Martin pushed open a door into a dining area. He held the door for Elwin.


    ¡°I guess. . . because I might be rude to them, I don¡¯t know.¡± Martin said.


    Elwin bit his lip to keep from laughing, as he was fairly sure the humor wasn¡¯t intentional. ¡°Are you and the captain a couple?¡± he asked. Maybe he shouldn¡¯t have asked that.


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t put it that way.¡± Martin said. He went to the kitchen area and started pulling things out. ¡°What do you want? They eat supper late around here, won¡¯t be for a while. How about a sandwich. I make a mean sandwich.¡± He perked up a little, peeking at Elwin from behind an errant lock of hair.


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    ¡°I could do it myself ¨C¡± He looked slightly crestfallen so Elwin quickly changed course. ¡°Yes please! Could I have two? There are two of us.¡±


    ¡°As long as the second one isn¡¯t for the red-head.¡± Martin chopped through a tomato with unnecessary force as he said it.


    ¡°Er, it¡¯s not.¡± Elwin said. ¡°But Aster is not a bad sort, maybe you should go in and talk to them both.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if this was really a good idea but it was all he had. Elwin got settled in to the wooden bench seat. This was a smaller galley than the one on that other ship but it had a very cozy lived in feeling. The heavy slab of wood he was sitting on had the indents of decades of butts, so that it almost formed seats.


    ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to go in there.¡± Martin said.


    ¡°Do you always do only what you¡¯re supposed to?¡± Elwin teased.


    Martin smiled a little. ¡°No I do not.¡± He cut four thick slices of bread and buttered them and drizzled them with honey. ¡°Trust me on this.¡± He held up the bottle of honey.


    ¡°You seem to know your way around the kitchen.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°I used to do a lot of cooking before I joined the crew.¡± Martin said. ¡°In some ways it suited me better. But Lucien . . .¡± He sighed again.


    ¡°Did you join the crew just for him? He seems . . . very charming.¡± Elwin said. He felt cozy watching someone cook again, it was always a comfortable familiar atmosphere for him.


    ¡°Not really.¡± Martin said. ¡°Well, yeah, I guess I did.¡± He chopped up some lettuce and thick slices of chicken. ¡°Before I joined, it was like my whole life was laid out by someone else, like a Sunday outfit set out on the bed. All I had to do was put it on and everything would be just as it should be. Just as they thought it should be. I guess for me it was a good thing when we got captured. I shouldn¡¯t say that.¡±


    Elwin¡¯s eyes widened, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. So Martin was a captive? Or at one point was, anyway? If that¡¯s the case, how much of a choice was it really to join the crew? If the other one may be to walk the plank. Elwin hoped he was never faced with such a choice.


    ¡°So you like it here?¡± Elwin asked cautiously.


    ¡°Oh sure!¡± Martin smiled brightly. He took a jar of something out and opened it, the smell of sweet pickles permeating the air. He sliced them in half longways and added them to the sandwiches. ¡°I just wish he felt about me like I feel about him.¡±


    Just then, the door swung open and a woman came in.


    Elwin was a little surprised, but he was surprised at himself for being surprised at anything anymore, least of all a woman on a pirate ship.


    She had dark hair pulled up into a bun on top of her head, and skin almost as smooth and weathered rich brown as the wood of the ship itself.


    ¡°Hey, are you messing in my food again? Maybe I was going to use that.¡± She said to Martin. But her tone was light and unserious.


    Elwin was relieved since he had witnessed a lot of major kitchen battles that started out that way and ended in tears or worse.


    ¡°It¡¯s for the guests.¡± Martin said. ¡°This is Elwin.¡±


    ¡°Ooooh, cute! I can see why you rushed to feed him.¡± The woman said. She sat down beside Elwin and offered her hand. ¡°Meela.¡±


    Elwin shook her hand, it wasn¡¯t a custom he was used to but he had seen it done.


    ¡°I¡¯m the cook here, please ask me if you need anything and don¡¯t just go helping yourself, like this one.¡± She cocked her thumb at Martin. ¡°He sort of gets a pass on whatever because he is the captain¡¯s favorite.¡±


    ¡°Not anymore.¡± Martin said sulkishly.


    Meela waved her hand dismissively. ¡°He¡¯s so dramatic. So, tell me about you?¡± She smiled at Elwin, revealing a gold canine tooth flashing in the light.


    ¡°I¡¯m- I¡¯m just here to catch a ride off that island, to be honest.¡± Elwin said. He really hoped no one tried to get them to join the crew. As nice as they seemed they were still pirates.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Meela nodded. ¡°Captain usually doesn¡¯t allow civilians on board, ya¡¯ll must be special.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s more of a favor to his old captain, more than we are special or anything.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°O-oh! That¡¯ll do it.¡± Meela said. ¡°Good old Captain Thompson.¡± She turned to Martin. ¡°Hey, make a couple more sandwiches, will ya?¡±


    Martin got the stuff back out and began working on more sandwiches. ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t want people spoiling their supper.¡±


    ¡°What do I care?¡± Meela said.


    ¡°Wait until you taste this.¡± Martin said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not for me,¡± Meela said. In answer to his questioning look, she added. ¡°They¡¯re for the stowaway in the cargo hold.¡±


    Elwin froze to his seat, his first thought being one word.


    Crow.

 Chapter 128

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯sa matter?¡± Meela nudged Elwin with her elbow, having immediately noticed him tense up and his face drain of color.


    Elwin couldn¡¯t answer, his mind was whirring with the cricket noises of pure panic. As he waited for it to clear so he could use his senses again, images of Crow and then, the dead body of Hobbs and Aster¡¯s burning shack flashed before his eyes like a badly done play.


    No no no. How could he have followed them? How? And would this be treated so casually? The captain not even informed?


    ¡°You alright there?¡± Meela patted him roughly on the back.


    ¡°I-¡° Elwin, while struggling to reply, finally got a notion through his head. What if it wasn¡¯t Crow? Could Crow have charmed himself onto the ship? Even getting a crew member to bring him food? Highly unlikely. No, if it were him he would have had to stay well hidden.


    Elwin¡¯s mind flashed to a different face instead, one that was obstinate and clever, with emotional swings that could lead to such a crazy decision. One who had an almost sweet, childish crush on Prin. He wouldn¡¯t put it past Valor at all to have somehow gotten himself into the hold of the ship and convinced someone to take care of him and bring him sandwiches.


    But if it was Valor, Elwin couldn¡¯t leave him alone in the hold of a ship full of pirates.


    ¡°You have to take me to the stowaway.¡± Elwin said.


    The tone of his voice must have been such that allowed no arguments. Because Meela just gave him a funny look, but didn¡¯t try to refuse.


    ¡°Sure, okay. Just grab the sandwiches.¡± She said.


    Meela led him through the pirate ship, past people doing their jobs, or standing around having a smoke or chatting. The atmosphere wasn¡¯t bad on this ship, Elwin had to admit. Though he was a little too distracted at the moment to enjoy the view.


    Martin tagged along behind them, curious to see what the fuss was about, and no doubt craving the distraction.


    ¡°There¡¯s not much cargo beyond supplies at the moment,¡± Meela said, oddly apologetic. Like she thought Elwin would be expecting to see chests overflowing with gold, piles of ornate weapons, and maybe a dragon or two.


    She threw back a set of double doors and led them into a darkened room.


    Elwin had a brief nervous thought of traps and ambushes. But, wasn¡¯t he the one who had insisted on being brought here? It should be fine. Even if it was somehow Crow, what was he going to do, take a shot at Elwin in front of witnesses? And trapped on a ship at that?


    Still, he walked slowly into the darkened cargo hold, spotting the light from a small oil lamp in the far corner.


    The light cast blacker shadows on the already dark room, turning stacks of crates into castle towers and barrels of water and sacks of potatoes into monsters that slunk and slugged along out of the corners of the cavernous room.


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    ¡°Who¡¯s in here?¡± Martin called. He seemed to be a little nervous himself, but also delighted at the prospect of adventure.


    ¡°Aww, Meela what¡¯d you do? Bring the whole ship down here for a visit?¡± A familiar voice asked.


    Elwin blinked, not sure he could immediately place it. But he knew that voice.


    The person who walked out of the corner carrying an oil lantern was someone Elwin had genuinely expected not to ever see again.


    ¡°Oh, hey, Elwin!¡± She said cheerily. Dru¡¯s dark hair was slicked back from her face and trimmed, and she was no longer wearing glasses. This had the effect of seeming like she had removed a mask, or at least something that had softened her appearance. She looked very dapper in fitted grey slacks and a long leather coat, although her outfit was distinctly lacking in any added embellishments or accessories.  But which was the disguised appearance? The old one, or this?


    ¡°Hello?¡± Elwin was genuinely baffled.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s not exactly top secret that you¡¯re down here. Not so good at keeping quiet, are ya?¡± Meela tapped her head. ¡°Captain just keeping some plausible deniability, I reckon.¡±


    Dru eyed Meela¡¯s hands until she handed over the sandwiches. At which point she sat right down on a crate and took several big bites in rapid succession. ¡°This is soooo good.¡± When she had paused for air she added. ¡°If I had stayed quiet I¡¯d still be hungry right now.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem very comfortable.¡± Martin scratched his head. He was watching Dru eat, seeming just as confused by this whole thing as Elwin was. ¡°Careful you don¡¯t choke.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m an old hand at eating.¡± Dru assured.


    Meela gave a snort of laughter.


    Elwin felt oddly disappointed that it wasn¡¯t Valor. Although he had already been trying to piece it out in his head as to how they would have gotten him safely back home. At least he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about that now. This one was on her own. And she seemed like she could handle it.


    ¡°It takes some real brass balls to sneak onto a pirate ship.¡± Martin said. ¡°Weren¡¯t you afraid of being taken prisoner? Or forced off the ship in the middle of the ocean?¡±


    Elwin too wondered this.


    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s Captain Tompson¡¯s niece.¡± Meela said. ¡°So nothing like that will happen.¡±


    ¡°O-oooh!¡± Martin said, then, after a pause. ¡°Wait, that makes even less sense that you¡¯re down here.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t want her uncle to try and stop her,¡± Meela said.


    ¡°He has some old fashioned ideas about what¡¯s safe for a woman to do, or some rot.¡± Dru said dismissively. ¡°Besides I didn¡¯t want to upset him.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t he be more upset when he sees you¡¯ve disappeared?¡± Elwin asked. He couldn¡¯t understand the timing of this. Captain Thompson would definitely be upset now after losing both Aster and his niece on the same day.


    ¡°I did leave a note, not to worry.¡± Dru said. ¡°It¡¯s not like he¡¯s going to think you killed me or something!¡± She laughed a little too hard at this. Prompting Elwin to wonder once again, what it was that she knew exactly.


    ¡°Are you joining up?¡± Martin wondered.


    ¡°Oh hell no!¡± Dru had the grace to look momentarily sheepish. ¡°I mean, excuse me and everything. I¡¯m just not cut out to be anyone¡¯s rank and file crew. Not me.¡± She turned back to Elwin, as though thinking he needed more of an explanation.


    ¡°The island was getting too cramped for me. It was much too small. That¡¯s how I am, once I have seen all there is to see and done all there is to do, there¡¯s not much more reason to stick around, now is there?¡±


    ¡°I used to be like that when I was younger,¡± Meela said. She reached out and ruffled Dru¡¯s hair. It looked better tousled. ¡°You grow out of that eventually and are just glad if you can get a decently paying stable job.¡±


    Dru stuck out her tongue. ¡°I¡¯ll never grow into being boring. Just shoot me first.¡±


    ¡°I bet you have some stories to tell.¡± Martin said admiringly. He looked a little too much like he was buying into what she was selling.


    ¡°You bet I do.¡± Dru winked at him. ¡°But right now I¡¯m going to take nap. Bring me some wine next time, would you kid?¡±

 Chapter 129

    As Elwin carried the sandwiches back to the room he shared with Prin, he wondered how he would handle the news of Dru being a stowaway on the ship. He wasn¡¯t sure how he himself was handling it, but he had decided he didn¡¯t think she was a threat, had never felt any sinister feelings from her, more bafflement if he was being honest. This was yet another strange move like most of the other things she had said and done every time he met her.


    But Prin had even less of a chance to speak with her back at the captain¡¯s house than Elwin did. As far as he knew.


    Elwin arrived just in time, as Prin was sitting on the edge of the bed and putting his boots on.


    Prin gave him a cheesy grin. ¡°I was ready to come out and rescue you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry it took so long,¡± Elwin said. ¡°You¡¯ll never believe what happened.¡± He sat down beside Prin and rested his head on his shoulder for a moment. It was hard to believe how strong and sturdy these shoulders were now, when not that long ago his prince had been so frail and small for his age.


    Elwin handed over the sandwich, and relayed the discovery of the unexpected stowaway while Prin ate his with careful steady bites.


    ¡°Hey, this is pretty good.¡± Prin said. ¡°Not as good as yours, but still.¡±


    ¡°How did you know it wasn¡¯t me who made it?¡± Elwin teased.


    ¡°I can always tell.¡± Prin assured. ¡°But anyway . . . Captain Thompson¡¯s niece? That¡¯s so . . .¡±


    ¡°Random?¡± Elwin supplied.


    Prin took another bite. ¡°Something like that.¡± He said with a full mouth. Once he had swallowed he added. ¡°You don¡¯t think she¡¯s following us, do you?¡±


    ¡°No . . . I mean not really.¡± Elwin said. But why did she sneak aboard this ship? He wasn¡¯t really satisfied with her answer.


    ¡°So should we just . . . not worry about it?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°That was my plan. Unless you had some different thoughts on the matter.¡± Elwin said. ¡°She has always seemed a little odd to me, but nothing I can put my finger on.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we all though.¡± Prin said. ¡°Or, more than a little.¡±


    Elwin took a bite of his own sandwich and considered what Prin said. Maybe they were too odd to point it out in others.


    *


    ¡°Oh-leeo the apple tree! It¡¯s the pirate life for mee! Oh-leeo the apple tree my pirate lover kissed me!¡±


    The pirates ate a late supper indeed, and when Elwin and Prin arrived at the galley at nine o clock it was full of crew, probably most everyone who was on the ship, if Elwin had to guess.


    They were a colorful bunch, no two alike. And Aster, as always the most colorful one of all, was singing at the top of her considerably powerful lungs with the others clapping along and some joining in. She was sitting beside Captain Lucien. Elwin was surprised she wasn¡¯t just standing on the table the way she was carrying on.


    ¡°One, two, three, the pirate captain kissed me! Oh-leeo the apple tree!¡± Aster sang.


    Captain Lucien was sitting beside her, with Martin on the other side of him casting some serious side eye.


    Lucien game Aster one, two, three, kisses on her unseasonably rosy cheek. ¡°Coming right up, just as requested!¡±


    Aster dissolved into giggles. She looked up after catching her breath and saw Prin and Elwin coming into the room. ¡°Bunny! Bunnies!¡±


    Oh I have been upgraded to bunny now? Elwin wondered. ¡°You really should be resting.¡±


    ¡°I did that already!¡± Aster protested. ¡°And you might not know this but indomitable energy is one of my defining traits.¡±


    Lucien laughed. ¡°It¡¯s right there on the old resume is it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Aster said with a wink. ¡°I guess my reputation really did proceed me.¡±


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    ¡°A really strong one always does,¡± Lucien said. ¡°Pull up a seat, kids, and get some stew in you!¡± He made a gesture in front of him, and the men seated across from him at the table immediately picked up their food and moved to another table without a word of protest.


    Prin sat down across from Aster and took her hand over the table, with a warm smile. Leaving Elwin to sit directly across from the captain himself.


    Martin got up quickly, and Elwin thought for a moment he was leaving all in a huff but he came back quickly with bowls of fragrant stew and hard thin bread like homemade crackers. He disappeared again and came back with mugs of mead he sat down beside Elwin and Prin¡¯s bowls.


    ¡°Good boy.¡± Captain Lucien said.


    This seemed to make Martin even more peeved and he stuck out his lower lip in a pout, taking his seat again beside the captain.


    ¡°How are you Aster?¡± Prin wanted to know.


    ¡°Just fine, fine,¡± Aster said. ¡°Why, what have you heard?¡± She added with a laugh.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Prin laughed too. He seemed relaxed, more so than he had been before they got on the boat.


    Elwin wished that he could say the same. He was wary of the ocean, the ship, but most of all the pirates. Any of those could betray you, but people were worst of all. He supposed Prin felt they had made a successful escape.


    ¡°Eat up.¡±  Captain Lucien urged. ¡°Meela is the best cook who¡¯s ever worked for me! And that¡¯s saying something.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t over hype it.¡± Meela said with a laugh, leaning back in her chair at a nearby table. ¡°It¡¯s simple fare today. Give me some time and extra supplies and I¡¯ll cook us up a real feast.¡±


    Elwin took a bite of his stew and it was savory, well seasoned, and delicious, with generous chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions. Something simple, as she had said, but made the best of.


    ¡°It¡¯s really good.¡± Elwin said.


    ¡°Aww, I¡¯m not used to compliments.¡± Meela said. But her smile said she had full confidence in her food.


    Prin was looking at Lucien was his head tilted to the side, as though he were considering saying something but not sure if he should. He continued holding onto Aster¡¯s hand for comfort.


    Aster gave him a curious smile, tilting her own head to the side in an unconsciously mirroring pose. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, hun?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s the matter.¡± Prin said. ¡°I just want to talk to the captain and I¡¯m deciding if now is the right time or not.¡±


    Elwin bit his lip, but didn¡¯t say anything. He would have to trust that Prin knew what he was doing, and what it was safe to talk about. It was hard to trust, even Prin, with that.


    ¡°Huh? Fire away! What¡¯s stopping you?¡± Lucien said. ¡°I¡¯m very approachable.¡±


    ¡°Ask anyone.¡± Aster teased.


    Captain Lucien snickered and patted Aster¡¯s head, wrapping her long red braid around his hand. ¡°Seriously.¡± He said, trying to school his features into something serious to match his tone.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Prin took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m looking for a witch. I don¡¯t know . . . her name or what she looks like. But, the last time she was seen she was getting on a boat with an ugly mermaid figurehead, going in . . . vaguely this direction? Right, Elwin? We think, but that¡¯s not certain either.¡±


    Lucien let go of Aster¡¯s hair and leaned back on his bench, scratching his chin full of artful blonde stubble. ¡°That¡¯s not a lot to go on.¡±


    ¡°We know.¡± Prin said with a grimace. ¡°But this is . . . this is very important.¡±


    ¡°First of all, there are a lo-ot of ships with ugly mermaid figureheads, sorry to be the one to tell you. Some intentional and some not.¡± Captain Lucien laughed. ¡°I never wanted to put a figurehead on this beauty.¡± He patted the table as though lovingly petting the leg of a beloved horse. ¡°It¡¯s a classic, wouldn¡¯t want to mess up the lines. However it is quite the rage among pirates, and even rich boy¡¯s little yachts.¡± He laughed again to show what he thought of such frivolous vessels owned by worthless frivolous people.


    Prin sighed. ¡°I was afraid of that. And neither of us actually saw it ourselves so it¡¯s not like we can pick it out of a lineup. The only thing else I know . . . is she¡¯s a very powerful witch, a shapeshifter. People don¡¯t believe me but it¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°So you are determined to find this witch. Either you need her help, she screwed you over. Or, she¡¯s your long lost mother!¡± Lucien pointed at Prin as though he had surely figured it out with that one.


    Prin gave him a little crooked smile. ¡°Definitely not my mother but as far as the first two, a little of column A, a lot of column B.¡±


    Captain Lucien nodded as though he knew it all along. ¡°There¡¯s two kinds of powerful witch, the kind who hides away deep in the woods somewhere hoping no one can find her to bother her. OR, the type that puts out their skills for hire.¡± He rubbed his fingers together. ¡°Can make a lot of money that way! I even knew one who lived on a houseboat one time and did people¡¯s fortunes from right on her boat. Not particularly skilled though. More of a novelty act, that one.¡±


    ¡°I think she does that.¡± Prin said. ¡°Yes, she must.¡±


    ¡°Well hey, that¡¯s a good place to start!¡± Captain Lucien said. He leaned across the table and put his hand on Prin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You seem like a smart lad, and well connected, here¡¯s what you do. Put out the word, ads in papers, banners at festivals, whatever you gotta do. Say you¡¯ve got this big well paying job for a witch, make it an offer she can¡¯t refuse. And she¡¯ll come to you! You won¡¯t have to do a thing.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t that take a while?¡± Prin asked.


    ¡°And be really expensive.¡± Elwin mused. Although, the idea wasn¡¯t totally without merit.


    ¡°Yep. And you¡¯d have to stay in one place and wait for her to come. Maybe not so good to be gallivanting around on the open seas, you¡¯ll never find her that way!¡± Captain Lucien said.


    Prin looked crestfallen. ¡°We don¡¯t have any money. And we can¡¯t wait for years for her to show up.¡±


    ¡°Not to mention all the other witches and wizards that will show up to take the job.¡± Aster pointed out. ¡°Of course, maybe one of them could help . . . the ones that seem any good you could let them have a try.¡±


    Prin leaned his chin on his fist. ¡°It¡¯s not something we can do.¡± He said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure something will come to you! If it¡¯s important enough, any problem can be solved.¡± Captain Lucien said cheerily.


    Prin took a lackadaisical bite of his stew, perking up a little when he saw the taste was to his liking. ¡°If you have no choice but to solve it, then eventually you will. Whatever it takes.¡± He said grimly.