ã€ŠThe Orphan and the Thiefã€‹


 Chapter 1: The Lost Thief

    Toad, a boy of twelve with wild, messy hair and a coat far too large for him, walked down the streets of Hickory in a daze. He passed his favorite sweet shop without a glance; his eyes didn¡¯t even stray after a chattering woman, dressed in vibrant silks, her glittering, ring-covered fingers lazily holding a leather handbag, practically screaming to be pinched. He stumbled like a drunk, bumping into people and not bothering to reply to their curses.

    ¡°Watchit!¡±

    Toad looked up in time to see a horse and buggy skid to a halt, inches from trampling him. He hadn¡¯t even noticed it.

    ¡°Look where you¡¯re going, louse!¡± the buggy driver yelled.

    Toad merely looked away and shuffled on, his mind too preoccupied with looping the horrible conversation he had just sat through.

    I had hopes for you. But I was wrong.

    You ain¡¯t cut out to be a Rambler, boy. I don¡¯t want to see you back here, understood?

    How could this have happened? How could Jack have kicked him out? So what if Toad wasn¡¯t the best thief in the city. He¡¯d been getting better. Loads better. He just got overexcited, that was all.

    How could Jack have kicked him out?

    Toad stopped beside a large pet menagerie, his chest tight and painful. The shower that morning was gone and the hot summer sunlight bounced off the store¡¯s glass window, momentarily blinding him. He stepped under the striped awning. His reflection looked back at him in the giant front window: slump-shouldered and hollow-eyed. He looked far removed from the confident Rambler he¡¯d been a mere day ago.

    Behind the store¡¯s window were straw-covered cages, each with a Spit-Fire. Toad watched the miniature dragons smolder and chirp. They were the size of large cats and ranged from fiery red to cool blue. With a sickening twist of his stomach, Toad was flung back to Marsh Manor, where everything had crumbled around his ears: Lynch arrested, Madam Marsh¡¯s fine porcelain left behind as Toad bolted, an angry Spit-Fire at his heels.

    It¡¯s time you faced facts, Toad, Jack had said. I can¡¯t keep paying for your mistakes.

    Toad leaned close, resting his forehead against the warm glass, staring at a lavender Spit-Fire curled up into a tight ball, fast asleep; small corkscrew swirls of smoke escaped its nostrils. If only he had a Spit-Fire, then he¡¯d train it to steal for him. It¡¯d scale the sides of houses and slip through open windows, stashing whatever it could grab in its jaws, while he stayed on the street, safely out of view. No one ¡ª not even brutish Bone ¡ª would bully him if he had a Spit-Fire.

    ¡°Hey! You! Get away from there!¡± The owner bustled out of the shop, flapping a broom.

    Scowling, Toad stuffed his fists into his pockets and slouched away, settling down onto a bit of curb once the menagerie was out of sight.

    What was he going to do?

    The panic in Toad¡¯s chest began to froth in earnest. He didn¡¯t know how to live without the Ramblers. They were all he knew ¡ª all he had ever known. He couldn¡¯t remember a day not spent as a member of the thief gang. Where was Toad supposed to go now? If only he could get in touch with his father! But Toad had never bothered to learn to read or write and he didn¡¯t have a clue where his father even was. Halfway across Calendula? In the middle of the Olgen Sea? How was a letter supposed to reach the pirate all the way out there ¡­ and (Toad¡¯s chest constricted still further) would his father even want him once he¡¯d learned his son had been kicked out of the Ramblers? Would a pirate embrace a son who couldn¡¯t even steal?

    A thief wasn¡¯t anybody without his mates. Toad wasn¡¯t anybody without the Ramblers. The hot, bubbling panic boiled upward so that, much to Toad¡¯s horror, pricks of tears stung his eyes.

    He was alone. He was completely alone.

    Bone put Jack up to this, Toad though savagely, his insides twisting. Bone, Jack¡¯s right hand man, had always hated Toad. Always bullied him. He must have convinced Jack to toss him out ¡ª terrified that Toad would someday replace him as Jack¡¯s second in command. At the thought Toad felt a surge of bitter pride. That was it. Bone was threatened by him. It was common knowledge that Jack had been fond of Toad, had even, at times, doted on him. This assault on his thieving skills was all due to Bone, not Jack. Jack had even admitted that he didn¡¯t want to get rid of him.

    Eardrums ringing, Toad leapt to his feet. He just had to talk to Jack alone. Convince him that he was a Rambler, through and through.

    He spun around and sprinted back up the street, speeding past the Spit-Fire dragon display, dashing in front of two more buggies, even knocking into a dithering old lady. Her shopping bag dropped to the ground, spewing copious amounts of cat food and honey nuggets onto the cobbled street. Her furious shrieks followed him as he dived into a side alley, framed by graffitied, worn-down buildings. Breathing hard, he hammered on a splintered door, half-hidden behind piles of moldy trash. Without waiting for a reply, he spoke: ¡°A thief a knockin¡¯.¡±

    A narrow bit of wood slid away and a pair of bloodshot, droopy eyes peered down at him through a peephole.

    A voice that matched the pained eyes moaned, ¡°Whatcha doin¡¯ round here, Toad?¡±

    ¡°Wilson, I need to talk to Jack¡ª¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    ¡°No can do,¡± Wilson said with a shake of his head. ¡°Jack¡¯s orders.¡±

    ¡°Come on!¡± Toad stormed, stomping his foot. ¡°I just gotta talk to him!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Wilson¡¯s doleful eyes looked down at him in sympathy. ¡°We ain¡¯t all made to be pinchers, lad.¡± Wilson began to slide the wood back over the peephole.

    Panicking, Toad shouted, ¡°Wilson! Come on ¡ª Wilson! Just let me talk to Jack.¡± Wilson had never turned him away before. Never. Wilson was always the one to patch him up when Bone¡¯s flying punches hit their mark. Wilson didn¡¯t tease. Wilson listened. ¡°I can make all this right again! Just let me in!¡±

    ¡°No, Toad.¡±

    Toad mouthed silently, speechless.

    ¡°Okay, then,¡± he said, trying to stay calm. ¡°Okay. Bring Jack out here, then. I¡¯ll convince him out here. I¡¯ll ¡ª stop shaking your head!¡±

    Wilson did, but the chains didn¡¯t slither from their notches; the doorknob did not turn.

    ¡°Don¡¯t come back, Toad.¡± And Wilson slid the wood over the peephole.

    <hr>

    Toad walked for a long time, his shoulders hunched, his jaw clamped, his hands stuffed into his pockets, clenched so tight the nails bit into skin. He felt like he was about to fly apart. To think that just that morning he¡¯d been playing darts ¡ª and winning.

    Where would he sleep?

    The tears, the tremors, that Toad had been keeping at bay for so long burst their barriers without warning. He dived into a side alley, making passerby stare. It wasn¡¯t until the sky overhead was stained scarlet that he regained his composure.

    He couldn¡¯t ¡ª he wouldn¡¯t ¡ª let it end this way. If Jack didn¡¯t think he was a proper enough thief then the solution was clear: prove otherwise. Steal something that would turn the Ramblers¡¯ heads. Something impressive. Something ¡­

    Toad stared at the opposite grime-smeared brick wall without seeing it, not even noticing a scrawny cat sniffing curiously at his shoe, as an insane idea flitted between his ears.

    What was more impressive than stealing from the most powerful man in Hickory? Toad didn¡¯t know what he¡¯d steal, but he was sure he¡¯d find something once he got into the house. Energized by this daring thought, and blinded by his fury, he stood. The cat hissed and darted away, but Toad didn¡¯t even notice. He was already down a side street and hurrying toward a high-gated neighborhood.

    Everybody in Hickory knew that Mr. Owl had the most gold for miles.

    Everybody in Hickory knew that crossing Mr. Owl brought more than just trouble.

    But Toad wasn¡¯t everybody.

    <hr>

    It wasn¡¯t hard to climb the wrought iron fence that surrounded Mr. Owl¡¯s lush property. Toad scampered up and over it in no time, quickly seeking cover under a cluster of flowering bushes. The house was enormous, the biggest in the city: three stories of heavy brick. The grounds were manicured and crisp, sporting gushing fountains and thick hedges. The property was so large that the bustling of buggies and shouting of shop owners was muffled to a murmur.

    Toad crouched low under the bushes, wondering what it would be like to have such gold. He¡¯d never have to worry about where he¡¯d sleep, that was for sure. Not a single Rambler had ever stolen from Mr. Owl. Jack was firm about that. ¡°Cross Owl and start digging your own grave,¡± he often said. Toad brushed away Jack¡¯s warning and shifted his knee from a sharp root. There was no reason for Owl or his mates to know who the sneak-thief was. Toad would be in and out in seconds, disappearing down the dark streets like a shadow. Suddenly his mind was filled with glorious images of returning to the Rambler hideout, throwing a sackful of priceless gems at Jack¡¯s feet, Bone¡¯s shocked, dumbfounded face, Wilson¡¯s beaming, toothy smile. Toad started to laugh and quickly covered his mouth.

    He had to be careful. Everything depended on this one.

    The sky was draining quickly of fiery scarlet and the expansive grounds grew dark. Toad waited tensely in the bushes, watching the windows and doors, but if anyone entered or left the house, he couldn¡¯t tell from his vantage point. He did notice, curiously, that he wasn¡¯t the only person watching Owl¡¯s house. A man dressed in slick trousers and a low bowler hat leaned against a lamppost across the street and he hadn¡¯t moved once from his spot. Toad could just see him through the hedges and ironwork of the fence. He stood casually, today¡¯s copy of the paper in one hand, periodically nodding to passing pedestrians, but Toad was not fooled. He was a Hickory Guard. Being a Rambler since birth did that to you: Toad could spot a Guard (in uniform or not) faster than a lizard snatching up a fly.

    When night fell in earnest, when only a handful of windows remained illuminated in the grand house, Toad silently slipped to the nearest tree. He climbed it just as easily as the fence and was soon inching along a long, thick branch toward one of the numerous balconies. With the softest of thumps, he jumped down and tried the glass door. Locked. Toad quickly fished out his own crude set of lock-picks and set to work, nerves making him clumsy. Finally, with a soft click, the door swung open. Toad hesitated for half a breath before darting inside.

    The room was as dark as the grounds below, but Toad¡¯s eyes had grown used to the gloom. He slipped about the room, skirting leather arm chairs, hunched over, wary as a cat. His eyes searched for a shimmer, a glimmer, something ¡ª anything ¡ª he could take back. He scanned the walls where heavy portraits hung, but passed them by. He needed something small to carry back through the window, and also something incredibly rare ¡­ something that would change Jack¡¯s mind completely.

    Toad spied a large, ornate desk. He hurried to it, opening drawers, pushing a small box out of the way as he groped inside, but all he found were stacks of stiff parchment and inky pens. Where did Owl keep his treasures? Toad paused in his search of the desk and thought, steadying his breathing. He didn¡¯t want to explore the entire house ¡ª he was more likely to get caught that way ¡ª but there didn¡¯t seem to be anything good enough in here.

    Swallowing thickly, Toad crossed the room and inched open the door. The hallway was brightly lit with gas lamps. He peered left and right before slipping from the room and tip toeing down the hall, grateful that his steps were muffled by a thick, plush carpet.

    He was as taunt as a bowstring, eyes wide, ears pricked for sound, disliking the exposure of the bright lamps. Toad feared every corner, expecting someone to march around it, but the house seemed to be blessedly (and unnervingly) vacant. He pressed an ear to each door he passed to make sure it was empty before giving it a quick look through, but still nothing. Toad¡¯s barely contained tension was nearing the breaking point and he prayed please, let there be something in here as he entered what appeared to be a library. At once Toad froze, heart hammering, for voices were coming from a door at the other end of the room. The door was cracked open, a thin, yellow beam of light slicing into the darkness, and it sounded as if a great number of people were inside the adjacent chamber.

    Sweat slick on his brow, Toad carefully edged away. Whether they were servants or mobsters, Toad would find his goods in another part of the house, preferably in the opposite direction.

    Then he saw it. In the moonlight streaming through a stained glass window, a miniature statue shimmered on a pedestal: a dragon, carved from an enormous emerald. Toad nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to reach it; he stretched out his hands; his mouth went dry ¡ª

    An arm slipped around his front, pushing him back roughly against a hard chest. The edge of a cold knife was pressed against his throat.

    ¡°Hello, idiot,¡± breathed a voice in his ear.

 Chapter 2: Edward P. Owl

    Toad¡¯s captor manhandled him to the door at the end of the library, knife edge biting into his throat. In seconds, the door had been kicked open and Toad found himself in a circular room with a small table in the center. The talk ceased immediately as four heads swiveled in Toad¡¯s direction. One dark figure took up nearly half the room with his girth; he made Bone seem wimpish in comparison. Another was tall and stringy with the pallor of a weed devoid of sunlight. The third sat hunched in a low, leather armchair, his round face flushed pink. It was the fourth, however, that stole all of Toad¡¯s attention: slim, composed, with short, black hair smoothed into elegant waves, Mr. Edward P. Owl sat with a slightly raised eyebrow, eyes as slate gray as the Banks River.

    Toad pinched his eyes shut ¡ª this can¡¯t be happening; this cannot be happening.

    ¡°Cutter, what is this?¡± asked Owl.

    ¡°Caught this whelp in the library,¡± said the man, giving Toad a rough shake. Toad inhaled sharply as the knife¡¯s blade cut skin. ¡°Thought he¡¯d help himself to the Emerald Dragon, sir.¡±

    Owl stared at Toad and Toad suddenly didn¡¯t care if his throat got sliced if he tried to jerk free: he wanted to run and never stop.

    ¡°Shall I deal with him, sir?¡± Cutter asked, eager and breathy against Toad¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°In a moment,¡± said Owl and his voice was as glacial as his eyes. ¡°Mr. Barrow was here first.¡± He redirected his gaze to the hunch-backed man with the round, pink face, the only other one sitting. ¡°This is quite the unfortunate turn, Mr. Barrow. You tell me your expert got himself bludgeoned to death by an ogre?¡±

    Pink-faced Barrow was sweating profusely. With a trembling hand, he wiped his top lip clear, his bald plate agleam in the gaslight. ¡°Y-yes, sir. It¡¯s wild, the west country. But rest assured, sir. I can find you another.¡±

    ¡°Another expert? This time, perhaps, you can find one who does not run afoul of ogres? Or maybe one who doesn¡¯t get so drunk that all his goods, including the clothes on his back, are robbed by bandits, like the one before that? In short, do you have any experts for me, Mr. Barrow, who are not fumbling morons?¡±

    Owl¡¯s voice never rose in volume. It remained as composed as ever, but the room seemed to grow more frigid.

    Barrow¡¯s trembling increased visibly. ¡°I made a mistake in recruiting Morris. I see that now. B-b-but if you give me a week¡ª¡±

    ¡°I think not, Mr. Barrow,¡± said Owl, slicing off Barrow¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ve grown tired of your ineptitude. Fletch.¡±

    The pale, wiry man moved close to Barrow¡¯s chair. Barrow gave him a nervous twitch of a glance.

    ¡°There is a Hickory Guard stationed outside,¡± Owl said to Barrow. ¡°I wonder if you will go to him for sanctuary, even with the obvious threat of a jail sentence for a smuggler such as yourself.¡±

    At these words, Barrow¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°Mr. Owl ¡ª I¡¯d never ¡ª never ¡ª You can trust me, sir! Please, sir ¡ª I can get you another expert ¡ª a better one!¡±

    Owl ignored him. He pulled out a pocket watch. ¡°I will give you a minute head start before I send Fletch after you.¡± He eyed Barrow expectantly across the table. ¡°Get going.¡±

    Barrow shot another terrified glance up at Fletch, who leered down at him, flexing his abnormally long fingers, before leaping to his feet and darting from the room without another word. Toad could hear his shoes squeaking and slipping on the polished wood floor in his haste.

    ¡°Fletch,¡± said Owl, a tinge of warning in his cool voice, ¡°you know what I expect. No body.¡±

    Fletch nodded, grinning in a fashion that made Toad¡¯s skin crawl, before slipping from the room after Barrow. Owl pushed his chair back and rose. He strode past Toad and Cutter without a glance, entering the dark library. Toad, already trembling with panic, wondered if this was Owl¡¯s silent code to ¡®handle him¡¯, for the arm clamped across Toad¡¯s chest tightened and the knife¡¯s edge cut so deep he felt a trickle of blood slide down his throat. But a moment later Owl returned, now holding the emerald statue that Toad had spied. He did not return to his seat but settled against the table¡¯s edge. At once, Toad was thrust into the vacant armchair, still warm from Barrow.

    Toad forced himself to look up, and Owl did something that made his insides vanish: he smiled.

    Owl was a highly polished man. His shoes gleamed, his trousers were pressed, even his fingernails seemed to have been buffed. Toad had never gotten a good, proper look at the man before ¡ª only spying him once or twice across the street, getting in and out of his shiny, black carriage. He¡¯d always envisioned him to be far older and Toad was surprised, therefore, by how young Owl appeared ¡­ hardly older than Jack.

    Cross Owl and start digging your own grave.

    Toad gripped the chair¡¯s armrests to keep his hands from shaking. Horror stories from the Ramblers crowded Toad¡¯s mind, making it hard to think. Owl might have looked like just another stiff-coated snuff-sneezer, but as Toad sat glued to the chair, he knew that every tale the Ramblers had told him was true. Owl ¡ª though his impeccable fingernails said differently ¡ª didn¡¯t mind getting his hands dirty.

    ¡°You have good taste, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± said Owl, cradling the statue in his hands. The frigid bite when he¡¯d been speaking to Barrow was gone. His voice was light. Almost friendly. ¡°This is one of the largest emeralds in existence. It was found centuries ago in the Great Gordwall Treasure, later to be carved by the legendary sculptor, Byron Letterfront. Did you know that?¡±

    Toad shook his head.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t think you did. I appreciate thieves who do their research, but at least you recognize worth when you see it.¡± Owl smiled, almost indulgently. ¡°I approve of your eye, though not your prowess. You were lucky that Cutter caught you. If Mr. Ogg had you wouldn¡¯t be fit for this little chat.¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    Toad swallowed. He shot a wary glance at the giant looming in the corner. His neck was the size of Toad¡¯s waist.

    ¡°So, before my associates take care of you¡± ¡ª Toad¡¯s eyes snapped back to Owl ¡ª ¡°tell me why you thought you could steal from me, Mr. ¡­?¡±

    ¡°Toad,¡± Toad forced out. His mouth was very dry.

    Owl¡¯s lips twitched, as if a laugh teetered there. ¡°An Owl and a Toad. How fitting. Don¡¯t you agree, Mr. Ogg?¡±

    Ogg glared at Toad.

    ¡°Mr. Ogg is a man of few words but decisive action,¡± Owl relayed pleasantly. ¡°But we are getting off track. Do explain yourself, Mr. Toad.¡±

    ¡°I¡ª¡± Toad¡¯s eyes cut again to Ogg, who deliberately cracked his sausage-sized fingers, to Cutter who was slowly running a broad thumb across the blade of his knife. ¡°I wasn¡¯t stealing anything.¡±

    A hand whacked the back of Toad¡¯s head, making him see stars. ¡°Don¡¯t lie, you rotten little worm!¡± Cutter barked. ¡°I saw you!¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Toad insisted, blinking his eyes furiously. ¡°You thought I was gonna steal it. I was just waiting for the right time to get to Owl!¡±

    ¡°Well, you have me,¡± said Owl, his voice losing a touch of the lightness it held before.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to ¡ª to offer my services,¡± said Toad, feeling sweat slide down his back.

    There was a breath of silence before Cutter let out a vicious laugh. Ogg¡¯s eyebrows contracted into one severe, bushy line, and Owl merely stared.

    ¡°Services?¡± Cutter jeered. ¡°Do you even know who you¡¯re talking to, boy?¡±

    Perhaps it was Owl¡¯s unimpressed expression or Cutter¡¯s goading, but Toad found himself growing angry instead of frightened.

    ¡°I may be young, but I ain¡¯t no newby! I used to be a Rambler!¡±

    Owl¡¯s eyebrows rose in surprise.

    ¡°You were a Rambler?¡± said Owl, his voice delicately incredulous.

    Toad¡¯s heart raced beneath his ribs.

    ¡°I left ¡¯em,¡± he said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. ¡°They were too stale for me. They don¡¯t do high risk transactions.¡±

    ¡°And you do?¡± Owl asked softly.

    ¡°You name it. I¡¯ll get it. That¡± ¡ª Toad swallowed with difficulty ¡ª ¡°bloke who was just in here¡ª¡±

    ¡°Mr. Barrow.¡±

    ¡°He let you down, but I¡¯d never let you down, Mr. Owl. Give me a chance. I¡¯ll prove it to you.¡±

    ¡°You think you can procure the items Mr. Barrow¡¯s man Morris failed to obtain?¡±

    ¡°¡¯Course I can.¡±

    ¡°Even without knowing what the items are?¡±

    ¡°Sir,¡± Cutter interrupted, ¡°sir, let me deal with him. I¡¯ll make sure the Guards don¡¯t see.¡±

    ¡°I told you,¡± Toad repeated with force, ¡°I may be young, but I ain¡¯t no newby. I know how the game¡¯s played. Didn¡¯t you lot hear about the Diamond Heist two years back?¡±

    ¡°You weren¡¯t in that!¡± Cutter snarled.

    Ogg moved closer, making the floorboards creak under his weight. He leaned close to Owl and whispered something in his ear. Owl frowned.

    ¡°Yeah I was!¡± said Toad fiercely. ¡°They couldn¡¯t have done it without me! I squeezed through the bars on the windows!¡± Which, of course, was not true. Lynch had done that. Toad had been playing cards with Wilson back at Rambler headquarters, waiting for them to return.

    ¡°Sir! Please let me kill him!¡± Cutter cried in exasperation.

    ¡°And stop this entertaining exchange?¡± said Owl. Ogg straightened and Toad shifted uncomfortably under the giant¡¯s hard stare. ¡°Mr. Ogg doesn¡¯t believe a word you¡¯ve said, Mr. Toad ¡­ and neither do I. I think you slipped into my house with your grease-slicked fingers and thought you¡¯d help yourself to the pie like the rat you are.¡±

    Toad frantically shook his head, his eyes bulging as much as pink-faced Barrow. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything like that ¡ª I wasn¡¯t ¡ª¡±

    Owl leaned forward suddenly, making Toad¡¯s voice catch in his throat. ¡°Mr. Ogg has his own suggestions for what to do with you,¡± Owl whispered. ¡°Cutter has a handful himself. I, however, am inclined to give you what you want.¡±

    ¡°W-what?¡±

    Something dark and dangerous was flickering in Owl¡¯s gray eyes.

    ¡°You want to work for me?¡± he asked. ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you a job.¡± Owl put his hand in his pocket and Toad tensed, but all that Owl extracted was a short bit of paper and pen. He scribbled something down and flicked it at Toad.

    ¡°Do what Morris couldn¡¯t. Bring me the items on that list.¡±

    Toad looked down quickly at the glistening, still wet, ink. An uncomfortable heat crept up his neck.

    ¡°Can you read, Mr. Toad?¡±

    ¡°Well ¡­ I ¡­¡±

    Owl¡¯s soft laugh was just as cold as his voice.

    ¡°Listen carefully then: One flask from the Springs of Mirg, a single strand of unicorn hair, one clump Elfin Gold, one fresh moonflower, and one roc talon.¡±

    ¡°Why d¡¯you need ¡¯em?¡±

    Owl¡¯s lips curved sharply upward; he suddenly looked far more like a shark than Bone ever had.

    ¡°That is my business. Your business is collecting them. It shouldn¡¯t be too difficult with your ¡­ Rambler training,¡± Owl added with the slightest of sneers.

    ¡°And if I get this stuff then¡­.?¡±

    The condescending smirk grew on Owl¡¯s face. He rolled the pen between his fingers. ¡°Then we discuss payment. You do understand what happens to those who don¡¯t fulfill their promises to me?¡±

    At Owl¡¯s words, Barrow¡¯s scrambling escape from the room and Fletch¡¯s predatory slice of a smile sprang fresh into Toad¡¯s mind.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Toad said quickly, shaking from head to foot. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry.¡±

    Toad tried to make it look like he wasn¡¯t speeding from the house even though he desperately wanted to break into a run. He knew they were watching through one of the windows and he didn¡¯t want to give the impression that they¡¯d gotten to him.

    When he was sure the house was out of sight, he sprinted down the dark streets before diving behind a flower pot display, gasping for breath. He gripped his hair and let out a strangled yell. He dug out the list from his pocket. In the dark Toad couldn¡¯t see the words Owl had written, though they would still be as much of a mystery to him if he could. It was difficult to feel elated at crossing Owl and living to tell the tale with the memory of those frigid eyes and the horrors they promised.

    The option to simply throw the list in the gutter and run away had of course crossed his mind. But would Owl send Ogg or Cutter or Fletch or however many more goons he had after Toad if he didn¡¯t follow through? Would Toad spend the rest of his life keeping his doors bolted and a wary eye over his shoulder? And how exactly was he going to be able to convince Jack to take him back with Owl¡¯s shadow looming over him like some deadly disease?

    Unicorn hair? Talons? Flowers? Toad wasn¡¯t an expert, but those sounded like potion ingredients and for the first time all day he suddenly brightened. If all Owl needed were ingredients to a potion then the solution was simple: find an apothecary. Why Morris had been wandering about the west country when a shop down the road would do the trick was a puzzle to Toad. Then again, why didn¡¯t Owl just buy them himself? They must make something illegal, Toad thought. And he¡¯s being careful because the Guard is breathing down his neck.

    But as Toad stared down at the indecipherable list, an unease bloomed in the pit of his stomach that perhaps it wasn¡¯t as easy as strolling into a shop. Grimacing, Toad stomped the feeling down, assuring himself that there was nothing to worry about.

    He stuffed the paper back into his pocket and looked around. Hickory was a large city, divided into four quadrants, but Toad knew the ins and outs of the city better than an alley cat. It took him only a second to find his bearings (East Hickory) before setting off at a steady pace, taking deep, calming breaths. There was no need to rush. Going at things too fast was what got him into trouble. There was no need to panic. He knew exactly where the nearest apothecary was ¡ª he¡¯d passed it many times on his way to steal doughnuts from his favorite bakery.

    They would have the ingredients. He was sure of it.

 Chapter 3: Melena Catches a Toad

    It was long past midnight and Melena Snead was bent over a heavy, simmering cauldron. She was adding the final ingredients to a love potion for one of her secret customers, secret because Mr. Bell would throw her into the Banks River if he found out she was selling potions to his customers. Mr. Bell and his wife, Mrs. Bell, owned the worst apothecary in East Hickory. They had ¡®adopted¡¯ Melena from St. Brenda¡¯s Orphanage three years ago, putting Melena to work immediately: cooking, cleaning, and carrying Mrs. Bell¡¯s purchases on her daily shopping trips.

    The thirteen year old rubbed her tired eyes and prodded Hazel, her bright green Spit-Fire dragon, to shift off Edgar Bartholomew¡¯s Guide to All Things Potion so that she could check the ingredient list for Miss Tubber¡¯s Siren Song. Melena wished she¡¯d refused to make the potion. It was tedious and fussy and would keep her up all night, but Melena needed the money from these under-the-counter transactions. Money would free her of the Bells. Money would hire the private detective on Waldon Street. Money would find Milo. Melena brushed away her longing for sleep at the thought of the money pouch hidden under her lumpy mattress. She knew the amount by heart, but that didn¡¯t stop her from counting the gorents, silvertons, and druets in the pouch every night before tucking in. Impressive for a year of secret brewing, but not enough.

    The liquid in the cauldron was the palest of pinks. A slightly sinister bitter smell wafted under her nose. Satisfied that the potion was at the correct stage, Melena pulled a large mortar toward her and began to crush rose hips. She added them along with a crumbling of fairy wings to the brew. One, two, three stirs and the pink softened to a mother-of-pearl. She picked up a drawstring bag of pricklebirch seeds ¡ª

    CRASH!

    Melena jumped, dropping the bag onto the floor, the seeds scattering to all corners of the room. The crash had sounded from somewhere inside the shop. She stood paralyzed, staring at the closed door of the workroom. Hazel clambered up onto Melena¡¯s shoulder and peered at the door as well.

    Melena held her breath, waiting for a noise from upstairs, but the Bells slumbered on. And then she heard another sound within the shop, a sound of rustling, like someone was moving among the shelves.

    A burglar.

    Melena inched to the door and gently eased it open as Hazel gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze with her claws. The inside of the shop was dark, but moonlight poured through the front window, casting a blue pool of light upon the shelves.

    Her breath caught in her throat. Someone was moving among the shelves. Melena could see his dark form, she could hear the tinkling of glass as he moved bottles aside.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±

    The thief froze.

    ¡°If you leave this instant, I won¡¯t alert anyone,¡± Melena said in a whisper that she hoped sounded far fiercer than she felt.

    The thief groaned, dropping his arms in frustration.

    ¡°Look, could you just give me a minute?¡± he snapped. ¡°It¡¯s been a long day.¡± He resumed searching the shelf.

    Melena blinked in surprise. The voice didn¡¯t sound like it belonged to a grown man, and now that she came to think of it, stepping nearer, the thief was short ¡ª maybe just a hair taller than herself.

    ¡°Well, you really shouldn¡¯t be stealing,¡± she pointed out, stung.

    The boy snorted in derision. Another bottle fell off the shelf.

    ¡°What are you looking for?¡± Melena asked quickly, shooting a nervous glance at the dark stairwell. If the Bells discovered her midnight brewing habit they would flay her alive ¡­ or worse, set her to making all their potions for them. She would never receive another druet. ¡°Maybe I could help you find it before the Bells wake up.¡±

    ¡°The who¡¯s?¡±

    ¡°The Bells,¡± Melena hissed. ¡°They own this shop and they¡¯re terrible. They¡¯ll make a lot of trouble if they find you here.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± The boy let out a scathing snort. ¡°I can beat their trouble with the trouble I¡¯ve got any day.¡±

    The boy shifted into the pool of moonlight and Melena suddenly recognized him.

    ¡°You ran into me on the street,¡± she said, startled, remembering the bruise on her shoulder from where he¡¯d knocked into her, running past, a pastry clamped in his mouth.

    ¡°You were in my way,¡± said the boy, peering closely at a bottle.

    ¡°I was not in your way!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you were.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± she huffed, crossing her arms, feeling oddly wrong footed, ¡°I don¡¯t approve of thieving, so you can leave now.¡±

    ¡°But what if I make a racket and wake up them whosits that you¡¯re so scared of? What¡¯ll you do then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of the Bells,¡± said Melena stiffly.

    ¡°Oh? You ain¡¯t?¡± said the boy. ¡°¡¯Cuz you sounded scared to me.¡± He suddenly raised the bottle he¡¯d been inspecting high over his head, ready to throw it down.

    ¡°Wait! What is it that you needed?¡± Melena whispered, shooting another quick look at the stairs.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    She could tell that the boy had the most disgustingly satisfied smirk on his face, even in the dark.

    ¡°Mirg water.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Mirg water. Here¡± ¡ª he dug into his pocket ¡ª ¡°see, all here.¡±

    He flourished a short bit of paper and, against her better judgment, Melena took it. Not even bothering to see if he followed, she returned to the brightly lit workroom, pricklebirch seeds popping under her feet, and read the list of items, Hazel swaying on her shoulder like a featherless parrot.

    Melena frowned and read them again.

    The boy let out another snort, making her look around. He had followed her and in the gas lamps he looked even more suspect than she¡¯d first thought. His clothing was patched and ripped in several places and the hem of his overlarge coat was fraying and looked partially burned. A smudge of dirt was on his cheek and nose. His eyes were on Hazel as he said nastily, ¡°You¡¯ve got one too. Great.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Melena flared, bristling instantly.

    ¡°Nuthin¡¯.¡± The boy shrugged, turning away from her. She caught the red smear on his neck ¡­ the deep stains on his collar.

    ¡°You¡¯re hurt,¡± she said, without thinking.

    The boy stiffened, before gruffly wiping the blood away with the cuff of his coat. ¡°It¡¯s nuthin¡¯. What about my list?¡±

    Melena scowled and pursed her lips. ¡°Why do you need these?¡±

    ¡°What does it matter?¡± the boy shot back. ¡°I just need ¡¯em. You got ¡¯em?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Melena said, holding the list out for him. ¡°And they aren¡¯t in any other apothecary for that matter.¡±

    The boy looked flabbergasted. It took a moment before he found his voice.

    ¡°What d¡¯you mean?¡± he demanded. ¡°Ain¡¯t those potion ingredients?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Ain¡¯t this the place where you sell potion ingredients?¡±

    ¡°Yes. It is.¡±

    ¡°Then why ain¡¯t they here!¡± the boy exploded.

    ¡°Shhh!¡± Melena¡¯s eyes shot upward, but there was still no movement from upstairs. Smoke began to unfurl from Hazel¡¯s nostrils and she flexed her translucent wings, bright eyes fixed upon the boy.

    ¡°If you¡¯re playin¡¯ me ¡ª¡± the boy threatened.

    ¡°You¡¯ll what?¡± Melena snapped crossly. ¡°Call the Guards? What do you need these for?¡±

    The boy shot her a filthy glare.

    ¡°Well if you¡¯re not going to tell me than I see no point in continuing this conversation,¡± Melena said loftily. She thrust the paper back into his hand and opened the workroom door. ¡°After you.¡±

    The boy didn¡¯t move.

    ¡°Look, I gotta get these ingredients. You gotta know somebody whose got ¡¯em.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t,¡± said Melena. ¡°Those are five of the Forgotten.¡±

    ¡°The what?¡± said the boy, exasperated.

    Melena tried very hard not to roll her eyes. ¡°The Forgotten. Ingredients that are no longer used for potion brewing because they are either extinct or too difficult or dangerous to acquire. Apothecaries don¡¯t carry them. They haven¡¯t in ages.¡±

    ¡°So how do I get them?¡± asked the boy, all harshness gone from his voice, replaced with a desperation that made Melena feel both pity and curiosity.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to track them down in their natural habitats. Though, as I said, that will be extremely difficult ¡ª probably impossible.¡±

    ¡°Like in habitats that have ogres?¡± asked the boy, suddenly grim.

    Melena stared.

    The boy was silent for a long time, a scowl fixed on his face.

    ¡°Okay,¡± he finally said, as if he was trying to convince himself that everything was going to be fine. ¡°Okay. That ain¡¯t too bad. I can do that. So, where¡¯s Mirg water?¡±

    Melena expelled a loud breath. She pinched the bridge of her nose.

    ¡°I suggest you find yourself a guide,¡± she said, tiredly.

    ¡°A guide? Where am I gonna find a guide?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t kno ¡ª oh no!¡± For the cauldron on the table had begun to spit and froth, lacy pink bubbles gurgling over the rim. Melena had completely forgotten about the Siren Song. She pushed the boy aside and quickly lifted the cauldron off the burner, giving it a furious stir. Large, lumpy clumps of congealed potion were forming regardless of her vicious attempts to smooth them. Perhaps if she added pine extract ¡­

    ¡°Where am I gonna find a guide?¡± the boy repeated, ignoring the fact that she obviously had more pressing things to worry about.

    ¡°How would I know?¡± Melena snarled back.

    The boy grabbed her arm and Hazel snapped her fangs. He withdrew his fingers quickly.

    ¡°You know about the stuff on my list, don¡¯t you?¡± the boy demanded.

    Melena couldn¡¯t bring herself to lie.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she said, grudgingly.

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you be my guide?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Because I¡¯m not going to troop around Calendula, risking my life, for half a dozen potion ingredients, that¡¯s why.¡±

    ¡°What d¡¯you mean, risking your life?¡± said the boy. He actually laughed. ¡°This won¡¯t be any trouble, as long as we steer clear of ogres.¡±

    ¡°Won¡¯t be any ¡ª¡± Melena¡¯s voice died in her throat at the ridiculousness of his statement. Abandoning the ruined potion, she snatched the list back from his hand and thrust it under his nose.

    ¡°Springs of Mirg. Located in the very northern tip of Calendula, practically crawling with Slinkwing dragons. Elfin Gold ¡ª only found in the Caves of Dunthur, caves so complex that only an expert can safely travel them. Unicorns are impossible to find and try yanking some hair from their tails and see what they do with that horn. Not to mention how foolish and dangerous it is to mix ingredients at random. Need I continue?¡±

    The boy¡¯s dark eyes were as round as gorents.

    ¡°So it¡¯ll be difficult ¡ª what else is new? And anyway, I¡¯m not gonna make anything with ¡¯em.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a joke!¡± Melena actually stomped her foot. ¡°We¡¯d need supplies. Maps. Money. Food. Those ingredients won¡¯t be found in a day. Why should I help you? Why am I even talking to you?¡± She lifted the ruined potion and marched past him to the water basin in the corner. It was going to take weeks to make another batch.

    ¡°Look ¡ª the gent ¡ª the gent who wants ¡¯em is gonna pay me,¡± said the boy in a rush. ¡°He¡¯s gonna pay me fifty thousand gorents!¡±

    Melena froze.

    ¡°If you help me,¡± the boy continued, ¡°we can share it. I¡¯m an honest bloke. You can tru¡ª¡±

    ¡°Half,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Melena faced him.

    ¡°I want half. Twenty-five thousand. Not a gorent less.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯ll ¡ª you¡¯ll help me?¡± The boy¡¯s eyebrows vanished into his fringe. ¡°You¡¯ll come with me and take me to all these ingredients?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Deal!¡± the boy cheered, his face splitting into a huge grin. ¡°Let¡¯s get goin¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I need to get some things first. Stay here.¡±

    Not waiting for the boy¡¯s response, Melena left the cauldron in the basin, feeling slightly guilty about Miss Tubber. She snatched up her potion book and hurried from the workroom. She sped up the stairs, careful to skip over the two that squeaked, and slipped into her tiny bedroom, sparing a nervous glance at the Bell¡¯s darkened door. She seized an old knapsack she¡¯d dug from a bin years ago and stuffed a fistful of old socks, a moth-chewed sweater, the small leather money bag from under the mattress, and the potion book inside, before swinging it over her free shoulder, Hazel still perched on the other.

    She quickly cast her eyes around the tiny bedroom, but there was nothing else in it for her to take. A few colorful pictures she¡¯d clipped from magazines and discarded books were tacked to the walls in a miserable effort to brighten the drab room. Melena groped inside her shirt for the locket she always wore and felt the fine etching of the names inscribed on its shell.

    To her surprise and relief, the thief was still there, picking over a barrel of porcupine quills. At the sight of him, Melena realized that she had been expecting him to vanish just as suddenly as he had arrived. It was far too much to think that she was actually leaving the Bells. That she was actually going to get not just enough money to hire Mr. York, but enough to start a brand new life.

    ¡°About time,¡± the boy grumbled impatiently, looking up. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

 Chapter 4: Problems in Passadomo

    A night Toad had been sure could not become any more unsettling had taken a jarring left turn. So he couldn¡¯t get the ingredients as easily as he¡¯d expected. He was able to shrug that off. So what if it took time to get them. Toad felt that snatching up this odd girl had been the first thing to go right all day.

    Dawn was steadily creeping over the rooftops of the houses as they walked. Toad glanced at her. She was scrawny and her yellow-blonde hair was long and braided, wispy, brittle ends poking out at odd places. She was as plain as a broom with her second-hand clothes. He had been surprised to discover her to be so drab, what with her owning a Spit-Fire (they were common, but still costly) and being such a fluent reader. Then again, Wilson could read so that didn¡¯t say much.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± asked the girl.

    ¡°Toad.¡±

    She covered up a laugh with a snort.

    ¡°What?¡± Toad demanded, stopping and facing her, early morning risers already moving around them on the street.

    ¡°Well ¡ª it¡¯s just, you don¡¯t look anything like a toad,¡± she said, awkwardly.

    Toad shrugged and continued walking. ¡°My dad¡¯s got a sense of humor.¡±

    ¡°Oh. I¡¯m Melena Snead and this is Hazel.¡±

    Toad nodded gruffly, shooting a somewhat annoyed look at Hazel, and kept walking.

    ¡°So, who¡¯s this man that we¡¯re getting the ingredients for?¡± asked Melena.

    ¡°A gent named Owl ¡ª know him?¡±

    Melena shook her head.

    ¡°Well, he wants ¡¯em bad ¡ª¡±

    ¡°And he¡¯s going to pay us for them?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± Toad nodded.

    Beside him Melena fell silent. Toad kept his face impassive with difficulty. She had not only bit but swallowed his hook. Fifty thousand gorents? He had shouted it out of desperation. He hadn¡¯t expected her to believe him. Not really. He didn¡¯t have a clue where to get Mirg water or moonflowers or whatever else was on that blasted list. He needed somebody to take him and she seemed like a good enough candidate. Toad shot another covert glance at her and couldn¡¯t stop himself from saying, a cheeky smile tugging at his lips, ¡°Twenty-five thousand is enough to be getting on with, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Melena. Her brow knitted and her gaze became suddenly firm. Focused. ¡°More than enough.¡±

    ¡°You sick of them Whosits?¡± asked Toad, tucking his thumbs in his coat pockets.

    Melena looked at him. ¡°Very much so,¡± she said fervently. ¡°But that¡¯s not the reason I want the money. I want to hire a private detective to find my brother.¡±

    Toad felt he¡¯d missed a step and eyed her in confusion. ¡°Your ¡­ brother?¡±

    Overhead, the little green dragon flapped from lamppost to lamppost.

    ¡°Our house burned down ten years ago,¡± said Melena. ¡°It was part of the Miggens Street Fire, ever hear of it? It burned for days, it was all in the paper. Mom and Dad died in it, but I know Milo didn¡¯t. No matter what anyone says. I know it.¡±

    ¡°So where is he?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°That¡¯s just it. I haven¡¯t a clue. He vanished during the fire. I ended up in St. Brenda¡¯s Orphanage and Milo¡¯s been missing ever since. That¡¯s why I agreed to help you. With the money, I¡¯ll be able to hire that private detective on Walden Street. I¡¯ll finally find him.¡±

    ¡°Good luck with that,¡± said Toad awkwardly. Listening to stories about long lost family members made him uncomfortable. It reminded him of his own absent family. He¡¯d never known his mother, who¡¯d died shortly after he was born, nor had he ever met his father, who¡¯d deposited him with Jack Pinch as a babe before returning to the high seas. Lynch and Wilson had always assured Toad that his father would return for him when he was older. Dreaming about such a future with his dad often made Toad¡¯s heart swell, but it was the sort of sensation that also hurt for it was just that, a dream. So Toad kept those fantasies locked away, only viewable in rare, special moments. He wasn¡¯t sure that Melena had the same ability. The fervor in her eyes at the mention of her brother made Toad doubt it. The last thing he needed was for this trip to turn into a manhunt. Baggage slowed down horses, as Jack always said.

    Wanting to change the subject, because he had the feeling that Melena wanted to talk more about her brother, Toad stopped suddenly outside the steps of the Hickory Library. ¡°Where do we go first?¡±

    Melena looked at him in confusion.

    ¡°You¡¯re my guide, ain¡¯t you? Where do we go first?¡±

    ¡°Oh, right!¡± Blushing, Melena took the list back from him and read through the items. ¡°First things, first,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ll need a map. There¡¯s a shop around the corner¡ª¡±

    ¡°You get that,¡± said Toad as his stomach gave a demanding growl. ¡°I¡¯ll get breakfast.¡±

    After a quick slip in and out of Dinglehop¡¯s Doughnuts with bacon and cheddar scones stashed in his pockets, Toad found Melena and the green dragon standing outside a map store.

    ¡°So, where to first?¡± Toad asked again, handing out scones. Hazel sniffed hers suspiciously.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± said Melena, taking a large bite. She dug about in her bag and pulled out a leather pouch. ¡°How much do I owe you?¡± she asked thickly.

    ¡°Owe?¡± Toad laughed. ¡°I pinched it.¡±

    ¡°You stole it? But ¡­ why? There was no need. I have money.¡±

    Toad crossed his arms, grinning in amusement.

    ¡°Better get used to it,¡± he said.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have to get used to anything,¡± was Melena¡¯s furious reply. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have stolen these. I¡¯ll go back and pay for them.¡±

    ¡°No you won¡¯t!¡± Toad was outraged. Stealing food was one of the few things he was good at and he wasn¡¯t going to lose his touch. ¡°I¡¯m a thief. Stealing is what I do. If it gets out that I¡¯m paying for stuff, I¡¯ll lose my creditability.¡±

    Melena stared at him.

    ¡°Do you mean credibility?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Whatever. What ingredient are we getting first?¡±

    Melena glared, clearly noticing his change of topic, but she scowled down at the traveler¡¯s map in her hands, inspecting it closely.

    ¡°I think unicorn hair is first. The best place to find unicorns is in Holly-Harp Wood. Or at least,¡± she added, ¡°that¡¯s where people think they¡¯ve seen them.¡± Melena pointed at a large expanse of green on the map, near the city¡¯s border. ¡°I think we need to go north to reach it.¡±

    ¡°No prob,¡± said Toad. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    <hr>

    Two hours later, Toad had exited Hickory for the first time in his life. The cobbled road was slowly replaced with a wide dirt one full of pot holes and divots. Chirping birds burst from brambly thickets without warning and Hazel scrambled after a small family of rabbits who hopped across their path, disappearing into a thick patch of gorse.

    ¡°Are we gonna walk the entire way?¡± Toad asked.

    ¡°Probably.¡±

    Toad turned around and walked backward, already longing for Hickory. The clamor of the buggies was just a faint murmur now. Even the smoke from factory chimney stacks was diluting; the sky turned more blue with each passing second. Soon the last outline of brick buildings would be obscured by overhanging trees. With a heavy sigh, he turned back around, dust from the dirt road puffing up around his shoes.

    Hazel gave up her search for the rabbits and sped after them, taking flight, flapping her wings and spiraling through the air. On they walked, Melena periodically glancing down at the map and Toad following Hazel¡¯s dives through tree branches, thinking of how much faster they would reach their destinations if only she were big enough to ride.

    ¡°Why ain¡¯t Spit-Fires bigger?¡± he said aloud.

    Melena looked up from her map. ¡°Sorry?¡±

    ¡°Spit-Fires,¡± he said, pointing at Hazel as she did a figure eight. ¡°Why are they so small? Why can¡¯t they breed bigger ones that can pull carriages? Just think how much faster this would all be. Jump in a buggy and off we fly!¡±

    ¡°Well, dragons are very difficult to manage,¡± said Melena. ¡°I saw in the paper a few years ago that a man tried to tame a Southern Hematite to burn his fields. Thought it would be quicker than doing it himself.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°What happened?¡± asked Toad, excited. A vision of a great leathery creature rose into his mind.

    ¡°Oh, it burned his fields all right,¡± said Melena. ¡°And then enjoyed that so much that it went on to burn the farmer¡¯s house and then his neighbors¡¯ before taking off. Spit-Fires are the only breed that¡¯s been tamed successfully. The others are just too wild, even when you raise them up as hatchlings. In fact, they¡¯re even more dangerous if you raise them up from the egg. I read once¡­¡±

    The topic of dragons kept them both entertained for a good long while, but eventually the discussion reached its end and they were left in silence. Toad began to grow hungry again as the hot sun moved overhead, the bacon scones nothing but greasy smears on his trousers.

    ¡°So,¡± asked Melena after a lull in conversation, ¡°how long have you been an orphan?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not an orphan,¡± said Toad, a laugh escaping him at such a question.

    ¡°But ¡ª¡± Melena looked startled. ¡°How can your family be okay with you leaving home without word?¡±

    Toad¡¯s laughter grew. ¡°My dad¡¯s a pirate. He doesn¡¯t have a clue what I get up to.¡±

    ¡°A pirate?¡± said Melena, eyes widening. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± said Toad with pride. ¡°Under the command of Captain Shark-Tooth Kent. Dad¡¯s been everywhere. Seen everything.¡±

    ¡°Then, why are you here?¡±

    Toad understood Melena¡¯s confusion. Hickory was in the middle of Calendula, miles away from any shore.

    ¡°He dropped me off with the Ramblers when I was born. Mates with ¡¯em ¡ª they go way back. Said that he¡¯d come fetch me when I get older. So I¡¯ve been with the Ramblers ever since.¡±

    ¡°Who are the Ramblers?¡± asked Melena.

    Toad jerked in surprise.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know the Ramblers?¡± he said, goggling at her.

    ¡°Should I?¡± she asked, taken aback.

    Toad stared at her in wonder.

    ¡°Of all things not to ¡ª how ¡ª¡± Toad looked at her for so long in blatant disbelief that Melena¡¯s scowl returned.

    ¡°Instead of gawking at me, why don¡¯t you tell me who they are?¡± Melena snapped.

    ¡°They¡¯re thieves,¡± Toad answered, unable to keep from laughing at the idea that someone would not know them. ¡°The best thief gang there is. Everybody knows that. Haven¡¯t you heard of Jack Pinch?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Toad was winded.

    ¡°But he¡¯s the best! The greatest thief that ever stole! He¡¯s the leader of the Ramblers. His poster¡¯s everywhere! You must have heard of him.¡±

    ¡°Poster?¡±

    ¡°You ain¡¯t never noticed the posters?¡± Toad said incredulously. ¡°The Guard puts ¡¯em up all over. They got ones of Jack and Bone and Lynch and ¡ª¡±

    ¡°You?¡±

    ¡°Well ¡ª not yet, they don¡¯t. But they will! Only a matter of time.¡±

    Melena walked beside him in silence before asking seriously, ¡°Is that what you want? To have your own poster?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Toad sighed, his eyes glazing over. ¡°The more your head¡¯s worth, the more important you are and the more other thieves respect you.¡±

    ¡°Is that why you¡¯re finding these ingredients for such a wealthy man?¡± asked Melena with a frown. ¡°But will your status go up if you don¡¯t steal them? Or will your father think you¡¯re ready to sail with him if you go on a big quest?¡±

    For a moment, Toad was too lost in happy visions of thieving glory to hear her. Then his toe caught on a rock and he stumbled.

    ¡°Yeah!¡± he said. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be great, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± He hadn¡¯t thought of it that way. Perhaps he¡¯d be able to barter something from Owl for the ingredients? Hadn¡¯t the man said they¡¯d discuss payment when Toad returned? What would he demand? That emerald dragon? It had to be worth more than every haul the Ramblers had ever brought in. Toad¡¯s heart pumped giddy at the thought. Once he¡¯d done that the Ramblers would practically fall over themselves to win him back, but would he go back? Once his father got word of his daring, Toad would be packing his bags for far greater adventures.

    ¡°And you know this Jack?¡± asked Melena.

    ¡°Know him? I¡¯m his favorite!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re his favorite, then why are you having to do this to impress him?¡±

    Again, Toad found himself pausing, no longer feeling so elated. Luckily a commotion behind them drove the topic away. Two buggies from Hickory, one behind the other, clattered around a bend. They hurriedly stepped out of the way, allowing the buggies to rush past, wheels kicking up dust from the road.

    ¡°Excellent!¡± said Toad. He was already back on the road, looking eagerly toward Hickory. He¡¯d forgotten all about buggies.

    ¡°What¡¯s excellent?¡± asked Melena, coughing from the dust.

    ¡°Buggies,¡± said Toad. ¡°We¡¯re on one of the main roads in and out of the city; there¡¯s gotta be loads more. The next one, we jump on.¡±

    ¡°J-jump on?¡± Melena repeated, sounding as if she hadn¡¯t heard correctly.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Toad. ¡°What? You¡¯ve never hijacked a buggy before?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°It ain¡¯t hard. Just grab onto the rails on the back and stay clear of the wheels.¡±

    ¡°Toad, I¡¯m not jumping onto a buggy.¡±

    Toad wasn¡¯t listening. Another buggy was headed their way.

    ¡°Get ready now,¡± said Toad.

    ¡°Toad ¡ª¡±

    ¡°And JUMP!¡±

    The buggy barreled past them. Toad leapt into the air, grabbing hold of the rear handle bars. At the very last second Melena followed, scrambling frantically to get a firm hold and Toad grabbed her by her hair braid to help pull her up. A flash of green and Toad saw Hazel land on the roof, claws clamped, grinning in the sun like an alligator.

    They were off, zooming down the dirt road at an invigorating speed. Toad let out a laugh and a whoop that the wheels covered up. Wind whipped hair into his eyes and, shaking his fringe away, he nearly barked out with fresh laughter at Melena. Teeth clenched, gripping the rails with white-knuckles, her bag sandwiched between her knees, Melena was a sight that filled Toad with hilarity.

    Stifling his laughter, Toad settled more comfortably on the luggage harness, one leg lazily hanging over the side.

    ¡°No telling how far this cart¡¯s gonna go,¡± he said to her over the ruckus of the wheels, ¡°but it¡¯ll speed us along.¡±

    Melena, pale as chalk, nodded jerkily, her mouth clamped shut.

    <hr>

    It was well past twilight when the buggy began to slow, heading toward a tavern with lights twinkling like fireflies in the night. Toad hopped off and only stumbled a bit, but Melena nearly broke her neck.

    Biting back another snicker, Toad helped her up. ¡°You¡¯ll get the hang of it.¡±

    Scowling, Melena brushed herself off as Hazel swooped like an overgrown bat around them.

    ¡°Where d¡¯you reckon we are?¡± asked Toad.

    Melena pulled out her map and stepped into the light spilling from the tavern¡¯s windows. She squinted, the paper an inch from her nose.

    ¡°We must be in Passadomo. It¡¯s the nearest town.¡±

    The smell of roast meat was making Toad¡¯s stomach grumble.

    ¡°I wonder how far Holly-Harp Wood is from here?¡± Melena muttered, still frowning at her map.

    ¡°You can ask somebody while we eat. Come on!¡±

    The tavern was a popular one. They stepped inside to the cheerful sight of gleaming cherry tables and glowing lamps. Nearly every chair was occupied, but they spied a vacant corner booth and slipped onto the benches.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be too far,¡± said Melena, speaking more to herself than to Toad. She suddenly yawned widely. ¡°Sweet Charlotte, I¡¯m exhausted. I wonder how much rooms cost? What are you doing?¡±

    There was a table close to them that had not yet been cleared of dishes. Quick as a lizard, Toad snatched up two half-eaten plates of roasted pheasant and mash.

    ¡°Wha ¡ª ¡¯ou don¡¯ ¡¯ike¡± ¡ª he swallowed with difficulty ¡ª ¡°pheasant? That table over there¡¯s got duck.¡±

    ¡°We are not eating off of other people¡¯s plates,¡± hissed Melena, repulsed.

    Toad shrugged and took another huge bite of pheasant.

    ¡°Su-er-self,¡± he sprayed.

    Melena looked like she was teetering on the edge of a vicious reply when a shadow fell upon their table.

    ¡°Look at what we¡¯ve got here. Mr. and Mrs. Toad!¡±

    Toad looked up. A man stood at their table. His arms were bare. One of them had a sickly yellow and green tattoo of a lizard, its lolling tongue and bulging eyes on his shoulder and the tip of its tail wrapped around his wrist. Behind him a large, round table of five men guffawed loudly. All were equally tattooed and Toad spied daggers at their hips. The stench of whiskey and sweat was heavy in the air.

    Melena blushed and gripped her knapsack closer. Hazel¡¯s sharp face peered up over the edge of the table. Her wings twitched in irritation.

    ¡°Jed,¡± Toad replied coolly. ¡°Long time no see.¡±

    The man with the lizard tattoo let out a bark of a laugh.

    ¡°Wish I¡¯d seen it. I woulda payed! Maybe we could reenact it, eh? Whatcha say? I¡¯ll play Jack and kick yer sorry rump right out o¡¯ here!¡±

    Toad flushed crimson. The table of brutes exploded with laughter.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± said Toad stiffly.

    ¡°Hear that, mates?¡± Jed said to the table behind him. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m talkin¡¯ about! I heard it straight from Bone, boy. He said Jack couldn¡¯t be happier with you finally out of his hair. He said Jack had a bit of a party, celebratin¡¯ the Ramblers bein¡¯ clear of unwanted pests.¡±

    ¡°Jack didn¡¯t say that,¡± said Toad. He spoke so low that he was surprised Jed heard him over the cackling.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t, did he?¡± Jed leered. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Jack lighter on his feet now that he doesn¡¯t have a child to look after. You were never a Rambler, boy.¡±

    Toad¡¯s mouth twisted into an ugly grimace.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even understand why he let you stick around as long as you did. When I heard you¡¯d gotten chunked out ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t get chunked out! Jack wanted me to get outside experience ¡ª¡±

    ¡°He wanted you gone,¡± Jed stated with satisfaction. ¡°You were ruinin¡¯ the Ramblers¡¯ reputation!¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything like that!¡± Toad exploded. The rest of the pub went silent, half-turned in their seats to watch the shouting match. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡±

    ¡°Toad,¡± Melena whispered, ¡°let¡¯s just leave.¡±

    ¡°Look, mates,¡± Jed jeered while the brutes whistled in merriment. ¡°Toad¡¯s hoppin¡¯ mad!¡±

    More howling laughter met this taunt. Jed leaned down so close to Toad that they were nose to nose.

    ¡°You ain¡¯t worth wiping the sludge from my boots, boy,¡± he sneered, foul breath filling Toad¡¯s nostrils. ¡°You ain¡¯t worth nuthin¡¯.¡±

    Toad swore and lunged at Jed, knocking him to the floor.

    ¡°TOAD!¡± Melena screamed.

    As one, the group of thieves leapt to their feet, sending their chairs crashing to the floor.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Gentlemen, please!¡± The landlord had finally realized something was happening and rushed toward them, but Toad and Jed were oblivious to anyone but themselves. They rolled on the floor, kicking and cursing.

    It was mayhem.

    One of the thieves lifted his whiskey bottle and threw it across the room. The other customers scattered, banging into tables and sending chairs flying as they rushed the door.

    From somewhere up above, Toad hear Melena cry, ¡°Oh! Hazel ¡ª help him!¡±

    The next second a great blast of hot air erupted over Toad and Jed, but they didn¡¯t stop. Toad was trying to punch every bit of Jed that he could reach. There was a great howl of fright from Jed¡¯s cronies and a heavy-booted foot nearly missed Toad¡¯s fingers.

    Jed knocked Toad off him and rose to his feet. He swung his foot back, readying to kick.

    Hazel flew at Jed. Her sharp claws latched onto his back, piercing the leather vest. Jed let out a pained roar. His hands scrabbled for Hazel, but she took flight, beating her wings against his face, snapping and snarling. Jed cursed, trying to knock her out of the air, and in reply, Hazel let out a fresh burst of fire, forcing Jed to duck. With a grimace, he turned on his heel and raced out of the pub after his friends. Hazel fluttered back down and landed upon the back of a chair with a smoky snort.

    Melena rushed to Toad, but he slapped her hand away.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said, spitting out blood. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for your help. I was handlin¡¯ him on my own!¡±

    ¡°From where I was standing, it looked like you needed it,¡± Melena replied rather coolly. She stepped back and didn¡¯t offer her hand again as he got to his feet.

    Toad knew that she was stung by his words, but he didn¡¯t care. He was angry and embarrassed. Every inch of him ached. His coat had two new tears in it, he was sure his hair was standing on end ¡ª even more so than usual ¡ª and his lip was bleeding profusely.

    The pub was empty and in complete disarray. They hurriedly shuffled past the wide-eyed landlord, who seemed to be stunned speechless. Toad followed Melena down another dark road without comment, periodically wiping blood from his chin.

    Melena managed to find a crumbling, musty inn by the side of the road and as Toad stood on the threshold, glaring at the proprietor while Melena payed for a room, he thought he heard a soft snicker behind him. He turned, frowning but didn¡¯t see anyone in the dark and figured it was the wind whispering through the grass.

    It appeared that they were the only ones in the shabby establishment for the small dining room was empty. They ate limp, pickled wolf eel on stale bread in moody silence as Toad dripped blood all over a napkin. Their room wasn¡¯t any better than their disgusting dinner: a tiny space with a moth-eaten chair and a moth-eaten bed. Toad gave the place one look before pronouncing, ¡°I¡¯ll take the chair.¡±

 Chapter 5: Hair from a Unicorn

    The next day didn¡¯t start off any better, as far as Melena was concerned. She didn¡¯t feel remotely well rested and from the dark circles under Toad¡¯s eyes, she wasn¡¯t the only one.

    ¡°I¡¯d like you to tell me the truth.¡±

    Toad looked up from his bowl of congealed porridge and shriveled blackberries.

    ¡°Truth about what?¡± he asked.

    ¡°The truth about last night!¡± said Melena. ¡°You said you were Jack¡¯s number one and turns out he kicked you ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t ¡ª¡± Toad began hotly.

    ¡°Toad, don¡¯t bother lying to me. Why would that smelly gorilla say those things if they weren¡¯t true?¡±

    Toad chewed his bottom lip. It looked angry and swollen but was no longer bleeding. Melena wondered if there was any murtlap around. She could use the sap for his lip, though it wouldn¡¯t do anything for the sickly bruise on his cheek.

    She watched him shift uncomfortably, still picking at his porridge.

    ¡°Jack ¡­ Jack tossed me out ¡¯cuz ¡­¡± he took a great shuddering breath as if this was costing him something terrible, ¡°¡¯cuz I ain¡¯t ¡­ I ain¡¯t any good at stealing. There. Satisfied?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± said Melena, bewildered. ¡°You stole our breakfast.¡±

    ¡°Food¡¯s different. I¡¯ve always been able to steal food.¡± He sounded thoroughly miserable about it. ¡°Whenever I try to steal something important, I make a mess of it.¡±

    ¡°Like at the apothecary?¡± Melena asked. He certainly hadn¡¯t made any attempts to be quiet then.

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯ve done worse,¡± Toad admitted. ¡°Loads worse. The final straw was when I got Lynch caught and thrown in jail. That was too much for Jack. Doesn¡¯t matter that Lynch probably got out two days later,¡± he added bitterly.

    ¡°Why do you say that?¡±

    ¡°Because Lynch can pick any lock,¡± said Toad. ¡°He probably took a nice long nap before picking his way out.¡±

    Melena didn¡¯t know what to say to that.

    ¡°So,¡± said Toad, hitching a grin back onto his face with difficulty, ¡°fancy finding that unicorn?¡±

    <hr>

    After forcing down what they could of their uninspired breakfast Melena and Hazel headed out, but Toad, saying he¡¯d forgotten something, dashed back inside the inn. What he could have forgotten, Melena had no idea.

    ¡°Got it!¡± he gasped, rushing past the foul-tempered owner back to Melena.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything,¡± said Melena, looking him over.

    ¡°Which way¡¯s Holly-Harp, eh?¡± asked Toad, so brightly that Melena narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

    ¡°This way, I think,¡± she said slowly. He bounded forward and walked at such a jaunty pace that Melena wanted to laugh. Hazel clambered up Melena¡¯s back and curled around her shoulders, like a green collar to a fancy coat.

    When the inn was out of sight, Toad dug inside his coat and pulled out a large wedge of cheese.

    ¡°That crone was keeping the good stuff! Had this hoarded away in her pantry, along with these goodies.¡±

    In his pockets Toad had stashed away another smaller (and far more pungent) block of cheese, three cured salami, a hefty bag of nuts and dried fruit, one loaf of seedy bread, and a fat jar of jam.

    ¡°Serves us the nasty wolf eel and keeps the fine dining to herself,¡± said Toad, closing his coat.

    ¡°How did you know she had all of that?¡± asked Melena, torn between amazement and frustration, watching him break off a great chunk of cheese.

    ¡°People always have some stuff packed away,¡± Toad shrugged. ¡°Want some?¡± he offered, holding out the wedge.

    Melena¡¯s stomach grumbled. The meager breakfast had barely tided her over and she had hardly eaten anything since she¡¯d left the Bells. It wouldn¡¯t do if she starved. She took the cheese and shared it with Hazel.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think she¡¯ll notice it¡¯s gone?¡± asked Melena, shooting a wary glance over her shoulder, though the inn was far out of sight.

    ¡°Yep,¡± said Toad.

    ¡°You should have taken some of my money to give her for the food,¡± said Melena. ¡°Next time we will.¡±

    Toad rolled his eyes.

    ¡°That ain¡¯t how a thief operates, Melena. If I paid for stuff then that wouldn¡¯t be stealing anymore.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± said Melena happily.

    Toad shook his head in exasperation. ¡°You just don¡¯t get it.¡±

    Instead of replying, Melena chose to stop and ask a passing girl with a flock of geese where Holly-Harp Wood was. The girl looked a bit taken aback, but pointed to the east.

    ¡°This road will take you straight to it,¡± she told them. ¡°But I wouldn¡¯t go in there, if I were you. It¡¯s easy to get lost in Holly-Harp.¡±

    Melena kept her smile polite as she and Toad stepped around the geese.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, but the girl¡¯s frown did not lessen.

    They didn¡¯t come across any more goose girls warning them with disapproving looks, though two more buggies had them shifting from the road, making Toad grumble each time Melena refused point blank to ¡®hijack¡¯ another one.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure the forest is close,¡± she said firmly.

    ¡°We¡¯d already be there if you weren¡¯t such a ¡ª¡±

    Another buggy zinged by, showering them both in dust.

    <hr>

    The road had split and Melena felt a creeping sense of trepidation as she stared at the one that wound into Holly-Harp Wood, darkened with shade and shadow, overgrown and wild. She looked to the left where the main road continued on in the bright sunlight, wildflowers bending in a breeze. But there was no need to worry, she assured herself. As long as they didn¡¯t wander too far from the road, they would be fine.

    Melena thought she had seen large trees in the East Hickory Park, but as she stared wide-eyed at the towering oaks with their thick, serpentine branches crisscrossing overhead, she had to admit that Hickory¡¯s park was laughable. Tongues of fern cascaded from the banks on either side of the road, sunken low from years of passing wagon wheels, perhaps from villagers seeking game and firewood. Holly-Harp Wood felt immense and ancient.

    ¡°So,¡± said Toad, craning his neck as far back as he could to look into the dappled canopy, ¡°how do we track down a unicorn?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± said Melena, ¡°they are very illusive creatures, but according to my potions book unicorns particularly enjoy the company of blue-wing fairies.¡±

    ¡°Fairies?¡±

    Melena nodded. ¡°I think that if we find the fairies and stick with them, a unicorn might come to us.¡±

    ¡°So now we¡¯ve gotta find fairies? Great. Where are they?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re a type of water nymph, so look for a creek or stream. Some source of water.¡±

    They set off, sticking to the sunken road, keeping an eye on the sloping, uneven ground for roots, their ears trained for the sound of a bubbling brook. On they went, deeper into the forest. After a short break for lunch they came upon their first stream. It came just in sight of the road before curving off, disappearing from view into the deep green of the wood.

    They looked at each other. Melena didn¡¯t like the idea of leaving the road, but there was very little choice in the matter.

    ¡°Come on.¡±

    If it had been dark on the road with the thick canopy, it was nothing to the gloom that settled over them now; Melena half suspected it had become night, but Toad, fishing out a scratched pocket watch told her otherwise. They followed the stream until they came upon what Melena thought was a promising spot. If she was a fairy, she would certainly find the bank, spongy with moss and sporting orange toadstools, appealing.

    ¡°Let¡¯s wait here,¡± said Melena.

    They settled a short distance away, partially hidden by ferns. At once, Hazel raced up a tree and disappeared with a jostling of leaves.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°D¡¯you see any fairies?¡± asked Toad, craning his neck to get a better view.

    Melena shook her head. ¡°Not yet.¡±

    Unfortunately, ¡®not yet¡¯ stretched on for an unbelievable amount of time, but they both tried valiantly to ignore the fact that no fairies and no unicorns had appeared at their little stretch of water. They were both entertained by Hazel who scampered overhead, chasing squirrels, but even watching Hazel harass the wildlife grew stale. As afternoon neared evening, and the little light in the forest dimmed, tempers grew strained.

    ¡°We should look for another creek.¡±

    ¡°No. We should stick with the one we¡¯ve found. Fairies have to get thirsty eventually.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve been here all day!¡± Toad raged. ¡°This is ridiculous. We should walk around the forest. Not sit here like dolts waiting for them to come to us.¡±

    ¡°And get lost?¡± Melena shot back. ¡°This might be the only creek there is ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding me? This forest is huge! There must be hundreds of streams ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get too far away from the road! We¡¯ll get lost!¡±

    Toad gripped his hair and expelled a furious oath. ¡°It¡¯s gonna get dark soon,¡± he pointed out. ¡°What are we gonna do then?¡±

    As if Holly-Harp had been waiting for this question, a spine-tingling howl swept over them. At once, Melena and Toad sprang to their feet, desires of staying hidden from passing fairies vanishing on the spot. Hazel scrambled down her tree and wound herself tightly around Melena¡¯s ankles.

    ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°A wolf, I¡¯d wager,¡± said Melena, her heart in her throat. She scanned the forest which seemed to grow darker with each passing second.

    ¡°Wolf?¡± said Toad, voice cracking.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Melena snapped. ¡°We are in a forest.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the inn,¡± said Toad at once.

    ¡°Which one?¡± Melena demanded, rounding on him. ¡°The one you demolished or the one you stole from?¡±

    In the deepening gloom, Melena could barely make out the outline of Toad¡¯s heart-shaped face and the shine of his wide eyes. ¡°So what ¡ª we just stay here? All night?¡±

    ¡°I doubt,¡± said Melena, her own stomach lurching unpleasantly, ¡°that we¡¯d be able to find our way out before dark anyway. As much as I don¡¯t like saying it, I think we¡¯re better off settling down here for the night.¡±

    Toad seemed too stunned to speak.

    ¡°I think,¡± Melena continued in the wake of his silence, ¡°that we should make a fire.¡±

    Another sharp-edged howl raked over them and it was proof of how frightened they both were that they set about finding sticks and leaves with little argument. Melena had built plenty of fires at the Bell¡¯s apothecary, but it was trickier when using leaves and twigs instead of quick burning kindling or coal and by the time crackling flames replaced smothering smoke, darkness had covered them like a blanket.

    <hr>

    It was the worst night of Melena¡¯s life, and she had experienced many sleepless ones with the Bells, both tear-stained and fear-fueled at the Bells¡¯ displeasure for whatever fumble she had recently made. But trying to sleep on a cold forest floor, with roots and rocks poking through her shirt no matter how many times she brushed the ground clear, would have been a feat even without Hazel rustling nervously about, neck stretched, nostril¡¯s wide. And the noises. Sweet Charlotte. Hickory might house terrors in the night ¡ª Melena didn¡¯t know ¡ª but Holly-Harp Wood was a nightmare of cackles, whistles, screams, and yips. Her stomach lurched with each and every one of them, her mind conjuring visions of dripping fangs, sharp claws ...

    ¡°I can¡¯t stand this!¡± Toad roared.

    Melena heard him sit up. She stayed put with her back to the fire, curled up, eyes shut as if that would trick her mind into slumber. ¡°Just try to sleep.¡±

    ¡°Sleep? Sleep? Muck wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep through this and he lives by the tracks!¡±

    Melena rolled over at that. ¡°Muck?¡±

    ¡°Montgomery Hughes. Muck for short.¡±

    ¡°Why Muck?¡±

    ¡°How should I know?¡± said Toad. ¡°I don¡¯t ask ¡ª what was that?¡±

    Melena had heard it too: a sharp snap of a stick breaking underfoot ¡­ the very obvious rustle of leaves.

    ¡°Oh no. Oh no. I don¡¯t wanna get eaten by a wolf!¡± Toad whispered frantically. He groped in the dark and whipped up a branch they¡¯d saved for the fire, holding it like a sword.

    Melena stood, peering into the dark. As safe as the fire had made them both feel, it didn¡¯t cast its light more than three feet. In fact, it made the night of the forest seem even more impenetrable.

    ¡°It was probably nothing,¡± said Melena, trying to convince herself as much as Toad.

    ¡°That was not nothing ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just go to sleep. There¡¯s nothing to worry abou ¡ª AAAHH!¡±

    Something flapped past her head and it wasn¡¯t Hazel. Melena snatched up a stick of her own and swiped it wildly through the air. She found herself back to back with Toad, like knights waiting for the beast to pounce.

    It was a very long time before they sat back down, breathing strained yet steady. It was an even longer time before they fell into a half slumber.

    <hr>

    Melena was sure that it was morning, but the forest was as dim and dark as ever. She wondered if she had gotten an hour of sleep, and Toad looked just as dreadful. Red-eyed and pale, leaves sticking out of their hair, they ate breakfast without saying anything, splashing the stream¡¯s cold water on their faces in hopes that it would invigorate them. She cast another hopeful eye along the mossy bank as Toad impatiently crossed his arms, before agreeing that they should find a new spot.

    They kept the stream to their left, thinking this might aid them in retracing their steps back to the road. They stopped where they stood when they grew hungry and settled out of sight, keeping a vigilant eye for a flash of blue or white. When it became too dark to easily see, they searched the ground for twigs and dried bits of moss, made a fire and slept as well as they could.

    Melena tried not to think about how many times they had repeated these activities. She suspected Toad wasn¡¯t even bothering to try to sleep anymore. To add to the unpleasantness, the food Toad had stolen from the inn ran out alarmingly fast, forcing them to forage for berries, roots and mushrooms. The angry gnawing of Melena¡¯s stomach never quieted for a moment.

    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Toad asked abruptly.

    They were so deep in the wood that they were in perpetual twilight. Melena wished the mossy, fern covered ground wasn¡¯t mist-shrouded. It played tricks with her eyes.

    ¡°No,¡± she said after a moment.

    Toad¡¯s shoulders were tense.

    ¡°I just thought ¡­ never mind.¡±

    But Melena wasn¡¯t going to let it drop.

    ¡°Was it a wolf?¡±

    Toad slowly shook his head, still glaring, perturbed, into the gloom they¡¯d come from.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t sound like a wolf,¡± he muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s keep movin¡¯.¡±

    <hr>

    In what felt like a demented time loop, Melena found herself sitting behind a bush, watching the gurgling creek they¡¯d been following. Again. Her eyes itched. She was light headed. Her muscles were cramped and angry from laying on roots and all she wanted was a soft bed and a full belly.

    Even Hazel was moody. She sat an arm¡¯s distance away, glaring grouchily at Melena, purposefully trying (in Melena¡¯s opinion) to look as uncomfortable as possible, but Melena couldn¡¯t think of anything else to do. She was confident that the only way to find a unicorn would be to find a blue-wing fairy. She just hadn¡¯t counted on the fairies being as reclusive as unicorns. The horrible thought that they may very well be sitting here for weeks ¡ª months ¡ª wasn¡¯t helping. At Toad¡¯s insistence, she re-read every mention of unicorns and blue-wing fairies in Guide to All Things Potion, but Edgar Bartholomew did not offer any solutions. It also didn¡¯t help that Toad had developed an annoying habit of checking his watch, letting her know how soon night would fall again.

    ¡°I think we should move to a different spot.¡±

    Melena closed her eyes, a headache beginning to pulse.

    ¡°Why?¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re not a fan of this one?¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m not. I don¡¯t like anything about this bloody forest and I say we keep moving!¡±

    ¡°And how is that going to help?¡± asked Melena in aggravation.

    ¡°We¡¯re looking for fairies and unicorns!¡± Toad shouted. ¡°They ain¡¯t gonna be at a stupid gully! They¡¯d be at an oasis or a spring or some magical unicorny hot spot!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± said Melena stubbornly.

    ¡°We¡¯ve done it your way,¡± Toad snarled. ¡°Time to do it my way and I say we walk through the night.¡± He stood. ¡°Are you comin¡¯ or not?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think! I want to get out of this godforsaken ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Toad, be quiet!¡±

    ¡°DON¡¯T TELL ME TO ¡ª¡±

    Melena clamped a hand over his mouth. ¡°Shhh! Look!¡±

    She pointed to the creek and Toad¡¯s furious eyes widened in shock.

    Three fairies skittered across the bubbling creek¡¯s surface. They were barely two inches tall and the bright silver of moonlight. Their wings were pale blue and huge compared to their slender bodies. A chime-like sound came from them that had to be, Melena realized, laughter.

    At once, Melena and Toad were back on their knees, peering through the lower branches of the bush.

    ¡°How long d¡¯you think it¡¯ll be?¡± Toad breathed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Melena looked around, but there was no flash of white amongst the green.

    There was a splash and she turned quickly back to the stream. The fairies were laughing harder now. A frog had leapt into the water. Melena was confident that a unicorn would hear the fairies. A creak of branches made her turn her head. Was a unicorn nearing?

    ¡°Melena!¡± Toad¡¯s choked voice sent her heart leaping.

    ¡°Do you see it?¡± she asked, turning back around, but Toad¡¯s face was horror struck as he frantically pointed toward the creek. ¡°What ¡ª¡± Melena¡¯s stomach plummeted as she saw what. Hazel, green belly pressed against the earth, wings flat against her back, was steadily creeping toward the dancing fairies.

    ¡°Hazel! No!¡± Melena ordered in a strangled whisper.

    Hazel ignored her.

    ¡°If she scares them away, I¡¯m gonna kill her!¡± Toad threatened.

    Melena was too terrified of Hazel ruining their opportunity to attract a unicorn to be angry with Toad.

    ¡°Hazel! Get ¡ª back ¡ª here!¡±

    Hazel paused and Melena knew she¡¯d heard her, but a second later, Hazel pounced. Water splashed, Hazel snapped her jaws, the fairies scattered and Melena leapt to her feet, fury on the tip of her tongue, when she heard a soft rustling ¡­ a gentle swish of a tail.

    Half concealed by a broad oak, glowing like a ghost in the darkness, stood a snowy white unicorn. Melena was stunned speechless. The unicorn stood frozen, clearly as startled by Melena¡¯s sudden appearance as Melena was of it. It twitched its pointed ears, nostrils quivering.

    Hazel didn¡¯t even notice the unicorn, still happily leaping in the creek¡¯s shallows after the fairies. One of them zoomed to the unicorn¡¯s head, circling its long, spindly arms around its horn.

    Melena swallowed thickly as the unicorn continued to stare at her, expecting it to bolt, but it stayed, watching Melena. She was sure that one wrong move and the unicorn would vanish. Toad remained crouched behind her, hidden completely by the bush.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± he whispered, echoing Melena¡¯s thoughts.

    A second later, she heard him rustle away.

    ¡°Wha ¡ª Toad ¡ª Toad ¡ª¡± What was he doing? Where had he gone? She dared not look around to see.

    The unicorn took a hesitant half step toward her, sniffing the air with wary curiosity and Melena was struck once more by its spell-binding beauty. Brighter than snow, softer than moonlight, the creature made the rest of the forest dull in comparison. The unicorn swished its cascading tail, brushing leaves from the forest floor. It lifted another shimmering, pearl-colored hoof, its ears and eyes fixed upon Melena ¡ª

    ¡°GOT CHA!¡±

    The unicorn let out a startled snort, jumped forward and spun around, its nostrils flared, its eyes bulging. The fairies fled, disappearing into the trees. With a most satisfied grin, Toad stood where the unicorn had, his fist raised in triumph. In that fist were a few gleaming strands of its tail.

    Enraged, the unicorn lowered its head, its horn pointed straight at Toad¡¯s heart.

    ¡°TOAD! RUN!¡± Melena yelled.

    Toad¡¯s grin faltered as the unicorn pawed the ground. It charged. Toad yelped and dived into a cluster of bushes. The unicorn snorted, slashing at the trembling branches with its crystalline horn, rearing and stabbing.

    With the unicorn distracted, Melena ran to the creek, scooped up Hazel, and quickly retreated. Moments later, Toad was beside her. They fled, dashing through the forest at top speed, half-fearing the pound of hooves followed them. Finally, they collapsed beside a fallen tree, gasping for air. The forest was still.

    ¡°You ¡ª got ¡ª them?¡± Melena gasped, cradling a stitch in her side.

    Toad¡¯s cheeks were flushed. ¡°Yeah,¡± he beamed, holding up his fist.

    ¡°Wonderful!¡± Melena took the hairs. Her hands were shaking. She put them away in a safe inner pocket of her knapsack. Toad was bouncing on the balls of his feet and the grin that he gave her matched her own. One ingredient down.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here,¡± he cheered.

 Chapter 6: The Bewitched Beer Mug of Thieves

    Spirits high, Melena and Toad set off, weaving their way through Holly-Harp Wood. But their happiness quickly faded.

    ¡°D¡¯you know where the road is?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°No,¡± said Melena.

    In their haste to flee the unicorn, they had left the creek ¡ª their only navigational aid ¡ª behind them.

    ¡°Maybe I could climb a tree¡­¡± Toad offered, peering at a colossal chestnut.

    But just as Toad was testing a low branch, an angry shout cut through the forest foliage, making them turn in surprise.

    ¡°Move, you cantankerous lump of mule meat!¡±

    Melena and Toad glanced at each other before hurrying toward the voice. Not even two minutes later they had tumbled through a thick patch of gorse and onto the winding dirt road. At once they saw the source of the shout. A purple wagon, paint faded and chipped in places, was stuck in a thick pool of mud. A doleful mule was slowly biting off tufts of grass, completely ignoring the old woman smoldering with rage before it.

    ¡°I told you to MOVE, you flea-bitten bit of dung!¡± the old lady screamed.

    Toad laughed.

    At the sound, the woman spun around, her shawls and beads whipping through the air.

    ¡°Think this is funny, do you?¡± she shrieked, making Melena and Toad flinch. ¡°Get over here and help me!¡±

    Unsure how to refuse, they walked toward her. Upon close inspection, the old woman had a grouchy, sour face that closely resembled that of a moose. With her large, bulbous nose and pouchy eyes, Melena wondered if the only expression she could physically make was a scowl.

    Hazel flapped onto the wagon¡¯s roof. As Melena¡¯s eyes followed Hazel, she read the yellow painted letters upon the wagon¡¯s side:

    Lady Guave

    Mystical Fortuneteller

    ¡°Help me get my wagon out of this muck!¡± Guave commanded, pointing a bony finger at the back wheels. ¡°I¡¯ve got places to be!¡±

    ¡°What do we get ¡ª¡± Toad began, but Melena interrupted him.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be happy to help.¡±

    Toad stared at Melena in disbelief.

    Together with a not enthused Toad, Melena pushed and heaved against the back of the wagon while Guave tugged upon the mule¡¯s reins. But the mule flattened his ears and planted his hooves more firmly into the ground.

    ¡°You ¡ª dratted ¡ª useless ¡ª waste of ¡ª hide ¡ª¡± Guave panted, yanking with all her might.

    Red-faced and sweating, Melena glanced up to see Hazel¡¯s bright eyes peering down at her in puzzlement.

    ¡°Don¡¯t just sit there staring at me! Do something, Hazel,¡± Melena panted.

    Perhaps Hazel felt a tiny bit of guilt for ignoring Melena¡¯s furious orders before, though Melena doubted it. Thankfully, Hazel¡¯s favorite pastime was startling unsuspecting victims. With a whip of her long tail, she disappeared from sight, scurrying along the wagon¡¯s roof to the stubborn mule. She inhaled deeply and let out a great burst of flame that shot past the mule¡¯s ears.

    The mule screamed. With a great lurch, the wagon was yanked out of the mud and bounded onto the dirt road. Lady Guave barely managed to get out of the way of flaying hooves, tumbling over sideways and sprawling onto the road in a heap, her shawls a tangle.

    ¡°Stop! STOP!¡± Guave shouted.

    And much to Melena¡¯s surprise, the mule did stop. They hurried after him to find him happily grabbing great mouthfuls from a leafy bush. Guave readjusted her shawls with annoyance and faced them.

    ¡°I suppose thanks are in order,¡± she said sourly.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Melena smiled while Toad glared. His front was covered in mud.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have extra money to give you,¡± Guave pondered. ¡°Ah! I¡¯ll give you a reading, free of charge!¡± Her smile was oddly sharp.

    Toad groaned.

    Guave¡¯s pouchy eyes latched onto him and she barked, ¡°Get inside my wagon, boy, and get my teapot!¡±

    ¡°What d¡¯you need a teapot for?¡± Toad demanded.

    ¡°Because I said so! Now get it!¡±

    ¡°Get your own bloody ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Toad,¡± said Melena swiftly. ¡°Please?¡±

    Grumbling nothing but nastiness, Toad clambered into the wagon.

    ¡°Now then.¡± Guave settled down onto a tree stump. ¡°What¡¯s your name, girl?¡±

    ¡°Melena Snead,¡± said Melena, feeling suddenly nervous.

    Guave peered at her sideways like an evil-tempered chicken.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°You¡¯re looking for something ¡­¡± the old woman began, red-rimmed eyes piercing.

    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± said Melena, startled. She had never had her fortune told before and was suddenly very excited. ¡°I¡¯m looking for my ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t spew it all over the place! I¡¯m the one telling!¡± Guave barked.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Melena apologized.

    Guave glared at her before closing her pouchy eyes.

    ¡°I see ¡­ someone,¡± she muttered. ¡°You are seeking ¡­ searching ¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, my bro ¡ª¡±

    Guave¡¯s watery eyes flew open and she suddenly looked so much like an angry snapping turtle that Melena¡¯s voice died in her throat.

    ¡°I see a person ¡­¡± Guave continued in the same low murmur, closing her furious eyes again. ¡°He is surrounded by fog ¡­ I cannot see his face ¡­ he is ¡­ your brother?¡±

    Guave opened her grumpy eyes. Melena nodded vigorously.

    ¡°Do you see me finding him?¡± Melena asked in a rush before the old woman could stop her. ¡°Can you see where he is? Is he hurt?¡±

    Guave¡¯s fat lips pursed in aggravation.

    ¡°For that,¡± she said sharply, ¡°I¡¯d need three silvertons.¡± She pulled from inside her numerous shawls a sickly pink mug.

    ¡°But I thought you would tell my fortune for free because I helped you,¡± said Melena, stung.

    ¡°I¡¯m old, girl. No pay. No information.¡± Guave gave the pink mug a demanding shake.

    Melena frowned in irritation, but opened her knapsack for her money pouch anyway.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pay the old coot.¡± Toad jumped down from the wagon, a flowery teapot in hand. He pushed it into Guave¡¯s gnarled hands, scowling. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know nuthin¡¯, Melena. Don¡¯t waste your money on her.¡±

    Guave leapt to her feet, flinging the teapot aside.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything?¡± she demanded, eyes popping. ¡°I? Lady Guave?¡± She seemed to expand with rage. Melena took a nervous step backward but Toad held his ground.

    ¡°A lucky bunch of guess work is all you do,¡± he spat.

    ¡°You imbecile!¡± Guave shrieked, her hands turning into claws. ¡°You worthless bit of slime! How dare you!¡±

    ¡°Come on, Melena, we¡¯ve wasted enough time. Shoulda left her in the mud.¡±

    ¡°But ¡­¡±

    Melena didn¡¯t want to leave. Guave knew something! She knew where Milo was!

    Toad grabbed Melena by the wrist, turned on his heel, and walked away, dragging Melena after him. Hazel, who had been ignoring all of this, lounging on Guave¡¯s roof, took to the air and flew after them.

    The moment the old lady¡¯s rants faded in the distance, Melena managed to yank herself free.

    ¡°How can you be sure that she didn¡¯t know anything about my brother?¡± she demanded.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you. Those fortunetellers are nuthin¡¯ but liars.¡±

    ¡°They can¡¯t all be liars!¡± Melena argued. ¡°She might have been telling the truth ¡ª she might know exactly where Milo is and you insulted her before she could say!¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t know squat,¡± said Toad flatly. ¡°She was gonna clean you out of gold faster than a weasel in a hen house. I heard the whole thing. You practically told her everything ¡ª ¡®Is it my brother? Do you see my brother?¡¯ Honestly, Melena, you make it so easy to get conned!¡±

    Melena clamped her jaw shut and turned away, furious with Toad and furious with herself, for she could feel the tell-tale prick of tears. And she was not going to cry in front of this obnoxious ¡ª

    ¡°Wilson, his sister was one. She used to run with a gang of ¡¯em before she got hung. Telling fortunes ¡ª more like pickin¡¯ pockets, snatchin¡¯ purses. But sometimes ¡­ sometimes they did other stuff. They don¡¯t just carry knickknacks in those wagons. They¡¯re dangerous. Probably the most dangerous people you could meet.¡±

    Toad fell silent. Melena had never seen him so serious. It made him look far older than twelve. The look on his face took her by surprise and for a moment she forgot she was angry.

    ¡°I just ¡ª there just ain¡¯t no need for you to get your hopes up. ¡¯Cuz I know about getting your hopes up. That¡¯s all,¡± he finished.

    Melena didn¡¯t respond. She looked away, her eyes focusing on the moss-covered trees before her. She suddenly felt a twinge of shame. She wasn¡¯t the only person who was longing to be reunited with someone. Toad hadn¡¯t seen his father since he was a baby and though she hadn¡¯t asked, Melena suspected that he didn¡¯t even know who his mother was, and apparently, he¡¯d lost the thief gang that had raised him, and he never once complained about it. He seemed to have come to terms with being on his own, but that didn¡¯t mean it still didn¡¯t hurt. An uncomfortable knot formed in her chest. How would she feel if her companion was constantly reminding her of what she was missing?

    ¡°Tickle your toes

    Tickle your toes

    All the way to mar-ket

    Squint your eyes

    Pick your nose

    La di-da-di-daa-da¡±

    Melena jumped at the sudden singing. She looked about quickly, but they were the only ones on the road, and the voice sounded much too close. Sounded, in fact, like there was someone standing right between them.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Melena asked.

    ¡°Nuthin¡¯,¡± Toad grunted, though he glanced nervously down at the front of his buttoned-up coat.

    The sharp, annoying voice continued to trill its song and Melena stared at Toad¡¯s chest. She couldn¡¯t understand it, but she was sure the singing came from within the confines of his coat.

    She reached out her hand.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Toad clamped his arms over his chest.

    Now a cackling, mad laughter was coming from within the coat.

    ¡°What¡¯s in there?¡± asked Melena.

    ¡°Why are you so nosy?¡± Toad fired back

    ¡°Nooosy,¡± the sharp voice echoed. ¡°Nosy, nosy, NOOOSY!¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you shut it up?¡± asked Melena, screwing up her eyes as the voice jumped off the trees.

    Toad hesitated, his arms still clamped protectively over his chest. He seemed to want to keep whatever it was out of sight, but the voice was energized now, whistling like a kettle. Toad opened his coat and withdrew the most bizarre ¡ª thing ¡ª Melena had ever seen.

    It was a beer mug. The ugliest, foulest beer mug in Calendula. It had been fashioned to look like a human face. The color of its ¡®skin¡¯ was a sickly tan with a splattering of pale spots, like the skin of someone who had baked in the sun one time too many. It had tiny, striped, glass blue marbles for eyes that spun about in a frenzy, making Melena¡¯s stomach twist sickly at the sight. A beaky nose sat above an enormous mouth and that mouth was what she couldn¡¯t stop staring at, even more so than the spinning eyes. It took up half its ghoulish face with large curved teeth. It looked like something that belonged to a freak show. Or something that danced about in nightmares. And even worse: it was talking.

    ¡°Ah, sunlight,¡± it commented with a sigh.

    Melena stared at Toad.

    ¡°What?¡± he asked.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Such an enchanting day,¡± the beer mug mused through its frightful grin. Then it frowned, its beady eyes suddenly shrewd, taking in its surroundings. ¡°Though not much sunlight¡­¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s Joe,¡± said Toad. ¡°Ol¡¯ Joe. The Bewitched Beer Mug of Thieves. I saw him in that crazy lady¡¯s wagon.¡±

    ¡°So of course, you decided to steal him!¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t belong to her,¡± Toad flared, hotly. ¡°His rightful place is among thieves. Anyone who has Joe is the Thief Lord. Everybody knows that. I couldn¡¯t let him stay with that woman.¡±

    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re a Thief Lord now?¡± said Melena, incredulous.

    Toad blinked at her owlishly. Than his face broke into a smile that rivaled the mug¡¯s.

    ¡°I am!¡±

    ¡°But ¡ª how?¡±

    ¡°What d¡¯ya mean how?¡± Toad snapped, his expression of euphoria turning sour. ¡°I just am.¡±

    ¡°But,¡± Melena pressed, utterly confused, ¡°how can a beer mug make you a Lord? That doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter! It¡¯s just the way it is. It¡¯s been this way forever. Everybody knows the rules.¡±

    The hideous beer mug started humming his stupid song again and then expelled a loud belch. How something like that made you a Thief Lord, Melena could not fathom.

    ¡°Does it have any manners?¡± she asked, disgusted as Joe smacked his fat lips in satisfaction.

    Toad actually seemed dumbfounded.

    ¡°What would a beer mug need manners for?¡±

    Melena grimaced, disgusted as Joe stuck out his tongue and waggled it at her.

    ¡°It¡¯s getting dark again,¡± she said, turning away from the sight. ¡°If you¡¯re lordship is willing, we should start a fire.¡±

 Chapter 7: Ogres and Ballads

    When the witch told him to get her stupid teapot, Toad agreed only because he wasn¡¯t in the mood to argue with her and Melena. He stomped around inside her wagon, banging into things, making more noise than was necessary¡ª

    ¡°I say, could you be a tad quieter in your rampaging?¡±

    Toad¡¯s head whipped around. His jaw dropped.

    ¡°Much better,¡± praised the beer mug.

    ¡°You¡¯re ¡ª you¡¯re ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Take your time,¡± the beer mug encouraged.

    ¡°You¡¯re Joe!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve heard of me?¡± cried the mug, delighted.

    ¡°Jack talked about you all the time!¡± Toad couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. After years of hearing about the Bewitched Beer Mug of Thieves, here he was! Sitting upon a cluttered shelf, between a basket of knitting needles and a gaudy old necklace.

    ¡°Jack? Do you mean Jack the Barbarian?¡± inquired the mug sharply.

    ¡°Nah. Jack Pinch of the Ramblers.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no. I was never owned by a Jack Pinch of the Ramblers. But Jack the Barbarian did talk a great deal ¡ª perhaps that was how your Jack heard of me?¡±

    Toad glanced over his shoulder. He could hear through the walls of the wagon that Melena and the fortuneteller were talking.

    ¡°He was a dastardly fellow,¡± the beer mug continued happily. ¡°Truly repugnant. And smelled! Ah, lad, the stench could knock over an ox! And his brother Jenkins ¡ª I made up a poem about him.¡±

    The mug fussily cleared his throat:

    ¡°Jittery Jenkins jumps and jingles

    Jumbles and bumbles

    Bungles and Tumbles ¡ª¡±

    Toad snatched the mug off the shelf and tucked him away inside his coat, the poem now muffled as Joe, unperturbed, continued to recite. Toad waited inside the wagon until the mug had finished.

    He hadn¡¯t planned on telling Melena about Joe, but when Joe began to sing, there wasn¡¯t much he could do to hide that. He didn¡¯t care that Melena didn¡¯t like Joe. Having an enchanted beer mug with them had to come in handy.

    The air between them was frigid as Melena set about gathering sticks for another fire, and Toad, sick of Holly-Harp, argued that they should press on through the night, sparking a furious argument to erupt.

    ¡°WE¡¯RE MAKING A FIRE AND THAT¡¯S THAT!¡± Melena bellowed.

    Stewing, Toad stomped through the darkening underbrush, looking for twigs. Who¡¯d put her in charge, anyway? If he was calling the shots, they¡¯d already be out of this bloody forest. Melena was an uppity, controlling nag. What did he need her for? He was the one who got the unicorn hair! She¡¯d just stood there like a gaping goldfish! He didn¡¯t need her! He didn¡¯t need anyone! He ¡ª Toad, son of Bonaparte Yuff, Pirate of the High Seas and wrangler of wolf eels ¡ª was the Thief Lord! He was ¡­ he ¡­

    Toad stopped in his tracks; the armful of sticks he¡¯d collected cascaded from his grip. His gaze was unfocused, his mind a sudden delirious whirl.

    ¡°Master Toad?¡± asked Joe from the belt loop that Toad had tied the mug¡¯s handle to. ¡°Are we playing a new game now? I must say the ¡®pick up sticks¡¯ was a bit monotonous, but I am quite fond of impersonations.¡± The mug quickly grew excited. ¡°You look just like a trout, Master Toad! That¡¯s what you are, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯ll have a go now, shall I?¡± Joe stuck out his tongue. ¡°Guess what I am, Master Toad!¡± he said, sounding like a child at a party.

    ¡°I¡¯m the Thief Lord,¡± Toad whispered.

    Joe stopped hissing like a leaking gas lamp, his frown back in place. ¡°No, Master Toad, you looked much more like a trout,¡± he said critically.

    ¡°I can go back home. The Ramblers will take me back ¡ª they¡¯ll have to.¡± All the stories Jack and Wilson had told him about the Beer Mug of Thieves and Toad ¡ª Toad ¡ª had it. What was he doing crawling around a forest for fire starter when he could be in Hickory? When he could be home?

    Toad turned on the spot. Thoughts of resuming his rightful place beside Jack filling his mind¡ª

    ¡°Hold on there, Lordie.¡±

    Toad jumped. A bush rustled just out of sight and a moment later, a long, lean form stepped into view.

    Cutter.

    Toad knew it was him, even in the gloom of the forest. It would be a long time before he forgot the leering, blade-wielding creep from Owl¡¯s house.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Toad demanded. He hastily took a step back and nearly tripped over a root.

    Cutter snickered. ¡°Blind and deaf. I¡¯ve been tailing you since you left Hickory. Some Thief Lord you are.¡±

    Toad¡¯s stomach clenched. He¡¯d been right. He¡¯d kept it to himself, because really, what was there to be done about it? Ever since they¡¯d entered this blasted forest, Toad had felt the lurking sensation that something was watching them, and all the while it had been Cutter.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Toad said, harshly. ¡°And why¡¯ve you been doing that?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think Mr. Owl would just let you go on your merry way, did you? I¡¯m your¡± ¡ª Cutter¡¯s teeth glistened in a predatory smile ¡ª ¡°handler.¡±

    Toad¡¯s stomach gave a sickening lurch. ¡°What¡¯re you on about? I don¡¯t need your help. I¡¯m gettin¡¯ Owl¡¯s goods. You tell him that ¡ª you tell him, I¡¯ve got it under control.¡±

    Cutter laughed and the sound made the hairs on Toad¡¯s arms stand on end. Cutter reached into his coat pocket and Toad flinched, but Cutter didn¡¯t pull out his knife. Instead there was the strike of a match and the glow of a cigarette. Toad wrinkled his nose as Cutter blew smoke in his direction.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him you got the unicorn hair, don¡¯t you worry about that.¡± Cutter took a step forward and Toad immediately retreated until his back hit a tree. ¡°But ¡ª and I could be mistaken ¡ª but it looked to me that you were thinking about hiking it just now.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± said Toad, eyes fixed on the glowing ember drooping from Cutter¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cutter breathed. ¡°All that grumbling and talk about beer mugs, but here¡¯s the thing, kid. Mr. Owl doesn¡¯t follow thief rules. Mr. Owl told you to get his ingredients and that¡¯s what you¡¯re gonna do.¡± Cutter stopped a hair¡¯s breadth from Toad, putrid smoke filling his nostrils. ¡°Ain¡¯t cha?¡±

    The silent threat was impossible to miss. Unable to speak, Toad jerkily nodded his head.

    ¡°Good boy,¡± Cutter whispered and Toad wanted to swing his fist in his pockmarked face. ¡°Keep this up and you might have all those ingredients by February.¡±

    ¡°February? What¡¯s February got to do with anything?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s your new deadline now that the boss knows you¡¯ve got some chance at success. But if you don¡¯t ¡­ if you run for it ¡­ my knife¡¯s gonna have a good ol¡¯ time with you and that girl ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Leave her out of this!¡± said Toad. ¡°She¡¯s got nuthin¡¯ to do with this!¡±

    But Cutter¡¯s soft laughter doused Toad in iced water, freezing the blood in his veins. ¡°You think you¡¯ve got any say in this, boy? You¡¯re a nobody. A stupid kid who got into a stupid situation. But now, you¡¯ve gotta deliver or things are gonna get mighty unpleasant mighty fast.¡± He moved his face within an inch of Toad¡¯s and it took every ounce of Toad¡¯s willpower to hold still even as cigarette ash tumbled onto his shirt. ¡°Now how about you pick up those sticks and head back to that girl and don¡¯t worry about wolves. I¡¯ll look after you.¡±

    It took a long time before Toad could make himself move after Cutter slipped back out of sight, enveloped in shadow, his dark laugh teasingly drifting on a night breeze. He was slick with sweat.

    ¡°Master Toad, that fellow seemed rather suspect,¡± Joe finally voiced from Toad¡¯s hip.

    A strangled laugh escaped Toad¡¯s mouth. ¡°Yeah. Yeah, he ain¡¯t too swell.¡±

    ¡°I do not recommend further fraternization,¡± Joe advised.

    Toad didn¡¯t reply, bending down to pick up the sticks he¡¯d dropped. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t stop his hands from shaking.

    Toad kept Cutter¡¯s visit to himself. Joe, oddly enough, remained mute on the matter as well. Then again, Joe belonged to Toad and it only made sense that his mug would hold his lord¡¯s secrets. As much as Melena wanted the ¡®payment¡¯ to hire a private detective, Toad suspected that learning that a knife-happy thug was trailing after them might change her mind. It was imperative now, more than ever, that Toad get the ingredients and that Melena stayed with him, which in turn, required Melena to think that everything was peachy.

    Unfortunately, Melena was dangerously perceptive.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± she asked.

    Toad¡¯s eyes jerked to her. ¡°What? No.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡± ¡ª she narrowed her eyes ¡ª ¡°you keep looking behind you. Did we forget something?¡± And she immediately began checking her bag and patting down her pockets.

    ¡°No,¡± said Toad, so quickly that Melena¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°It¡¯s just being in this forest makes me think something¡¯s watching us. You know?¡±

    When they finally exited Holly-Harp Wood, Toad and Melena both let out a breath of relief. All Toad wanted was to curl up and sleep for days in the soft grass, but twilight was heavy on the horizon and a new fire had to be started ¡­

    Toad shot another nervous glance over his shoulder, squinting in the sunlight, but Holly-Harp Wood was nowhere in sight. It had to be harder for Cutter to follow them now that they were clear of the forest. Surely they¡¯d be able to give him the slip. But there was no reason for Cutter to hurt them. Not yet, Toad reminded himself darkly. Owl wanted the ingredients and Cutter was there to make sure they were working on just that. For the first time, Toad wondered about the value of the ingredients they were hunting. For someone who¡¯d been taught to seek out things that stunk of wealth, he¡¯d never paid any mind to unicorn hairs or the like. Was there another reason why Cutter was here? Did Owl fear that Toad would make off with them ¡­ sell them for a pretty price? Because no matter what Owl had said about ¡®discussing payment¡¯, Toad had the growing suspicion that Owl wasn¡¯t going to exchange anything for the ingredients. Why would he when he practically had Toad¡¯s arms wrestled behind his back? And if that was the case, what would stop Cutter from snatching up their supply when they¡¯d finally managed to get the lot, and slice their throats for good measure? Toad shivered involuntarily and hunched his shoulders, the hairs on the back of his neck unpleasantly raised.

    <hr>

    They traveled on foot for the next week, past sweeping fields of pasture, with not a single passing buggy, toward the closest town on her map. Melena was so tired, her feet riddled with blisters, that she wouldn¡¯t have minded hopping onto one, regardless of the unpleasant ride. Toad seemed to have developed a twitch that Melena hadn¡¯t noticed before; though he tried to be sneaky about it, Melena caught him numerous times shooting harried glances behind them. Asking what was wrong didn¡¯t seem to help. Toad would jerk in surprise, eyes going comically wide as if she¡¯d caught him in some wrong doing, before quickly changing the subject. So she stopped bringing up his increasingly odd behavior, but when his back was turned, when he was occupied with other matters, she swept a quick eye herself over the horizon, but she never saw anyone or anything, save a half-dozen curly-horned bulls.

    They got better and faster at setting up camp, though Melena began to fantasize about plump cushions and warm blankets with a desperation bordering obsession. She developed a tick just as pronounced as Toad¡¯s, glancing down at her map over and over, though it was impossible to tell if they were any closer to the little inked dot of Hollytown. She had never had the nicest accommodations, though she supposed she¡¯d lived well the few short years she¡¯d had with her parents; Miggens Street was on the nicer end of East Hickory. The orphanage had been crowded. It was common for the children to share beds, and she, more often than not, would wake with an elbow in her ear and a knee in her back. The lumpy, moldy mattress the Bells had supplied her with hadn¡¯t been much of a step up, either. But at least she¡¯d been slightly comfortable with Hazel often snuggling close on cold nights. Melena quickly discovered that stretching out under the stars was something only delightful in poetry, not remotely pleasant when actually experienced. At least there weren¡¯t tree roots digging into her back.

    Once, they were lucky enough to hunker down in a farmer¡¯s barn, nestled in hay, crooned to sleep by the grunt of pigs. Toad lifted a half-dozen eggs out from a nest box the morning after, replacing them with a few druets Melena passed him. The meal that followed felt excessively decadent.

    Then there was Joe, who, no matter what Toad said, was not useful in the slightest. In fact, he seemed to go out of his way to make their days as difficult as possible, often questioning the route, causing Toad to voice concern, causing Melena to dig out the map (again) and argue that yes, this was the quickest way to Hollytown. Joe jabbered nonsense or spontaneously quoted randomly from encyclopedias and journals. He was just as likely to bite fingers as he was to pay compliments and often started up games only to change the rules halfway through, growing snappish and huffy when Melena or Toad made mistakes. If he felt that the atmosphere was growing too quiet, he¡¯d break into one of his songs, none of which were remotely good but stuck in Melena¡¯s brain like taffy. He believed in rising early and would roust them at the crack of dawn with sharp whistles and bugle calls. His insistent perkiness for the hours that followed was more draining than the long trek of road before them.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you make him stop,¡± Melena pleaded as they gulped down water from a stream.

    Toad had left Joe on a nearby tree stump. Hazel, neck stretched to its fullest, kept trying to sniff him, but each time she got close, Joe snapped his gruesome teeth, sending the dragon reeling backward.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried,¡± Toad whispered dejectedly. ¡°He told me Jack the Barbarian always preferred ¡®risin¡¯ with the sun.¡¯¡±

    ¡°But you aren¡¯t Jack the Barbarian,¡± said Melena, voice strained. ¡°Tell him Toad the ¡­ the Lounger likes his sleep.¡±

    Toad opened his mouth in annoyance at her title for him only to turn in surprise when a rumbling sounded in the distance. From where they¡¯d come a great cloud of dust had lifted into the air. Something was coming toward them. And it moved at a very quick clip.

    Toad shielded his eyes with a hand. He grinned. ¡°Finally! That¡¯s a buggy.¡±

    Melena hurriedly squinted at the horizon. ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah. That¡¯s a buggy all right!¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s moving too quickly?¡± said Melena, nervous.

    Toad hesitated for half a breath before saying, ¡°No, I wouldn¡¯t say so.¡±

    ¡°Toad, are you sure, because I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s coming up! Get ready!¡± he said, snatching up Joe.

    Melena¡¯s jump was just as awkward as the first time she¡¯d done it, but after quickly securing her feet and wrapping her arms around the rails, she felt lighter than a dandelion. Toad grinned at her through his mess of whipping hair.

    ¡°See?¡± he said. ¡°Easy peasy.¡±

    The buggy had done the trick. The long break off their aching feet and the distance crossed lifted their moods. At the sight of Hollytown, they hopped off, quickly found the nearest inn and paid for a meal that made Melena so full, she thought she might retch.

    Toad leaned back in his chair, massaging his stomach, a contented sigh on his lips.

    ¡°Goodness,¡± said the proprietor, as she took away the cleaned remains of their turkey legs. ¡°Should I dare ask if you two have room for dessert?¡±

    ¡°No thank you,¡± said Melena as Hazel, still chewing on a bone under her chair, let out a soft belch. ¡°I think we¡¯re good.¡±

    The woman nodded and left. Melena dug inside her bag, propped against her chair and pulled out her map. Toad cracked open an eye and said, ¡°Mirg water next?¡±

    ¡°Oh, no,¡± said Melena. ¡°We¡¯re much too far away to get that one next. I think ¡­¡± She narrowed her eyes and tapped her chin, thinking. ¡°I think our best option is to get the Elfin Gold. It¡¯s in Dunthur, which, according to the map is a good ways ¡­ We could head to Ramsey Port instead to reach the Shards, but I think that will put us out of our way. And we¡¯d have to backtrack to get the moonflower¡­¡±

    ¡°Shards?¡± asked Toad, picking as his teeth. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    Hazel climbed onto Melena¡¯s lap, the turkey bone still clamped in her jaws.

    ¡°A cluster of islands,¡± Melena explained. ¡°That¡¯s where the rocs live. But like I said, I think we should head to Dunthur first.¡±

    Toad straightened in his chair. ¡°We have to go to sea?¡±

    ¡°Yes. From there we¡¯ll continue on to the Blackens to get your Mirg water,¡± she said.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Toad snickered as if she¡¯d uttered a joke. ¡°Stop fooling around.¡±

    Melena looked up from her map. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll be best for both of us if you just come out and say it.¡±

    ¡°Say what?¡± Melena asked blankly.

    ¡°That we can get all this stuff at an apothecary. There¡¯s one right down the road ¡ª I saw it. We can even leave a tip on the counter.¡±

    ¡°Toad, I told you. We can¡¯t get these ingredients in an apothecary.¡±

    ¡°Not in any?¡±

    ¡°No, not in any,¡± Melena snapped, growing annoyed by his dubiousness. ¡°I swear, Toad. I want to get back to Hickory as much as you do. I want to find my brother. But there¡¯s no way of going about this easily. And anyway, I thought you wanted to go exploring like your father? And if you want me to prove it, we can ask the owner of the shop you spotted. He¡¯ll tell you.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Toad said, suddenly angry. ¡°So we¡¯ll go to Dunthur and then head to the Baskens.¡±

    ¡°Blackens,¡± Melena corrected. She traced a winding route on the map with her finger.

    ¡°But we don¡¯t have to go all that way, do we?¡± asked Toad in surprise. He pointed at the map where her finger rested: the Blackens. The northern tip of Calendula. ¡°How are we gonna get all the way up there?¡±

    ¡°A boat or a train. Maybe both. It¡¯ll take some time ¡ª¡±

    ¡°How much time?¡± Toad demanded.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Melena stared in confusion at his rough tone. ¡°Months probably.¡±

    ¡°Months?¡± Toad repeated. ¡°How many months?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Guess!¡±

    ¡°Well, I think Dunthur could easily be a month away, and then ¡­ Toad, are you all right?¡±

    Toad had turned a frightful shade of white.

    ¡°Look,¡± he said in a very low voice, ¡°we gotta be back in Hickory by February.¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t make any promises,¡± said Melena, puzzled as to why Toad was bringing this up now. ¡°I don¡¯t know if we will.¡±

    ¡°What d¡¯you mean you don¡¯t know!¡± Toad shouted, making Melena and Hazel jerk in surprise; a few diners turned in their chairs with disapproving mutters of ¡®children¡¯. Hazel growled around her bone. ¡°How can it take us six months to get just a few stupid ingredients?¡±

    ¡°Why are you so upset? This is going to take time. I told you it wouldn¡¯t be easy. I¡¯m only guessing ¡ª I don¡¯t know for sure. Maybe if we keep using buggies like today, we¡¯ll be back in Hickory by January.¡± She only said this to calm him as he was looking quite alarmed and she had absolutely no intention of getting tossed out of the inn for a ruckus when a warm, comfortable bed waited for her upstairs. And these words did seem to soothe him somewhat. He settled back down, but chewed on his lip in a nettled way.

    ¡°Why does it matter that we¡¯re back in Hickory by February?¡± Melena asked.

    ¡°¡¯Cuz that¡¯s when Owl wants ¡¯em,¡± said Toad.

    ¡°You never told me that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m tellin¡¯ you now.¡± Toad glared at her, brown eyes so dark that for the first time since being with him, Melena felt nervous. ¡°We gotta be back by February. We gotta. Or all deals are off.¡±

    Melena had every intention of heading out for Dunthur early, but she overslept, and upon waking, had a very difficult time locating Toad. She ended up finding him on the street.

    ¡°Where¡¯ve you been?¡± she demanded.

    Toad¡¯s cheeks were tinged pink, his eyes twinkling, and on one shoulder was a large, lumpy satchel.

    ¡°Provisions,¡± he said.

    Melena¡¯s eyes widened as she realized what he meant.

    ¡°Oh, Toad, you didn¡¯t steal¡ª¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s get moving! Not gonna get that Elfin Gold standing around!¡±

    They marched through a wheat field outside of Hollytown, heading toward the main road. Toad kept an eye out for buggies and Melena kept an eye on her map, reassuring herself that they were going in the right direction. They were making their way to the twisting, frightening caves of Dunthur to collect the Elfin Gold moss. After rereading Bartholomew¡¯s description, warning all travelers of the dangers the caves posed, Melena¡¯s thoughts turned fretful, filled with endless tunnels that looped in circles.

    But if she was ever going to find Milo, then she had to get the moss. They would collect it, turn southwest for Ramsey Port, and head to sea for the roc talon. Melena could not fathom how they would ever collect all that they needed and return to Hickory by February. She was rather frustrated that Mr. Owl had demanded such a short time frame.

    After two weeks had passed, Toad¡¯s provisions had been consumed, forcing them to return to scavenging for food, and Melena began to worry about the size of their task. Every evening, though her eyes itched with tiredness, her body numb with fatigue and hunger, she took out the map and studied their route. She wasn¡¯t very far off in her estimation that it would take a month to reach Dunthur. And Ramsey Port was just as far, and who knew how long a sea voyage to the Shards would last, not to mention how long it would take to then reach the Blackens. And then there was the moonflower which only bloomed during the full moon. How they would time that out properly, Melena had no idea.

    A spell of rain slowed their already sluggish progress, churning the road to mud under their feet. It didn¡¯t help that it took Melena an hour to convince Hazel to come down from the shelter of a spruce.

    ¡°Unlike Slinkwings and the Frilled Longback, Spit-Fires generally dislike water, as it hinders their fire-breathing capabilities, Dragon Book of Dragons, third edition,¡± Joe supplied from Toad¡¯s hip.

    ¡°Them and me both,¡± Toad muttered, lifting his foot out of a pool of mud with a squelch.

    As the terrain slowly transitioned to the rocky landscape of Dunthur, Joe, who had been the only cheerful one in the group during the stretch of rain, suddenly turned more wild than normal, insisting that they were going the wrong way and that they must turn back. It didn¡¯t matter that Melena thrust the map right in front of his spinning eyes, he argued with growing tenacity: ¡°I have seen every map under the Calendula sun and you, missy, are going the WRONG WAY!¡±

    To appease the insistent mug, Toad convinced Melena to let Joe lead the way. (¡°Why do you always have to be in charge?! He might know a shortcut!¡±)

    Joe¡¯s shortcut was certainly roundabout, leading them through thickets and across dangerous slopes, rocks sliding out from under their feet, but it wasn¡¯t until Toad began to notice that the area seemed familiar that they realized Joe was leading them back to where they¡¯d come. It took nearly a full day to backtrack and Joe was stuffed unceremoniously into Toad¡¯s knapsack.

    As satisfying as it was to have the mug out of sight, Joe turned even more manic within the burlap¡¯s confines. Melena began to suspect that he truly was mad. He reminded Melena of some of the more problematic children in the orphanage. The ones that stomped and raged and threw their few belongings against the walls when they didn¡¯t get what they wanted. But Melena didn¡¯t understand what was fueling this behavior with Joe, now of all times, when he had been moderately reasonable days before.

    When it dawned on the mug that no matter how many times he insisted they turn around ¡ª no matter how tired he made them with sleepless nights and endless, looping arguments ¡ª he was not going to get them to stop their trek to the caves, he changed tact.

    No longer did he bring up shortcuts; instead, much to Melena¡¯s aggravation, he began quoting lines from Bartholomew¡¯s Guide to All Things Potion in a mocking, high-pitched baby voice. It seemed that one of his previous masters had owned a copy of the book too and Melena knew that Joe was making fun of her book just to rattle her further.

    Finally, with their feet throbbing, their throats parched, and their hair and clothes disheveled, they came upon a thrilling sight: a sign for Dunthur.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there!¡± Melena cried joyfully.

    ¡°Blimey,¡± Toad moaned, collapsing onto the dusty road. ¡°When we get there, can we stay awhile? In an inn?¡±

    ¡°I bet at the pace we¡¯ve been going we¡¯ll be there in two days,¡± said Melena, feverishly consulting her map.

    ¡°And eat roast beef. With mustard. Lots of mustard. And potatoes. And fried pies. And ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Come on, Toad,¡± said Melena, rolling up her map. ¡°We should start seeing some inns now that we¡¯re so close.¡±

    Spurred on by the idea of a hot meal, they headed down the road with new life. They climbed what felt like the tenth large, sloping hill. Dunthur¡¯s countryside was dry, and rocky, full of blunt, jagged edges with a color scape of tan to copper. The sky was cloudless, the sun a glaring eye upon their backs. Just as Melena was silently appreciating that Joe was (finally) quiet, the mug began:

    ¡°¡®Take two handfuls of prickleberch seeds and mash them, smash them,¡¯¡± Joe recited in his baby croon. ¡°¡®Prickly is the prickleberch.¡¯ Prickly, tickly!¡± Joe suddenly switched to his cutting, normal tone. ¡°I say, Master Toad, you could write such a guide!¡±

    ¡°Sorry?¡± Toad asked his knapsack, taken aback.

    ¡°A guide, Master Toad. A guide to potions! It is all very simple. You don¡¯t need much knowledge¡± ¡ª Joe laughed nastily inside the bag ¡ª ¡°like I said, ¡®Prickly is the prickleberch¡¯. How deeply informative. How astutely helpful. How ¡ª¡±

    Melena snatched Toad¡¯s knapsack from his back.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Toad shouted, trying to grab it back.

    ¡°I¡¯m sick of that horrible mug!¡± Melena screeched. ¡°I haven¡¯t had a proper night¡¯s sleep since you got him! I¡¯m tossing it out!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Toad gripped hold of the bag¡¯s shoulder straps and pulled, but Melena dug in her fingernails and yanked it back.

    ¡°Bartholomew was a baboon!¡± Joe sang merrily from inside the knapsack. ¡°A red-faced, white-haired, ugly BABOON!¡±

    ¡°Joe, SHUT-UP!¡± Toad yelled, still pulling on the knapsack with all his might.

    Hazel watched with interest from a nearby boulder.

    ¡°BARTHOLOMEW DROOLED IN HIS SLEEP!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s foul! Awful! I hate him!¡± Melena snarled.

    ¡°BABOON! UGLY, FOUL, AWFUL BABOON!¡± Joe cackled.

    In tug of war fashion, Melena and Toad battled for the bag.

    Rip! One of the strap¡¯s stitches came undone and Melena and Toad tumbled over backwards. The bag fell with a soft thump on the ground between them. Red-faced and furious, they scrambled upright but just as they were about to lunge for the bag, a horrible grunting filled the air. For a moment, Melena thought it was Joe, enjoying all the disgusting sounds he could make, but just as she thought this, Hazel flew to her back and clung there, trembling. Melena¡¯s eyes looked up and latched onto a sight that made her bones turn to jelly.

    A great, brutish ogre stood before them, blinking his cloudy eyes. He had just emerged from around the giant boulder that Hazel had been perched atop, clearly attracted to their yells. He towered over them at ten feet, his feet the size of sleds. At the ends of his massive arms were dinner-plate sized hands with dirty fingers, gnarled and twisted, the nails chipped and splintered.

    Melena sat crouched in a state of transfixed horror; she was unable to move, unable to yank her gaze from the ogre¡¯s terrible face: a dripping snout for a nose, a mouth full of big, yellow teeth, tiny watery eyes and huge, fleshy ears.

    The ogre twitched his fat, droopy lips and sniffed the air. He took a lumbering step toward them. Melena and Toad sat immobilized upon the rocky ground, their mouths open in silent screams.

    The ogre grunted.

    Melena shook like a twig.

    As he took another step, his great, clumsy foot caught Toad¡¯s knapsack, still lying in a heap, making it swing forward.

    Out flew Ol¡¯ Joe like a grinning missile. He landed with a clunk and rolled back across the sloped ground, coming to a stop before the ogre. The ogre looked down and cocked his head. Joe blinked his spinning, marble eyes, stared straight upward at the squinting ogre and opened his mouth wide:

    O sweet, sweet Joanna

    How torn my heart!

    O sweet, sweet Joanna

    Our kiss shall never part!

    Joe sang in the most dazzling baritone Melena had ever heard. The sad ballad left his clay lips slowly and mournfully, as if the mug wasn¡¯t the slightest bit concerned that a murderous ogre stood two feet away.

    O sweet, sweet Joanna

    How thine eyes mine do miss!

    O sweet, sweet Joanna

    Lushest green now turned to mist!

    The ogre winced and squeezed his tiny eyes shut. He took a step backward and shook his head, making his huge ears flap against his skull. He didn¡¯t like the noise, but didn¡¯t want to leave his dinner, either. He seemed torn between wanting to get far away from the singing beer mug and wanting to reach Melena and Toad. In a sudden burst of understanding, Melena shouted at Toad, ¡°SING!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Toad¡¯s eyes were popping.

    ¡°Sing!¡± Melena repeated and filling her lungs, she bellowed with Joe:

    O sweet, sweet Joanna

    How wicked the under-lord king!

    O sweet, sweet Joanna

    Who stole our cherished ring!

    Two singing voices combined made the ogre snarl, slapping his great hands over his ears. His tiny eyes were screwed up in pain and frustration, but though he writhed, though he spitted and grunted, he did not leave.

    O SWEET, SWEET JOANNA!

    HOW TORN MY HEART!

    Toad had joined them now; their voices reached a booming cacophony that echoed off the boulders. The ogre let out a deafening roar ¡ª Melena¡¯s voice caught in her throat ¡ª but she continued singing the slow, sad song at the top of her voice.

    The ogre stomped his ugly feet, making the ground shake. He kept trying to make wild swipes at Melena and Toad, but the moment he removed his hands from his ears, he let out a pained roar and slapped them back over them.

    With tremendous vigor, Melena, Toad, and Joe filled the air with their ballad. Even Hazel let out a yowling wail that warbled along with the words.

    O SWEET, SWEET JOANNA!

    LUSHEST GREEN NOW TURNED TO MIST!

    The ogre let out a shriek, turned, and ran back from where he had come, his tree-trunk legs rushing him away from their music, hands still clamped firm over his ears.

    Melena and Toad stopped singing and stared after the retreating ogre. For a moment, they sat, limp with shock and then Toad began to laugh. He laughed so hard that he was soon hitting the ground with his fists. Melena couldn¡¯t help herself. She started to laugh, too. Joe continued to sing in his low baritone until the song was finished. He blinked his marble eyes at them, grinned his toothy smile and fell into contented silence as if nothing odd had happened.

    Toad picked up his knapsack while Melena carefully lifted Joe from the ground.

    ¡°He isn¡¯t cracked, is he?¡± Toad asked, staring down at the mug in concern.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± said Melena. Then she did something that made Toad and Hazel stare in shock: she kissed Joe on the cheek.

    ¡°Thank you, Joe,¡± she said.

    Joe giggled and batted his spinning eyes. Melena could have sworn he was blushing.

 Chapter 8: One Clump Elfin Gold

    The encounter with the ogre invigorated them; being nearly eaten alive had its perks. They set off briskly, the little narrow trail winding them up and down Dunthur¡¯s hilly landscape, though they took care to first peer around corners in case more ogres crouched in waiting. Toad silently hoped that Cutter had witnessed the ogre dash away from them, or better yet, he hoped the beast had run straight into the thug.

    They came upon a lopsided, weathered sign that was barely dangling from the gnarled tree trunk it had been nailed to.

    ¡°What¡¯s that say?¡± asked Toad, squinting at the sign.

    ¡°Caves of Dunthur: Enter at Your Own Peril,¡± Melena read.

    ¡°Sounds like they¡¯re right up our alley,¡± Toad joked with a cocky grin. Joe, once again returned to his place at Toad¡¯s hip, let out an odd snort, but otherwise remained mute.

    ¡°So, we¡¯re gonna go in, find this gold and get out,¡± said Toad businesslike.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡±

    Something in Melena¡¯s voice made Toad pause.

    ¡°What?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s just ¡­ ¡± Melena looked unusually uncomfortable. ¡°They are dangerous, the caves.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Toad scoffed. ¡°We just handled an ogre! What¡¯s more dangerous than that?¡±

    Joe again made his strangled grunt.

    ¡°Well¡± ¡ª and now Melena really wasn¡¯t looking at him ¡ª ¡°they¡¯re caves, Toad. I¡¯ve read that they¡¯re quite ¡­ complicated.¡±

    Toad stared at her, finally realizing fully for the first time that they would be going underground, down who knew how many tunnels, down who knew how deep.

    ¡°You gotta plan though, right?¡± he asked quickly.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a plan,¡± Melena nodded, though she still refused to meet his eye.

    Toad sighed in relief. ¡°Good. What is it?¡±

    ¡°Remember our way.¡±

    ¡°Re-remember our way?¡± Toad repeated in disbelief.

    ¡°Remember our way,¡± said Melena with a firm nod, and it struck Toad that she was probably trying to convince herself more so than him. ¡°Come on. This must be one of the openings.¡±

    A hole just large enough for them to crawl through gaped open at the foot of the slope a little off the path. Scraggly, yellow grass half-covered the opening from view.

    ¡°How d¡¯you know it ain¡¯t a rabbit hole?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°It¡¯s too big.¡±

    ¡°Then maybe it belongs to a badger. I hear they ain¡¯t too nice.¡±

    Melena looked suddenly anxious.

    ¡°How do you know if it belongs to a badger?¡± she asked him, worried.

    Toad shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never seen one.¡±

    Hazel spared Toad from Melena¡¯s rolling eyes by swooping down and strolling straight into the hole, her long green tail disappearing into the darkness.

    ¡°Well, we¡¯re not going to get anywhere standing here,¡± said Melena, sounding more like herself. She squared her shoulders, readjusted her knapsack more securely on her back, got onto her hands and knees and followed Hazel. Toad was about to do the same when Joe suddenly spoke, making him stop.

    ¡°Leave me here, Master Toad!¡±

    Toad looked down at the mug, eyebrows raised. ¡°What? Why?¡±

    ¡°I ¡ª I do not wish to go further,¡± said Joe. His marble eyes were fixed upon the dark entrance with something close to terror.

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave you sitting out here,¡± said Toad. ¡°Anyone could grab you.¡± And ignoring the mug¡¯s protests, Toad crawled through the entrance.

    Darkness pressed upon his eyes like a blindfold. Feeling about with his hands, he inched forward until he felt a strong draft. He waved his arms tentatively above his head and met empty space. Slowly, he stood; he must be in a cavern. How large, he couldn¡¯t tell.

    ¡°Toad?¡± Melena whispered.

    ¡°Here,¡± he said; reaching out, he found her arm.

    They stood, waiting for their eyes to adjust to the dark. Then without warning Melena let out a screech.

    ¡°What? What?¡± Toad yelled.

    Beside him, Melena was gasping for air.

    ¡°It¡¯s ¡ª nothing ¡ª¡± she heaved weakly, ¡° ¡ª just ¡ª Hazel. Hazel, where are you?¡±

    There was the sound of rustling and Toad felt the dragon¡¯s smooth, slick scales brush the back of his hand as Hazel clambered up Melena¡¯s front.

    ¡°This is crazy. How¡¯re we supposed to find any gold when we can¡¯t see our own feet?¡± said Toad.

    It was a problem that made him feel incredibly stupid. Why hadn¡¯t they thought of the fact that it would be too dark to see?

    ¡°I suppose we could go back out and find a stick. Hazel could light it for us,¡± said Melena.

    There was a great, heavy sigh from Toad¡¯s hip and a moment later, with a small pop, a single orb of light appeared before them, floating in midair.

    Toad stood rooted to the spot, staring at the floating light, stunned. Then he looked down at the mug in gleeful amazement.

    ¡°You can do magic?¡±

    Though it was clear Joe was trying hard to restrain it, a grin flickered across his face.

    ¡°Master Toad wished to see,¡± Joe explained. ¡°Now Master Toad can.¡±

    ¡°Joe, you¡¯re brilliant!¡± Toad cried, punching the air and making Hazel shiver from the onslaught of echoes.

    ¡°Shhh, Toad!¡± Melena scolded, cradling her dragon. ¡°How can you do that?¡± she asked Joe, reaching out a tentative finger toward the orb. It shifted higher out of reach.

    Joe opened his mouth, but Toad exclaimed, ecstatic, ¡°He¡¯s the Bewitched Beer Mug of Thieves! He can do anything!¡±

    ¡°Well ¡­ Master Toad, I wouldn¡¯t say I could do anything,¡± Joe mumbled, flattered and embarrassed. At the onslaught of compliments, it seemed that Joe could not hold onto whatever fear had gripped him at the cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°I too do not enjoy the dark. Ol¡¯ Joe is happy to be of service.¡±

    They started to walk. The orb drifted ahead of them, shining upon the walls and ceiling. In a surge of inspiration, Toad fished out his set of lock-picks and periodically made long scraped Xs on the walls to help them retrace their steps. The caves were damp and chilly; every now and then a loud drip drop could be heard from somewhere up ahead, but more than anything, there was deep, utter silence. With the orb, Toad and Melena feasted upon the dazzling sights of the caverns and tunnels and their initial trepidation of the caves began to dissipate. They wound through tight, narrow passages with ceilings so low they had to bend over double before walking into expanses so enormous that the ceilings disappeared into darkness. It was like a monstrous maze and many times they were forced to double back when the route grew impossible. They waded through pools of water that ¡ª thankfully ¡ª only came up to their ankles. There were odd, strange creatures: insects of bright orange and red with spindly legs and bulging bodies. Sometimes they heard the rustling of bat wings from overhead. Hazel left Melena¡¯s shirt and began to fully enjoy herself, exploring nooks and crannies that were far too small for Toad and Melena.

    ¡°What¡¯s this Elfin Gold look like, then?¡± asked Toad, inspecting a pale scorpion-like creature, snoozing on a stalagmite. ¡°Like gorents only smaller?¡±

    Melena gave him a bewildered expression before letting out a laugh that ricocheted around them like cannon fire.

    ¡°What?¡± Toad demanded, suddenly feeling hot around the collar.

    ¡°Elfin Gold isn¡¯t money, Toad. It¡¯s a kind of moss.¡±

    ¡°Moss?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Melena, still snickering. ¡°It shimmers like gold, that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Toad muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets. ¡°Figures.¡±

    As their eyes swept the rock walls for anything golden and fuzzy, the recollections of the turns they had made became more difficult. When they came upon a huge cross-section of five different openings, Melena stopped.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s think about this.¡±

    ¡°Left, left, straight, left again at that rock that looked like Hazel on a pumpkin, right, straight, past that waterfall, and right again,¡± Toad reeled off.

    ¡°Yes, I think that¡¯s right,¡± Melena murmured. ¡°So, which way now?¡±

    They took the far right. This tunnel was as smooth as glass and just large enough for them to slip through single file. As they walked, the tunnel sloped downward until it became alarmingly steep. They shuffled quite slowly to keep from sliding straight downward, hands gripping the tunnel¡¯s sides. The stone floor beneath them was slick with moisture and Toad wondered if the water escaped this way during heavy rains. Finally they reached the bottom where the largest expanse of water they had yet seen stretched out before them, answering Toad¡¯s question. Around one edge of the dark lake was a narrow strip of cave floor. Toad reached down and picked up a rock. The orb floated near him. He dropped the stone into the water with a plunk.

    ¡°Blimey.¡±

    In the orb¡¯s light, Toad couldn¡¯t see the rock in the water. In fact, he couldn¡¯t see the lake¡¯s bottom at all.

    ¡°This looks deep,¡± he said, unnerved. He peered across the black expanse. For some reason this underground lake made him far more nervous than anywhere else they¡¯d been. ¡°I don¡¯t think there are any other passages here. Let¡¯s go back. Pick another tunnel.¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    As the orb drifted dutifully back overhead, Melena let out a shout that made Toad jump.

    ¡°There it is!¡± she yelled, pointing to the far side of the lake.

    ¡°What? Where?¡±

    ¡°There! Over there! On those rocks. That¡¯s Elfin Gold! I¡¯m sure of it.¡±

    Toad squinted his eyes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see it,¡± he said.

    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± said Melena impatiently. ¡°It¡¯s just over there!¡±

    Melena hurried around the lake, Toad right behind her, to the far side where a cluster of tall rocks stood on the largest expanse of cave floor. As they neared, Toad¡¯s heart pumped faster. He could see them now in the orb¡¯s light: dark green until the light from the orb spread over the rock, turning the moss suddenly an unmistakable, brilliant gold. They had found it! They had actually found ¡ª

    ¡°AAAAHHHHHHH!¡±

    Melena screamed and nearly tumbled into the lake. Toad grabbed her from behind at the very last moment and his heart leapt into his throat. There, sprawled amongst the base of the rocks, was a skeleton. A human skeleton.

    ¡°What happened to him?¡± Toad demanded, too horrified to care that his voice was higher than usual.

    ¡°It is difficult to tell from this angle,¡± said Joe with the air of an intrigued doctor. ¡°The bones look a bit ¡­. chewed.¡±

    ¡°You mean,¡± Toad sputtered, ¡°something ate him? There aren¡¯t ogres down here, are there?¡±

    ¡°O-o.¡± Melena tip-toed over the bones and reached up for a cluster of the fern-like moss, glowing so brightly that it was painful to look at.

    ¡°Careful,¡± said Toad.

    Melena stretched. ¡°Got it!¡±

    ¡°Excellent!¡± Toad cheered. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of ¡ª¡±

    Toad¡¯s voice died. He felt the blood drain from his face, turning as white as the bones around Melena¡¯s feet. He was staring at something over Melena¡¯s shoulder. She turned to look when an odd squelchy gurgle sounded behind her.

    A monster ¡ª a frightfully, awful monster ¡ª was mere feet from Melena. Its eyes were enormous, the size of goose eggs and milky white. Its gray, pebbly skin was stretched taunt upon a fleshless face. Its jaw was hinged and abnormally wide, full of shark-like teeth. Its hands rested on the rock, hands that were oddly webbed and huge with each finger ending in a sharp, jagged nail. It was as tall as a human man, yet oddly shrunken and hunched, jagged bones jutting out against gray skin.

    It let out its odd gurgling croak again. It tilted its head, its sightless eyes roving over them; it reached out a hand ¡­

    Thunk!

    The creature hissed and jerked backward. Toad dived down to scoop up another rock.

    ¡°Run!¡± he yelled, taking aim.

    Melena scampered over the skeleton¡¯s bones, making them roll into the lake with a splash. Toad kept up a rain of rocks and pebbles and the creature ducked back behind the boulders, spitting like a snake. Toad hurled one more rock; it missed and bounced off the cave wall, landing with a plop into the lake. He turned and ran, catching up with Melena in seconds. They dashed to the tunnel¡¯s opening, but it was so steep and slick that their feet couldn¡¯t get traction. It was as if the floor had been mopped with oil. The more they tried to run the more they stumbled and slipped backward. From somewhere behind them, they heard the monster slip into the water. It could swim. Whatever it was could swim. And in the midst of Toad¡¯s panicked, pointless, sliding running he knew that if it dragged them into the water they were dead.

    It would drown them.

    The creature gurgled behind them. Melena let out a terrified sob. Toad pushed her behind him, shielding her from the two, bulging eyes above the water¡¯s surface. In a last ditch effort, Toad hurled his own knapsack at the monster¡¯s head. But the bag landed short with a loud splash and the creature flashed an angry mess of teeth. It swam closer.

    ¡°M-M-Master Toad!¡± Joe cried from Toad¡¯s hip, his voice quaking. ¡°M-M-Master Toad, I ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Get climbing!¡± Toad roared. ¡°I¡¯ll hold it off!¡± Though how he would against such a mouthful of teeth, he had no idea. He scooped up a fistful of more pebbles as he heard Melena¡¯s futile attempts to crawl up the tunnel. He threw back his arm; the monster¡¯s long, sickly forearms were upon the edge of rock, ready to hoist itself out of the water ¡ª

    The orb vanished.

    They were plunged into darkness.

    ¡°TOAD!¡± Melena screamed.

    ¡°JOE!¡± Toad bellowed, groping for the mug at his hip. ¡°Turn it back on! TURN IT BACK ON!¡±

    ¡°I ¡ª I ¡ª¡± Joe sounded as if he were hyperventilating. Water sloshed onto the curve of rock and Toad could hear water dripping. He threw the rocks blindly. With an angry hiss, he knew one had hit its mark, but the monster was coming closer, its gurgle growing shallow and quick with excitement; Melena clutched him, sobbing into his ear.

    Something swooshed past, ruffling Toad¡¯s hair, and a sudden blaze of fire illuminated the lake; Toad stumbled backward, nearly falling on top of Melena. The creature had been less than a foot from him. It shrieked as the fire licked its skin and Hazel swooped past its head. But the fire was gone as soon as it had appeared, leaving them in inky blackness. Hazel breathed fire again and again, forcing the monster to duck, swiping its arms blindly.

    ¡°Quick!¡± Toad gripped the sides of the tunnel and slowly began to climb the steep slope, slipping backward every other step, Melena just ahead of him. Bright light momentarily flashed into the tunnel every time Hazel flamed, but Toad couldn¡¯t tell if they had increased their distance or not; he dug his nails into the tunnel¡¯s smooth walls and inched upward. Behind them, Hazel roared and water splashed, the creature¡¯s shrieks murderous and tripled in volume from the echoes. After what seemed an eternity, they stumbled through the tunnel¡¯s entrance, back into the criss-cross section of openings.

    ¡°HAZEL!¡±

    With a whoosh, Hazel shot back up the tunnel.

    Toad grabbed Melena¡¯s hand and they ran through the impenetrable darkness, bouncing off stone walls in their haste to get as far away as possible. He didn¡¯t have a clue where he was going; all that mattered was Melena¡¯s sweating hand clamped in his own ¡ª that they run, run, run ¡ª

    With a pained cry and a startled screech from Hazel, Melena¡¯s hand was wrenched from his and Toad skidded to a stop, spinning around, chest heaving.

    ¡°Melena ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I tripped,¡± said Melena. ¡°I think ¡­ I think I¡¯m okay.¡±

    Toad reached out his arms, waving them through the air, trying to find her. His right hand collided with her skull.

    ¡°Ow!¡±

    ¡°Sorry!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she repeated, her voice shaking. Her trembling hand found his and she rose to her feet, but moments later she let out another pained gasp.

    ¡°What? What is it?¡±

    ¡°I think I twisted my ankle.¡±

    Toad groaned. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have been running ¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± though with every ¡®okay¡¯, Toad heard the waver in her voice grow. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡±

    ¡°Can you walk?¡±

    ¡°I think so. Anyway, I ¡ª I don¡¯t think it¡¯s following us.¡±

    At her words, Hazel blew sparks from her nostrils; the orange glow allowed Toad a short glimpse of Melena, pale and terrified, eyes wide, Hazel poised on her shoulders, before they again returned to darkness.

    Toad glared down at the mug at his hip, though he couldn¡¯t see him.

    ¡°Some light would be nice right about now.¡±

    When the mug didn¡¯t reply, Toad tapped him on the cheek. ¡°Joe?¡±

    ¡°Joe?¡± Melena asked quietly. ¡°Joe, are you okay?¡±

    The mug shuddered against Toad¡¯s hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay to be scared, Joe,¡± Melena continued and Toad felt her shift her weight off her ankle. He gripped her elbow to help. ¡°We¡¯re all scared.¡±

    Joe expelled a shaky breath and a moment later the tunnel they stood in was illuminated; a much smaller orb floated over their heads.

    Toad immediately looked around them, but the creature was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Thanks Joe. That¡¯ll help a ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Cast me out!¡± Joe cried, his marble eyes squeezed shut.

    Toad looked down, startled.

    ¡°I am a disgrace! I am a coward!¡± Joe¡¯s eyes flew open; they were brimming with tears. ¡°Joe told Master Toad to leave him outside! I am useless! I am a sham! Cast me out, Master Toad! Cast me out, I say! Joe is unworthy of you!¡±

    The orb flickered, but Toad hardly noticed it. He untied the mug from his belt loop, bringing the mug up to his face. ¡°What¡¯re you going on about? You just panicked. We all panicked.¡±

    ¡°Not Hazel!¡± Joe wailed miserably.

    ¡°She¡¯s a dragon,¡± Toad argued. ¡°They don¡¯t do scared.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s actually quite terrified of cats,¡± said Melena with a small smile as Hazel cocked her head at the trembling mug. ¡°Kittens are her worst nightmare. Cheer up, Joe. You brought the light back. No harm done.¡±

    Toad didn¡¯t agree with this, but felt it better, considering Joe¡¯s state, to keep his thoughts to himself.

    Joe heaved back quaking sobs. ¡°Master Toad and m¡¯lady will not ¡­ abandon Joe for his folly?¡±

    ¡°Abandon you?¡± Toad repeated, thrown for a loop. ¡°You mad? Never.¡±

    Melena nodded fervently and the orb seemed to glow a bit brighter.

    ¡°Now,¡± said Toad, looking around them. ¡°Where are we?¡±

    An uneasy silence settled over them.

    ¡°There are supposed to be openings to the caves all over Dunthur,¡± said Melena in a would-be-calm voice that fooled no one. ¡°If we keep moving, we¡¯ll ¡­ we¡¯ll probably run into one.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Toad, latching onto the idea. ¡°That¡¯s right. That¡¯s all we need to do. We¡¯ll be outta here in no time.¡±

    Melena limped forward, grimacing and Toad quickly took her elbow, but she shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad. Really. I¡¯m okay.¡±

    Before skeletons and nightmarish monsters, the caves had been fun and beautiful. Now Toad¡¯s heart hammered with fear, shoulders tense as knots. The sudden sound of dripping water had them both freezing, scrunching up close together, fists raised, staring into the darkness. During these moments, Joe squeezed his eyes shut and recited in whispers random bits from the Dragon Book of Dragons. It seemed to work; the orb would flicker dangerously, but stay. Toad had never been more grateful to have stolen Joe than he was now. Torches would have burned out long ago.

    There were no weapons in the caves. No sticks or clubs, so Toad filled his pockets with whatever pebble and rock he came upon.

    The tunnels went on for ages, as if a giant worm had carved its underground home eons ago. They never came upon one of Toad¡¯s scratched Xs, though they both kept an eye out for them. It felt to Toad that they had been walking for hours. They were forced to stop and rest when Melena¡¯s ankle grew too painful. Finally, she was forced to lean heavily upon Toad as they progressed, slowing them to a snail¡¯s pace. Hunger wasn¡¯t even a thought anymore; Toad¡¯s stomach had long given up. At least the periodic pool of water they passed kept their thirst at bay. The terror of the monster had dissipated somewhat, replaced now with the gnawing sickness that they would be lost underground forever.

    ¡°Tell me about your dad,¡± said Melena, her voice strained with pain and exhaustion.

    ¡°My dad?¡± asked Toad, surprised.

    ¡°Yes. Tell me about him. What¡¯s he like?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Toad cast his mind around. Somehow the stories that had always filled his chest with a warm glow were difficult to conjure up while trapped in the horror of the caves. ¡°He¡¯s ¡­ built like a bear. Wilson once told me how he saw my dad pick up a boulder all on his own and throw it five yards. Hey ¡ª he woulda had that old witch¡¯s wagon out of the mud in two seconds!¡±

    Melena¡¯s laugh was breathy. ¡°I¡¯d think so.¡±

    ¡°And then one time my dad showed Lynch something he¡¯d gotten from a huge treasure hoard ¡ª a human skull made out of pure gold with diamonds fixed in its eye sockets and rubies for teeth.¡±

    ¡°I say, Master Toad, your father is quite the noble pirate!¡± Joe commended. ¡°Why, not many treasure hoards can boast such exquisite finds as that!¡±

    ¡°I know, I can¡¯t wait to see it!¡± said Toad, but then a cold drop of water landed on the top of his head, extinguishing the happy ember in his chest: he¡¯d never see it or his father if he didn¡¯t get out of these caves.

    Toad had a feeling that Melena could sense his sudden dreary switch for the arm around his neck tightened momentarily. ¡°We¡¯ll get out,¡± she assured him. ¡°And you¡¯ll go on so many adventures with your father.¡±

    Toad felt a smile tug at his lips.

    ¡°And you¡¯ll find Miles ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Milo.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the one,¡± Toad laughed.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a hard name to remember,¡± Melena scolded him lightly. ¡°But maybe if he¡¯d had a more original one like yours, he¡¯d ¡ª what is it?¡± For Toad had suddenly jerked to a stop. He raised a hand and Melena fell silent. Hazel swiveled her head, smoke curling from her nostrils, and peered around their ankles. They were in another large cavern, the orb¡¯s light not reaching the distant, dark edges. He heard it again in the silence: the slipping tread of feet ¡­ a low throated croak.

    ¡°It¡¯s found us,¡± Toad whispered, his blood running cold.

    Whether it had tracked them by sound or smell, he didn¡¯t know, but there was no mistaking the soft hiss that reached them through the darkness.

    ¡°What do we do?¡± Melena whispered back. ¡°I can¡¯t run.¡±

    At Toad¡¯s hip Joe began to mutter in a frenzied undertone: ¡°The Tri-Horned Yellowbelly can breathe fire up to twenty yards but only reaches two yards in length. Dragon book of Dragons, third edition¡­¡±

    ¡°What do we do?¡± Melena repeated as a string of gurgles echoed off the cavern¡¯s walls.

    Toad looked wildly around. There had to be somewhere they could hide, somewhere ¡­

    A sickly white leg slipped into the pool of light cast from the orb. The air in Toad¡¯s lungs seemed to freeze. Hazel scooted in front of them, her little chest expanding ¡ª

    Toad dug into his pocket, pulling one of the rocks he¡¯d found and tossed them across the cavern in the opposite direction. They dinged loudly in the silence. At once the creature swung its flat face toward the sound, hinged jaw working. Holding their breath, they watched as it slowly slipped toward the other side of the cavern toward the sound. They inched backward, not daring to breath.

    Without warning Hazel shot into the air, the flap of her wings sounding like the cracking of sails in a high wind, and the creature let out a pronounced croak.

    ¡°Hazel ¡ª what are you ¡ª¡± Toad wanted to throttle her.

    But the dragon turned in the air and was flying down a narrow side passage, speeding into the darkness.

    They hurried after her in an awkward half-lunge, like contestants in a three-legged race. There was no denying the creature had heard them. Its feet slapped upon the cold cave floor, its lungs wheezing.

    They turned a corner and a bright circle of light that had nothing to do with the floating orb dazzled Toad¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°The exit!¡± Melena cried as Hazel¡¯s sharp little face peeked back at them through the small opening.

    Something swiped across Toad¡¯s back and he pushed Melena forward. He spun, his vision suddenly filled with sharp teeth and long arms. He kicked wildly and the creature recoiled, its nails raking down his arm. Melena shouted ¡°TOAD!¡± He turned and jumped for the hole as a skeletal arm shot after him; he landed with a painful umph on Melena. They scrambled backwards, away from the exit, away from the grasping hand, but the moment sunlight touched the creature¡¯s white skin, it let out a horrible scream and receded back within the gloom.

    Toad¡¯s lungs heaved, Melena panted beside him, and all of Hazel¡¯s tense attention was trained upon the dark hole. They could hear it, just out of sight, hissing and spitting ¡ª Thank Hickory it wasn¡¯t night. Toad shakily stood, helping Melena to her feet.

    ¡°Come on,¡± he said, voice trembling as badly as the rest of him. He wanted to get as far away as possible from the cave¡¯s opening before nightfall.

 Agatha

    They settled in a meadow and Toad and Hazel made the fastest fire yet. Toad had the creeping suspicion that the cave monster may venture out at night and enter their camp, so he snapped a heavy branch from a tree to use as a makeshift club. Hazel caught them two large rats that they roasted over the crackling flames and Melena, with her foot propped up on a mossy rock, flipped through her potion book.

    ¡°I think that tree over there is a foxelm,¡± she said, pointing. ¡°I can use the sap to reduce the swelling.¡±

    They rose early and the sticky, red sap Toad had gathered for Melena had done the trick. She could walk. It was impossible to pinpoint their location on the map ¡ª they could have shot out anywhere in Dunthur. But they refused to let this trample their spirits.

    Two down, Toad kept repeating as they made their way through fields of tall grass. Three to go.

    ¡°Look! A road!¡±

    Toad followed Melena¡¯s pointing finger and his heart fluttered.

    ¡°That must mean a town¡¯s close by!¡± Melena cheered. ¡°We might even be able to catch a buggy!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve changed your tune about hijacking,¡± Toad observed with a grin.

    ¡°I see nothing wrong with efficiency,¡± Melena replied, primly, making Toad laugh.

    The air was crisp with the arrival of autumn and the wind whipped about them; Toad kept having to brush his fringe out of his eyes. The rocky terrain smoothed over with grassy slopes and on one crystal clear afternoon, they crested a hill to see a town nestled down below in the crook of a valley.

    Licklade, as the town turned out to be called, was weather-beaten and full of cotton-haired shepherds. It didn¡¯t take long before they found a suitable inn ¡ª the Soggy Dog. Toad wrinkled his nose at the heavy smell of pipe smoke and stewed cabbage.

    ¡°What can I do for you?¡± asked a curvy woman behind the bar.

    ¡°Do you have any open rooms?¡± asked Melena, pulling her leather money pouch from her knapsack.

    Toad sidled away from the bar, toward a pair of ancient men immersed in a furious battle of chess. He watched as one man chewed upon his pipe in furrowed concentration. One hand hovered uncertainly over a knight before shifting to a pawn ¡ª

    ¡°Liverwort? I don¡¯t want liverwort!¡±

    The man jerked so badly at the cry of indignation that two pieces clattered across the board. He swiveled in his chair, brandishing his cane, and bellowed, ¡°Blast you, Birdie! Can¡¯t you keep quiet!¡±

    But Birdie didn¡¯t hear or perhaps she was too enraged herself to notice. She sat slumped in her chair, woolen shawl wrapped tight about her frame, glaring daggers. Toad saw, on the table between Birdie and her companion, five stacks of brightly colored cards.

    ¡°Ooooh, they¡¯re playing Bloodroot and Toadstools!¡± Melena had reappeared by his side. She was staring at the colored cards with great enthusiasm.

    ¡°Bloodroot and what?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t heard of it? It¡¯s a potion memory game. I used to play it all the time back in the orphanage ¡ª that¡¯s what got me interested in brewing. What you do is ¡ª¡±

    But just then Birdie¡¯s opponent let out a shrill cackle that made everyone in the room flinch.

    ¡°But I do, Birdie,¡± the spotted woman shrieked.

    ¡°Oh, toadstools!¡± Birdie cursed.

    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve finished that pestilential game you can clear out and let people with a proper sport have some concentration!¡± the wizened chess player growled.

    ¡°Go boil your brains, Barney!¡± Birdie snapped. She turned back to her spotted friend. ¡°I want another go!¡±

    Barney quivered with indignation and Toad was quite looking forward to witnessing a full-on fight between the wrinkled players, but Melena tugged on his elbow.

    ¡°Room 3B is open,¡± she said, handing him a key. ¡°And I¡¯ve got 4B.¡±

    ¡°How much did that cost?¡±

    ¡°A handful of gorents won¡¯t matter much when Mr. Owl pays me,¡± Melena said brightly. She turned and headed for the stairs. ¡°Anyway, I think we¡¯ve earned it.¡±

    Her words made Toad¡¯s insides twist unexpectedly. ¡°I can sleep on the floor,¡± he offered quickly.

    Melena laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, Toad.¡±

    Room 3B was very small with a dresser, mirror and bed. Toad wrinkled his nose at the flowery patchwork quilt across the mattress before striding across the hall to peek into Melena¡¯s room.

    ¡°I wanna trade blankets.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± asked Melena, placing her bag on her own bed.

    ¡°Mine¡¯s all girlie,¡± he said with irritation.

    Hazel clambered up onto the bed and curled into a tight ball on the pillow. She heaved a deep sigh, her eyes closing. Melena smirked.

    ¡°Nope, I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°Ah! Come on!¡±

    ¡°Think of it as character building,¡± she teased. Melena plopped down on the bed and kicked off her boots, wiggling her toes.

    Preferring to not look at the repulsive quilt in his own room any longer than he had to, Toad untied Joe from his belt and put him on the dresser and his fingers came in contact with a spider¡¯s web. ¡°Ugh. Cobwebs.¡±

    Melena got to her feet, her eyes on the dresser.

    ¡°Look at it,¡± she said, peering at the top drawers. ¡°It¡¯s covered.¡±

    Toad hadn¡¯t noticed, but now that he looked again, the entire dresser and mirror above it were draped with thin webs.

    Melena humphed. ¡°You¡¯d think they¡¯d dust once in a while.¡± She made to swipe them clear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe cried suddenly. ¡°¡¯Tis rude to ruin Miss Agatha¡¯s home!¡±

    ¡°Agatha? Who¡¯s Agatha?¡± asked Melena.

    ¡°What home?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°Miss Agatha¡¯s home,¡± said Joe, sounding as if this was as obvious as the sky being blue. ¡°Horribly offensive¡­¡± he muttered, nettled. ¡°What she must be thinking. I did not condone their actions, Miss Agatha!¡± Joe cried, eyes swiveling upward. Toad and Melena followed his gaze. Set over the dresser, on the mirror¡¯s fancy frame, was a vivid orange spider. The spider slowly slid down on a gossamer strand and stopped before their eyes, swaying gently.

    It was the strangest spider Toad had ever seen. It was as large and fat as a marble, its abdomen bright orange with lacy black lines that curved and swirled on its back. The spider¡¯s thin, long legs were orange as well, with black stripes.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°Master Toad, Lady Melena, Hazel¡± ¡ª Hazel grunted in her sleep ¡ª ¡°I have the great pleasure to introduce Miss Agatha,¡± said Joe, his voice at his most impressive baritone.

    They stared at the spider. She swung upside down, her eight black eyes glinting in the late afternoon sunlight. Then, very suddenly, she lifted one leg and waved it in what was unmistakably half a handshake.

    Awkwardly, Toad and Melena waved back.

    ¡°How d¡¯you know her?¡± Toad asked Joe out of the corner of his mouth.

    ¡°We met long ago,¡± said Joe with a nostalgic sigh. ¡°I was so terribly lonely and Miss Agatha visited me to keep me company.¡±

    Without warning, Agatha slid down her thread toward Joe, but she stopped short and took a few scuttles back up, creating a small loop. Without hesitation, as Toad and Melena watched, she slipped through the loop ¡ª and disappeared.

    Toad gaped at the swaying noose, still dangling from the mirror¡¯s frame. Agatha was gone. Erased from sight. Erased from the air.

    ¡°W-what happened?¡± Melena cried. ¡°Where¡¯d she go?¡±

    ¡°Probably to the garden. Miss Agatha is very fond of gardens.¡± Joe caught the stunned looks on their faces and chuckled. ¡°My apologies. Ol¡¯ Joe forgets that her means of travel startles those who don¡¯t expect it. Miss Agatha can do ¡­ tricks with her web. She calls it slipping.¡±

    ¡°Slippin¡¯?¡± Toad repeated, his eyes very round. ¡°She did that just now?¡±

    ¡°Quite.¡± Joe nodded. But he suddenly narrowed his marble eyes and, glancing out the sun-soaked window, said rather shrewdly, ¡°She shouldn¡¯t startle people, though.¡±

    ¡°But what is slipping?¡± Melena asked Joe.

    ¡°How she travels,¡± Joe explained. ¡°Coming here. Going there. She can move through space in the blink of an eye. Can go wherever she pleases.¡±

    ¡°Can move ¡­ through space?¡± Melena stopped short, speechless. Toad himself was floored by the idea. How could a spider possibly do something like that?

    ¡°How does she get back?¡± he asked.

    ¡°She makes another loop,¡± Joe said, as if it were obvious. Clearly he had seen Agatha do it so many times that the thrill had worn off. ¡°Ah! ¡ª she¡¯s back.¡±

    Toad and Melena spun around, searching wildly for the spider.

    Joe chortled again and jerked his eyes toward Hazel.

    Melena gasped.

    Hazel blinked groggily at the three of them from her spot on the pillows. There, as if she had never left, was Agatha, atop Hazel¡¯s scaly head. As they watched, she tucked her numerous legs under her round body and settled down as if to take a nap. Hazel looked like a violent pustule had formed on her forehead.

    ¡°Blimey,¡± Toad breathed.

    Melena tore her eyes from the glittering spider and turned to Joe.

    ¡°She calls it slipping?¡± Melena asked, eying the mug with a mixture of nervousness and suspicion.

    ¡°Quite.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a spider doing that before,¡± Melena pressed. ¡°Or being able to talk.¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t,¡± Joe agreed amicably.

    ¡°But how ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Not my place if she doesn¡¯t want to say,¡± said Joe with an annoying air of diplomacy. ¡°She¡¯ll tell you if she likes.¡±

    There was an awkward silence in the room as Toad and Melena stood by the web-covered dresser.

    ¡°Say ¡­ would ya like a bite to eat?¡± Toad finally offered.

    ¡°Would love to,¡± Melena agreed quickly. As fast as they could, they left the room and hurried down to the ground floor. Birdie and Barney were gone, along with their partners, but the pipe smoke lingered.

    In the dwindling light, the Soggy Dog filled with diners and there was a cheerful clattering of forks on plates. They ordered a scrumptious meal that made Toad feel like royalty, after living off field rats and mushrooms.

    ¡°How can that spider do that?¡± Melena asked suddenly.

    ¡°How can Joe be Joe?¡± Toad shrugged. Now that he was warm and full, he didn¡¯t care much about the odd spider. ¡°Just the way they are, I s¡¯pose.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense,¡± Melena snapped. ¡°Joe was created. Somebody made him. That spider just ¡ª just ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Slips,¡± Toad finished for her. He laughed. ¡°Freakiest thing I ever saw. Even freakier than Joe.¡± He grinned at Melena. ¡°Betcha want my room now.¡±

    <hr>

    Toad had the best sleep in what felt like a lifetime and woke to find a heavy, gray sky pressed against his window. Tousle-haired and yawning, he knocked on Melena¡¯s door. When she didn¡¯t answer, he trotted down the steps, intending to get a cup of tea while he waited for her to rise, but she was already there, sitting at a table, a steaming pot by her elbow. Her potions book was open and she was writing on a piece of paper.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Hazel?¡± he asked, pouring himself a cup.

    ¡°In the garden out back,¡± said Melena, scribbling something on the list before her. She turned a page in her book. ¡°She likes digging up moles.¡±

    As Toad reached for a muffin, he glanced at the scribbles.

    ¡°What¡¯s all that?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to time our travels. I asked the proprietor what month it is and she said it¡¯s the middle of November. Incredible that we¡¯ve been on the road for over two months, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Toad grunted, eating his muffin.

    ¡°But we still need three more ingredients,¡± Melena continued. She pressed her pen¡¯s tip beside them in emphasis as she spoke. ¡°Talon, Mirg water, moonflower.¡±

    ¡°Piece o¡¯ cake,¡± said Toad.

    ¡°But just getting to these locations might take months!¡± said Melena pensively. ¡°And if we¡¯ve learned anything so far, it¡¯s that finding them will be just as difficult.¡±

    Instead of getting worked up, Toad chose another muffin.

    ¡°Getting to the Shards is going to prove very problematic,¡± Melena continued, biting her lip.

    ¡°Yeah? Why¡¯s that?¡± asked Toad through his mouthful, still refusing point blank to get roped into Melena¡¯s anxiety.

    ¡°The Shards are a cluster of islands,¡± Melena explained, pulling her open book closer. ¡°I think our best hope is finding a fisherman who¡¯ll be willing to sail us to them, but Bartholomew says that though the fish are plentiful around the reefs, it¡¯s tricky sailing and most refuse to venture near them because of the rocs.¡±

    Toad snorted. ¡°People sure are wimps. What are they scared of a pigeon for?¡±

    Melena looked up at him.

    ¡°A roc isn¡¯t a pigeon,¡± she said.

    Toad grinned, lounging back in his chair.

    ¡°¡¯Course it is! I¡¯ve heard of ¡¯em. Little blue pigeons ¡ª wait, don¡¯t tell me, they shoot poison out of their eyes or something like that.¡± He laughed, taking another bite of muffin.

    ¡°Toad,¡± said Melena very slowly, as if she were speaking to someone foreign, ¡°are you thinking of rauk pigeons? Little blue birds?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Toad dismissively.

    ¡°No, Toad. We¡¯re talking about two different birds. A rauk pigeon is harmless. They¡¯re song birds. Mrs. Bell had one as a pet before Hazel ate it.¡±

    Melena turned her potions book around and pushed it toward him.

    ¡°This is a roc.¡±

    Toad looked down at the fancy drawing. He took in the sharp, curved beak, the wicked black talons, the enormous expanse of its wings. Beside the bird was a sketch of a grown man; he was tiny in comparison. For the first time in his life, Toad had the sudden desire to know how to read.

    ¡°What¡¯s that say?¡± he demanded, pointing at the passage next to the drawing.

    Melena turned the book back around and read aloud:

    ¡°The roc is the largest bird known to man with a wingspan of twenty-seven paces. They have been known to carry cattle for miles and even attack whales that surface for air. Though they can fly for months without pausing, they live only on the isolated islands known as the Shards. Their talons, hearts, and bones are potent in the Cauldron, but they are not commonly called for due to the bird¡¯s viciously protective nature. Though not common, enough tales of rocs attacking ships have surfaced to cause fear in the sailing community. However, the roc is only as dangerous as the fool who angers it. The wrath of the roc is unprecedented.¡±

    Melena stopped reading.

    Toad stared. ¡°We ain¡¯t doin¡¯ that.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are.¡±

    ¡°No, we ain¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°We are,¡± said Melena with force, slamming the book closed. ¡°Toad, we have to. We need one of their talons.¡±

    ¡°Why one of their talons?¡± Toad argued, gesturing at the closed book. ¡°What¡¯s so important about a talon? Why¡¯s it gotta be from a bleedin¡¯ bird the size of a bleedin¡¯ house?!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not that big,¡± said Melena, patiently. ¡°More like the size of a carriage.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s no better!¡± said Toad loudly. ¡°They¡¯re gonna slash us to pieces! They could probably feed us to their chicks!¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± said Melena, still with infuriating calmness. ¡°We just have to be careful.¡±

    Toad wasn¡¯t comforted. The shock of discovering that his pigeon was large enough to carry off a draft horse was proving difficult to overcome. Instead of speaking, he looked back down at the book.

    ¡°¡®The wrath of the roc is unprecedented,¡¯¡± he recited. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    Melena shifted slightly in her chair.

    ¡°It means that rocs hold very strong grudges,¡± she answered delicately.

    Toad frowned. ¡°What d¡¯you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°It means that we¡¯ll need to be careful about how we get hold of one of their talons,¡± she said, not looking at him. ¡°Rocs never forget a thief. If we steal a talon, the bird will chase us until it kills us.¡±

    For a moment, Toad was too stunned to speak. This news was more startling than learning of their size.

    ¡°B-but how are we gonna get one then?¡± he said, flustered. ¡°Ask it?¡± He took on a polite voice. ¡°¡¯Scuse me? Pardon me? Can we have one of your talons, pretty please?¡±

    Melena looked at him steadily. ¡°I think that may be exactly what we¡¯ll have to do.¡±

    ¡°But ¡ª¡± Toad was highly alarmed now. ¡°But those birds have got to be all over the Shards. There are probably talons littering the place! Why can¡¯t we just pick one up?¡±

    ¡°We mustn¡¯t do that,¡± said Melena firmly. ¡°A roc knows. I don¡¯t know how, but if we just pick one up, sooner or later, we¡¯ll be tracked down ¡ª Bartholomew says so. We have to find a roc and convince it to give us its talon. And anyway, I doubt talons would just be scattered all over the place ¡ª feathers more likely. No, talons will be in their nests.¡±

    This was too much for Toad.

    ¡°There¡¯s gotta be another way.¡±

    ¡°There isn¡¯t.¡±

    Toad fell silent, staring at Melena¡¯s book, wishing it would start talking like Joe and tell them some other way. Melena too was quiet.

    ¡°I gotta get some air,¡± said Toad finally.

    Melena nodded and returned to her list. As Toad exited the Soggy Dog, he was so flustered that he accidentally bumped into a man.

    ¡°¡¯Scuse,¡± Toad grunted.

    The man didn¡¯t reply, stepping past Toad and into the inn.

    Toad put his hands in his pockets and shivered. He turned left and headed down a cracked sidewalk. Birds the size of houses ¡­ what had he gotten himself into?

 The Cabin in the Wood

    Melena allowed herself to feel sorry for Toad for just a few minutes before getting back to business. He was going to find out what they were facing eventually, though she didn¡¯t enjoy bursting his bubble. She scribbled down Blackens on her growing list and tapped her chin, thinking. The Blackens were giving her the most trouble. How in the world were they going to survive such freezing temperatures, especially in winter? They would need supplies, of that she was sure. Wool caps, leather gloves, thick socks, coats, scarves.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been gone longer than usual, Milo. Want a cuppa?¡±

    Melena¡¯s head snapped upward. She twisted in her seat. A young man with windswept hair stood at the counter. He removed his black gloves and smiled at the woman.

    ¡°No thanks, but I wouldn¡¯t say no to a slice of that apple pie,¡± he replied.

    The woman beamed and bustled about as the man took a distant seat.

    Melena¡¯s heart thundered. He was young ¡ª no more than twenty. Melena quickly did the math. A seven year difference ¡ª that wasn¡¯t far-fetched. At ten, Milo could have easily taken charge of the dangerous situation and hurried her from their burning home. He would have known the fire would kill them. He would have known how to get out.

    ¡°There you go,¡± said the woman, placing a slice of pie before him, a dollop of cream on top.

    He gave the woman a warm smile of thanks and Melena¡¯s heart nearly exploded. His hair was blond, like hers. They even had similar noses ¡ª long and straight.

    Melena sat rooted in her chair, her mind whizzing. Should she talk to him? Should she dare ask him for his last name? If only the woman would say it!

    He ate his pie in what felt like seconds and rose, swinging his long coat back over his shoulders and turning up the collar against the chill. Melena watched as he waved a goodbye to the woman as she wiped down the bar, and strode out the door.

    In a flash, Melena was on her feet. She couldn¡¯t dawdle now, wasting time questioning the woman. She snatched up her list, stuffed her book into her knapsack, swung it over one shoulder, and rushed out of the Soggy Dog. She spied the man¡¯s retreating back easily and hurried after him. He rounded a corner and Melena sped up. She was running as she took it and nearly jumped out of her skin.

    ¡°Oh! Hazel!¡± Melena gasped, clutching her chest. Hazel swished her green tail, sweeping crumpled brown leaves, and yowled happily. ¡°Come on ¡ª¡± She scooped up Hazel and rushed onward.

    Milo walked steadily through the town, Melena far enough behind to keep him in view. He never once looked back, even when he left the cobbled streets for a dirt road. Melena hesitated as he walked under the canopy of a thick wood. Did he live there? she wondered, before hurrying after him.

    He walked down the dirt road through the trees for so long that Melena was growing tired from carrying Hazel. She strongly considered shouting out to him and questioning him right then and there, when he stopped suddenly and looked about him. Without thinking, Melena ducked behind a wide oak tree and felt her face burn in embarrassment. What was she doing, hiding from him? If he¡¯d seen her duck for cover just now, he must think her insane. But apparently, he hadn¡¯t seen her or heard her. He stepped off the road and plowed into the trees. Melena scampered after him.

    The trees were so thick and low and the sky so cloudy from threatening rain, that it was very dark in the woods. It was difficult to keep him in view with his black coat, but just when she was sure she had lost him, a light flared up ahead. Before her was a small cabin, squeezed between a grove of cedars. One window was lit, and as she watched so was another.

    Why would he live so far from town? Now that she had come to a stop, she stood nervously outside the pool of light from the windows. What if she was wrong? What if he wasn¡¯t her brother, just as all the other Milos she had tracked down in Hickory hadn¡¯t been?

    But she felt differently about this one, for some inexplicable reason. Her heart was swollen with a sureness ¡ª with a confidence ¡ª she had never felt before.

    She took a great, shuddering breath. ¡°Are you ready, Hazel?¡±

    Hazel blinked. Melena squared her shoulders and walked up the front steps. She knocked on the door.

    It opened rather quickly, much sooner than she had expected and his sudden appearance made her take a startled step back. He was much taller than she was.

    ¡°Yes?¡± he asked.

    Melena stared at him. She wasn¡¯t ready. She couldn¡¯t ask him!

    He frowned at her. ¡°Do you want something?¡±

    ¡°Milo?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he said slowly, clearly confused.

    She swallowed with difficulty; her throat was as dry as parchment. ¡°I¡¯m Melena. Melena Snead. My brother¡¯s been missing for ten years. His name is Milo.¡±

    The man stilled as if he¡¯d suddenly been turned to marble. His eyes were exactly like hers. The exact shade of blue.

    ¡°Melena?¡± he whispered.

    ¡°Yes!¡± she cried, tears welling. ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°You ¡ª you found me!¡± Milo stammered. He looked utterly stunned. Dumbfounded, he actually took a staggered step back. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you ¡ª everywhere ¡ª and you ¡ª you found me!¡± His face broke into a radiant smile that took Melena¡¯s breath away. Arms were suddenly wrapped around her; he smelled of sandalwood and lavender. Hazel squirmed between them and Milo quickly released her, holding her at arms length. ¡°Come in here ¡ª let me get a look at you!¡±

    Melena found herself steered into a bright sitting room.

    ¡°You look just as I thought you would!¡± said Milo and Melena blushed under his bright gaze.

    ¡°Sit! Sit! I was just making tea.¡± He pushed her toward the sofa and hurried to a side kitchen. He kept shooting looks back at her as if expecting her to vanish. ¡°And your pet must have one, too,¡± Milo said, pulling cups from a shelf.

    Melena was too numb with shock ¡ª too drunk with happiness ¡ª to argue that she¡¯d had more than enough tea all ready. She sat on the couch, staring at him, following his every movement, memorizing every detail.

    ¡°Sugar? Milk?¡±

    Melena nodded, her throbbing heart blocking her windpipe.

    ¡°I just ¡ª I just can¡¯t believe it. Look at me! I¡¯m in shock!¡± Milo laughed, holding out a hand that shook visibly. He picked up a tea tray and set it down on the coffee table before her. ¡°I was starting to lose hope. I suppose we kept missing each other,¡± he added merrily, handing her a cup and laying one out for Hazel.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°It makes sense now,¡± said Melena, her own excitement making it hard to hold her own cup still. She had never been so happy. Never before had she felt such immeasurable joy. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking in Hickory and all this time you¡¯ve been here in Licklade! Why did you leave Hickory?¡±

    Why did you leave me?

    Milo cradled the cup in his hands and sat down in the chair opposite her. Hazel sniffed the tea and lapped at it. Milo was silent for so long that Melena feared she had upset him.

    ¡°Was it ¡ª was it because of the fire?¡± she asked, quietly. ¡°It must have been much harder for you. You ¡ª you probably remember it so vividly. I hardly remember a thing, but you ¡­ you would ¡­ Mom and Dad ¡­ dying ¡­¡±

    Milo looked pained, but he managed a smile and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

    ¡°I got ¡­ a little messed up,¡± he admitted softly. ¡°I had to get away. Can you understand that? Can you forgive me ¡­ for that?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Melena cried. ¡°I don¡¯t blame you. They took good care of me at St. Brenda¡¯s.¡±

    Milo looked relieved and nodded at her tea. ¡°Too much sugar?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Melena had forgotten all about her tea and quickly took a sip. ¡°No ¡ª it¡¯s perfect, thank you.¡±

    Hazel had consumed her entire cup and was breathing deeply on Melena¡¯s lap, fast asleep. Melena took another gulp of tea, more out of nervous energy than a desire for the drink. It was different from the tea at the Soggy Dog. There was something almost floral about it, though she couldn¡¯t pinpoint what it was.

    ¡°But ¡ª¡± Melena gathered her courage to finally ask what she had always longed to ¡°¡ª but why didn¡¯t you return to St. Brenda¡¯s? I understand you needing to get away, but they would have told you that the Bells adopted me ¡ª they would have ¡ª they would ¡ª¡±

    Why was she so tired? Why couldn¡¯t she keep her eyes open? Milo blurred as he slipped out of focus and her cup of half-drunk tea tumbled from her limp hand.

    Melena was aware of a steady ticking sound; a monotonous rhythm that put her in mind of a pendulum swinging back and forth. Back and forth. It was easier to listen to that steady ticking than open her eyes. But now that her mind was slowly grinding into action, a dull, aching throb began between her ears. With more effort than it should have taken, she pried her eyes open.

    She was in a bed. A soft, warm bed. Curtains were drawn back from a small gilded window. It was very dark outside and she could hear the sound of rain pattering against the glass.

    Melena sat up tenderly. Her very bones ached. With a start, she realized that Hazel was curled into a tight ball by her elbow, small chest rising and falling in slumber. The room was clear of clutter and a bed of glowing coals in the fireplace illuminated a stretch of floor. The ticking sound continued and Melena¡¯s eyes searched out a clock, hanging on the opposite wall.

    A door that she had not noticed clicked and swung open.

    ¡°Did you walk all the way here from Hickory?¡± Milo laughed, the sound musical to her ears. ¡°You were practically dead on your feet.¡± He stepped into the room and placed something down on a nearby table. ¡°Gotten dark in here. Looks like it¡¯s going to be another rainy day in Licklade,¡± he added with another careless laugh that made Melena¡¯s heart twang like an elastic band.

    Melena watched him stride to the fireplace to add more logs to the coals. He then lit a cluster of lamps. When he stepped back to her, the room was full of dancing light. Melena felt the heat from the flames upon her cheeks, chasing the chill of the room away. Hazel shifted and slept on.

    ¡°There! Much better. Are you by chance hungry?¡± Milo hurriedly picked up the wooden tray he¡¯d brought and held it out to her. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what you liked, so I fixed up some of everything.¡±

    Though Melena had not been at all hungry, the moment she looked at the tray in his hands, she felt a ravenous lurch in her abdomen. Plump sausages, glazed carrots, crispy, fried potato cakes, hunks of cranberry-nut bread, spice-scented doughnuts covered in chocolate sauce.

    She looked up, stunned.

    ¡°I like to cook,¡± Milo said with a small shrug. ¡°Though to be honest, I bought most of it in town. Hope you won¡¯t hold that against me.¡±

    Milo placed the tray on her lap.

    ¡°Oh ¡ª and don¡¯t forget this!¡± Milo lifted a pitcher and goblet from the tray. ¡°I make my own raspberry tea ¡ª very refreshing.¡± He poured a shimmering red liquid from the pitcher.

    Melena¡¯s fingers shook slightly as she took the goblet.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She was still reeling from finally finding her brother and did not know what to say. There was a painful yet wonderful ache in her chest.

    ¡°I have a few errands to run in town, so I¡¯ll let you eat,¡± said Milo.

    ¡°You have to go?¡± said Melena, startled. She wanted to talk. She wanted to learn everything about him. ¡°Now?¡±

    ¡°Eat and rest,¡± said Milo with his pleasant smile. ¡°I¡¯ll be back before you know it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll come with you ¡ª my friend is waiting for me in town.¡± Melena made to get out of bed; she had completely forgotten about Toad and her stomach twisted with guilt. ¡°He¡¯ll be furious when he realizes I left without telling him.¡±

    For a moment, Melena thought something passed over Milo¡¯s face at her words, but a second later, she was sure she had imagined it for he was smiling even more brightly than before.

    ¡°Tell me his name and where I can find him. I¡¯ll let him know where you are.¡±

    ¡°Oh, would you?¡± said Melena, grateful. She felt that she was coming down with something, her headache growing more persistent, the idea of tromping around Licklade unpleasant. ¡°We have rooms at the Soggy Dog. His name¡¯s Toad ¡ª yes, really. He¡¯s my age. Brown hair, stands on end like he¡¯s been in a hurricane. Could you let him come here, too? It¡¯s just ¡­ I agreed to help him with something ¡­ it¡¯s a long story.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll be happy to hear it when I get back. I¡¯ll find him,¡± said Milo. He gave her a cheerful nod, squeezed her shoulder, and left the room, closing the door behind him. A few moments later Melena heard the front door open and close.

    Melena beamed at the crackling fireplace, her heart like a glowing ember in her chest. She had found her brother, she was tucked away in a warm bed with delicious food, and Toad would soon be joining her. She would still help Toad find the potion ingredients for Mr. Owl ¡ª a promise was a promise after all ¡ª but he would understand her taking a short break from their travels. It had been ten years since she had last seen Milo. She wouldn¡¯t be able to just walk away again so soon. Toad would understand that.

    Not bothering with a fork, Melena swallowed a potato cake whole.

    Melena woke to find the wooden tray that she had placed on the table beside the bed still there. It was as dark as ebony outside the window and the rain sounded heavy upon the roof. She wondered, blearily, if Milo had returned with Toad yet, before helping herself to a few of the doughnuts she had not finished.

    It was odd how very hungry she was. Hazel had finally awoken, and blinking sleepily, she sniffed the doughnut in Melena¡¯s hand. Melena passed her a sausage.

    Tired of lying in bed, Melena thought she¡¯d explore the house while she waited for Milo and Toad to return, but the moment her feet touched the floor, her head spun, and her eyes drooped. Her energy vanished with the speed of air escaping a balloon. Melena sat down heavily on the bed, not understanding how she could be so tired after so many hours of sleep ¡­ or had she only slept for a few minutes? It was hard to tell.

    Even Hazel had abandoned the last of her sausage and was snoring softly.

    But I can¡¯t be sleepy, Melena thought dully, rubbing her forehead. Her head felt like it¡¯d been stuffed with wool. I just woke up.

    But had she? What time was it? She tried to look at the clock, but her eyes were so unfocused that its face was nothing more than a blurred circle. She was just so tired ¡­ a little sleep couldn¡¯t hurt ¡­ she¡¯d just rest ¡­ a little longer¡­

    Melena opened her eyes to weak sunlight. The pulsing beneath her skull was reduced to a dull ache, but her vision was worse than ever, as if a film lay over her eyes. Melena rubbed them roughly. Her bleary gaze landed upon the wooden tray. She rose automatically to retrieve it and stumbled. She felt terrible. Her limbs wouldn¡¯t stop trembling. Her throat seared as if she had swallowed fire.

    With heavy, awkward fingers, Melena grabbed a slice of cranberry-nut bread and tore at it feverishly. Her hunger was overpowering. Stuffing her mouth and filling her goblet with cool raspberry tea, she half turned and spotted Hazel curled up among the blankets.

    She was still asleep.

    ¡°¡¯azel,¡± Melena said through her mouthful, ¡°¡¯ake up.¡±

    Hazel didn¡¯t move.

    Melena, holding her goblet in one hand and the bread in the other, slowly shuffled to the bed, swaying like a drunkard. She kept blinking her eyes hard to clear the annoying film. What was wrong with her? She swallowed roughly.

    ¡°Hazel. Wake up.¡± Her voice came out as a rasp.

    With Melena¡¯s prodding finger, Hazel opened her eyes.

    ¡°Ha ¡ª Hazel?¡±

    Hazel¡¯s eyes were pale, a foggy gray instead of bright green. Her scales were dull and cracked, the edges a sickly white.

    Hazel stared up at Melena morosely and yowled softly.

    The cotton that filled Melena¡¯s brain vanished in an instant. She looked down at the goblet of shimmering tea and the hunk of bread, clutched in her quivering hands.

    Slowly, she raised the bread to her parched lips and took a tenuous bite. Though the urge to swallow was overwhelming, she chewed and let the flavored dough slide over her tongue, tasting it. The more she chewed, the more pronounced the astringent bitterness became.

    Icy chills ran down her back, making the hairs on her neck stand on end. With a start, she realized she was shaking as violently as if she had swum across a frozen pond.

    Milo was poisoning them.

 Snatched

    Toad was in a foul mood. The new found knowledge of their next ingredient had shaken him deeply. He slouched through Licklade¡¯s quaint town square, throwing dirty glares at passerby who went about their errands ¡ª in Toad¡¯s opinion ¡ª with obnoxious merriment. Though he tried to stop it, the drawing from All Things Potion kept flashing before his eyes. Needing something to shake the unease in his gut, Toad decided to track down Hazel. It took some time, but he eventually found the garden Melena had mentioned. But Hazel was nowhere to be seen. Standing amongst cabbages and tufty-leafed turnips, fat drops of rain splattered onto his nose. With a sharp scowl upward, Toad flipped up the collar of his coat, and dashed back to the Soggy Dog. The rain fell fast and hard and it did not take long before he was splashing through puddles, cold water soaking into his socks.

    He shook his coat free of rain and looked around the Soggy Dog. The table Melena had occupied earlier was empty. Figuring she was upstairs, he took the steps two at a time and entered her room only to find her absent there as well.

    ¡°Hey, Joe, where¡¯s Melena?¡± he asked the beer mug, who still sat upon Agatha¡¯s dresser.

    ¡°I have not seen m¡¯lady since she left for breakfast, Master Toad,¡± said Joe.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t come back up here?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Puzzled, Toad went back down the stairs and stood at the bar. ¡°Have you seen that girl I was with this morning?¡± he asked the woman. ¡°Always carrying ¡¯round a book. Got a really long braid. Was sittin¡¯ over there.¡± He pointed at the vacant table.

    The woman paused in cleaning a stein long enough to glance at the table in the corner. ¡°She walked out about an hour ago.¡±

    Toad felt a flare of annoyance. What was she doing wandering off without him?

    ¡°Did she say where she was going?¡±

    ¡°No. But she left right after Milo did. That¡¯s why I noticed.¡± The woman¡¯s eyes suddenly misted over. ¡°That man¡¯s a looker.¡±

    Toad froze. ¡°Milo?¡±

    The woman nodded.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Milo?¡±

    ¡°Just a fellow who appreciates good pies,¡± smiled the woman, picking up another glass to dry. ¡°He comes in every couple of months and is off again. Doesn¡¯t really mingle, Milo. The number of times I¡¯ve tried to ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s he live?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± the woman shrugged.

    ¡°What d¡¯you mean, you don¡¯t know!¡± Toad shouted, making the woman stare.

    ¡°¡¯Oo talkin¡¯ bou¡¯ da bloke, Milo?¡± A toothless man at the bar, who had clearly been eavesdropping, leaned closer.

    Toad spun around.

    ¡°You know where he lives?¡±

    ¡°Nah ¡ª bu¡¯ I guess id¡¯s in dem dere woods,¡± said the man, jutting a thumb over his shoulder. ¡°Seen him come in an¡¯ out buncha dimes.¡±

    Toad dashed to the door before skidding to a halt. Changing his mind, he raced back upstairs and grabbed Joe, before barreling back down to the floor below. The woman and toothless man stared in silence as he blew past them and rushed out the door into the rain, nearly banging head first into Barney the chess player as he crossed the street.

    ¡°Stupid, stupid, stupid,¡± Toad growled under his breath, bowing his head low against the heavy rain. ¡°When I get hold of her¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you upset, Master Toad?¡± Joe asked from inside Toad¡¯s coat.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m mad! Flounces off without any warning the moment some blockhead named Milo strolls by.¡±

    ¡°That blockhead might truly be her brother,¡± Joe pointed out.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that!¡± Toad fumed, stomping into a cold, muddy puddle, which only infuriated him further. ¡°We gotta deadline! We don¡¯t have time to track down every random Milo we see!¡±

    By the time he came across the road that led into the woods, he was soaked to the skin and more sour than a pickle. Thankfully, the trees were so thick overhead that little rain fell through the leaves. On the other hand, it was so dark that he could barely see.

    ¡°Joe, can you do that light thing again?¡±

    ¡°Certainly.¡±

    With a faint pop, a single glowing orb appeared over Toad¡¯s head and he plowed onward down the road, peering about him. But the more he walked with no sight of her, the more his anger frothed until finally he filled his lungs¡ª

    ¡°MELENA!!!!¡± he bellowed. Only his echoing voice answered him. Growling obscenities, he dug his watch from his pocket, one of his more successful thefts. He had been out in these dratted woods for hours and he hadn¡¯t once seen anything that resembled a house. Where did this Milo live?

    ¡°Perhaps she has returned to the inn?¡± Joe mused.

    Tired, freezing, and hungry, Toad agreed to head back. It was quite late when he finally stumbled into the Soggy Dog, feeling that the place was aptly named for blokes like him. With one swift look around the tables, he knew Melena was not present. He stomped up the stairs, leaving muddy pools of water in his wake, and flung open her door, ready to shout her dizzy.

    But she wasn¡¯t there.

    Toad stood on the threshold of 4B, waterlogged and utterly bewildered. Where was she? For the first time since that afternoon, his rage turned to fear. Even if she had found her brother ¡ª and really, how likely was that? ¡ª she wouldn¡¯t have left Toad. Not completely. She would have returned to tell him.

    Wouldn¡¯t she?

    Toad couldn¡¯t stand still. He spun on his heel and hurried back down the stairs. He¡¯d walk through those woods all night if he had to.

    <hr>

    Toad sneezed violently, and wondered dully if he was likely to catch his death. Toad used Joe¡¯s orb to light the road through the trees which had now become so muddy from the torrential rain that his feet kept threatening to slide out from under him. Shivering violently, Toad walked and walked and walked, but he never once came upon a house or another human. The forest was empty in every aspect of the word and Toad couldn¡¯t shake the growing unease that something had happened to her.

    When dawn broke, so did the rain. Exhausted and numb to the bone, Toad collapsed against a thick elm and tried to think. Should he return to the Soggy Dog ¡­ Perhaps Melena had come back on her own after all? Should he talk to the constables? Would they even listen to a street urchin like him? Just as he decided that his only option was to check the inn once more ¡ª if she still wasn¡¯t there, then he¡¯d enlist help ¡ª he heard the creak of wagon wheels. Toad jumped to his feet and peered through the elm¡¯s low-hanging branches.

    In the early morning gloom of the forest, a covered wagon was slowly wheeling down the dirt road. It stopped. Toad couldn¡¯t make out the man driving the mule, but he heard him crack the reins softly and the mule turned off the road, the wagon slipping between two thick cedars.

    Toad didn¡¯t know if the man in the wagon had anything to do with Melena or Milo, but it was his first sighting of anyone in the forest, so he hurried after it.

    The wagon pulled up before a tiny, two-story house, squeezed between the trees. No wonder Toad had missed it. It was mossy and overgrown with vines threatening to cover its front. Toad waited, half-hidden behind a cluster of scraggly bushes. The man jumped down from the wagon and entered the house.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening, Master Toad?¡± Joe asked. ¡°Have you found our missing lady?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Toad muttered. He groped inside his coat and pulled Joe out. ¡°This might be where Milo lives. D¡¯you think I should just knock? Ask him if he¡¯s seen a girl wanderin¡¯ around?¡±

    ¡°That would be logical,¡± Joe agreed.

    A light flared inside the house. Toad put Joe back inside his coat, marched past the wagon, and climbed the short flight of steps. He could hear shuffling footsteps within the cabin, but no voices; when he knocked, the shuffling ceased abruptly.

    A short moment later, the door opened and Toad was startled to see the same man he had bumped into when he¡¯d left the Soggy Dog the day before. He hadn¡¯t given him much notice then, but he was sure he was the same. Quite tall, blond, with a long, sharp nose and, as the barmaid had claimed, quite handsome. He was dressed in a black coat and was frowning at Toad.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Yes?¡± he asked, rather brusquely.

    Toad didn¡¯t know how best to begin so he decided to get straight to it.

    ¡°You Milo?¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes widened slightly and then narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re Toad.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Toad with a swooping sense of relief. If the bloke knew his name then Melena was here!

    Milo stepped aside; Toad bounded forward, his anger and worry at Melena¡¯s disappearance vanishing on the spot. The sitting room was small and had the stale smell of a place rarely used. He spun around, expecting Melena and Hazel to rush to him, greeting him.

    ¡°Where is she?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°Upstairs. She wasn¡¯t feeling well.¡±

    There was something odd about the way Milo was looking at him ¡­ something almost appraising in his expression, as if he were sizing Toad up, and it immediately annoyed him. So this was Melena¡¯s brother? Perhaps it was Milo¡¯s gruff greeting or the tactless staring, but Toad didn¡¯t feel much fondness for the man. He looked, as Bone would have put it, like a pompous prat.

    ¡°You goin¡¯ somewhere?¡± asked Toad, wanting Milo¡¯s eyes to focus on something else. Toad pointedly looked at the black suitcase beside the door. He hoped sincerely that Milo wasn¡¯t planning on joining them. The idea of dragging around an older version of Melena was daunting, to say the least, and Milo looked like the sort of bloke who¡¯d have plenty of opinions.

    ¡°Travel is good for catching up, don¡¯t you think?¡± said Milo cheerfully and Toad felt himself grimace, because yes, of course, Melena had invited him. Milo didn¡¯t seem to notice Toad¡¯s displeasure. His eyes swept over Toad again, lingering on his dripping, mud-spattered clothes. ¡°Were you out all night? You¡¯ll catch a cold like that. I¡¯ll make you a cup of tea.¡±

    Toad was about to say ¡°No thanks¡± and was mentally formulating possible arguments to convince Melena to leave Milo behind when there was a loud crash overhead. Toad¡¯s head jerked upward.

    ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°My cat knocking something over. Here,¡± said Milo, pressing a cup into Toad¡¯s hands.

    Inspiration struck.

    ¡°Hazel doesn¡¯t like cats. Sorry, mate,¡± Toad said with a pained grimace. ¡°It¡¯s real nice of you to offer to come with us, but I don¡¯t think things would work out with a cat trailin¡¯ along.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly,¡± said Milo at once. ¡°I won¡¯t bring the cat.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± said Toad, crestfallen. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ we¡¯ve got a lot of ground to cover and ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see my wagon?¡±

    Toad glared down at the tea cup in his hands, cursing inwardly. Milo was already taking charge. He didn¡¯t like that condescending smirk one bit; it reminded him too much of Bone¡¯s leer. It was one thing to convince Melena to risk her life getting Owl¡¯s ingredients when she had such a powerful reason to do it, but now that she¡¯d found her long lost brother, would she still be so willing? With a few well chosen words, Melena would be putty in Milo¡¯s hands, Toad was sure of it ¡­ though ¡­ could Toad rope Milo into the farce, too? If Toad knew one thing, it was that everyone wanted money. There was no reason why Owl¡¯s ¡®payment¡¯ shouldn¡¯t work just as well on Milo, and if Milo was game for finishing the job, then Melena would be, too.

    So why did Toad¡¯s gut twist with something that felt like envy when he looked back up at Milo, with his smooth hair and long legs and broad shoulders? Toad had been pushed aside more often than he¡¯d ever admit back with the Ramblers. Always the kid in a horde of adults, always the runt, always too small, too slow, too stupid. ¡°Go away, Toad.¡± He had a sudden vision of Milo and Melena laughing like bright starlings in the front of the wagon while he, Toad, sat hunched in the back, choking on dust kicked up by the wheels.

    ¡°I wanna talk to Melena.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s ill.¡±

    ¡°She was fine when I last saw her.¡±

    ¡°It came on suddenly. Must have been something she ate,¡± said Milo. He put a hand on Toad¡¯s shoulder, steering him toward the sofa. ¡°Why don¡¯t you have your tea and I¡¯ll see how she¡¯s doing? I¡¯ll tell her you¡¯re here.¡±

    A fresh wave of burning annoyance rose within him, but as Toad allowed Milo to lead him to the couch there came an agonized cry from upstairs. Toad swung around, his face jerking upward, the cup shattering onto the floor. ¡°What the ¡ª¡±

    Toad was yanked backward, his arm in a sudden vice-like grip, twisted behind his back; something sharp dug into his side and he was mentally thrown back to that dark library with Cutter¡¯s foul breath raking across his ear.

    ¡°Make a noise and I slip this between your ribs,¡± said Milo. ¡°Understood?¡±

    ¡°You bas ¡ª¡±

    Toad gasped as Milo pushed the knife deeper.

    ¡°Understood?¡±

    Biting his lip hard enough to taste blood, Toad nodded.

    ¡°Outside.¡±

    Toad did as he was told, eyes sweeping up the dark staircase as they passed, letting the sharp point of Milo¡¯s knife prod him out the door, down the steps and toward the wagon where Milo unlocked a heavy bolt and swung open the door. He pushed Toad hard, making him lurch and sprawl inside.

    ¡°This is turning out to be quite the pay day for me,¡± said Milo, pleased. ¡°Stay put while I fetch the other one.¡±

    ¡°YOU ¡ª¡±

    The wagon door shut on Toad, plunging him into darkness. That didn¡¯t stop him from shouting every foul word he could think of, pounding and kicking upon the door, but the lock stayed secure.

    It wasn¡¯t long before Toad heard the sound of movement outside. Milo was returning. He was going to open the door. If Toad ran out as he did, he¡¯d knock him flat.

    Just as he was readying himself, a tiny square of wood was pulled away, revealing a peephole.

    ¡°Move to the back or I cut off her thumb.¡±

    Grinding his teeth, Toad moved to the very back of the wagon. Milo¡¯s eyes crinkled as he smirked; the door swung open again and Melena was pushed inside. Her knapsack was flung in after her and the wagon door was locked once more. Toad pulled Joe out of his coat and set him on the ground.

    ¡°Lights, Joe.¡±

    At once an orb flickered into existence. Toad leapt forward again, banging his shoulder against the wagon door, though it still did not budge. The wagon lurched and Toad quickly steadied himself. They were moving.

    ¡°Melena ¡ª Help me!¡± Toad grunted, pushing with all his might against the door. ¡°Melena!¡±

    Toad spun around. She sat hunched on the floor, clutching Hazel to her. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks.

    If anything, the sight of a crying Melena made him madder. ¡°I need your help, Melena! How far is the nearest city?¡±

    ¡°W-what?¡± she asked.

    ¡°He¡¯s a Snatcher! He¡¯ll be taking us to the nearest city.¡± At Melena¡¯s confused stare, he added in mounting frustration, ¡°Snatchers! Don¡¯t you remember what I told you back when we met that fortuneteller ¡ª oh, forget it! I don¡¯t have time to explain. Get up here and help me!¡±

    Awkwardly, Melena got to her feet, Hazel still clutched in her arms. The moving wagon made her sway and Toad caught her before she fell.

    ¡°Melena ¡­¡± In the orb¡¯s light, Melena was pale, her eyes were pinpricks and she was trembling like a leaf caught in a high wind.

    From the floor, Joe demanded, ¡°Master Toad, what is this? Why are we here?¡±

    ¡°Melena¡¯s brother¡¯s a Snatcher.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not my ¡ª¡± Melena¡¯s words were cut off as she retched violently. Toad jumped backward. Without him holding her up, Melena¡¯s legs buckled and she slid to the floor. Her head drooped to the side, her mouth slack, her gaze unfocused.

    ¡°Melena! Melena!¡± Toad sidestepped the pool of sick and shook her shoulders. ¡°Come out of it! I need you!¡±

    But she was too stupid on whatever Milo had given her. She was no help in her current state, and Toad didn¡¯t have time to wait for her to snap out of it. They¡¯d be sold by then. Toad watched her, the wagon wheels making the floorboards vibrate beneath his knees, as she muttered incoherently, still holding tightly to the lump in her arms.

    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± Toad shouted, leaping to his feet. ¡°We¡¯ll start a fire! He¡¯ll have to stop and when he opens the door, we rush him!¡±

    Melena looked up at him with bloodshot eyes.

    ¡°Why not?¡± Toad shouted, though she hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°We¡¯ve gotta get out of here! You don¡¯t know. You don¡¯t understand. Snatchers are the worst ¡ª the fire will work.¡±

    More tears leaked out of Melena¡¯s eyes. Toad ignored them; he squatted down and addressed Hazel directly.

    ¡°Hazel, you gotta start a fire. A great, big fire.¡±

    Melena¡¯s shaking arms tightened over Hazel.

    ¡°Hazel ¡ª¡± Toad growled.

    ¡°Master Toad, I don¡¯t think our little Hazel can,¡± Joe cut in softly.

    ¡°What d¡¯ya mean, she can¡¯t? Hazel starts fires all the time ¡ª she¡¯s a dragon!¡±

    ¡°She ¡ª can¡¯t ¡ª Toad,¡± Melena choked.

    A chill spread through him. It wasn¡¯t like Hazel to be so quiet. To be so immobile. Toad suddenly didn¡¯t want to know what was wrong with the dragon. He didn¡¯t want to even look at her. Instead he pushed backwards, sitting with his back to them, gripping his hair.

    They had to get out. They had to get out. If they couldn¡¯t burn the wagon down, then maybe they could force the latch. He dug out his crude set of lock picks but they were no good against the bolt. He flung them down and looked wildly around for something to dig into the door jam ¡ª to force the door to open ¡ª but there was nothing within the wagon.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to get out!¡±

    ¡°This does appear to be an awkward situation, Master Toad,¡± said Joe seriously from his place on the floor. ¡°Perhaps now would be the logical time to ask Miss Agatha for help?¡±

    ¡°Ask who?¡± said Toad. ¡°The spider? What good¡¯s that gonna be? I don¡¯t think Milo¡¯s scared of spiders.¡±

    ¡°Slipping ¡­ Toad ¡­¡± Melena whispered.

    ¡°Slip ¡ª¡± Toad¡¯s mouth dropped. He grabbed Joe. ¡°She can take us away? Just like she did in the room? She can do that to us, too?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Joe. ¡°Though it would take time to build a large enough web for you to pass through¡­¡±

    ¡°But she can do it?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes.¡±

    Toad spun around, Joe still clutched in his hands, before his heart sank like a stone in a pond. ¡°But she¡¯s back at the inn.¡±

    ¡°She was at the inn,¡± Joe corrected. ¡°When you fetched me from m¡¯lady¡¯s room earlier, Miss Agatha climbed onto your shirt.¡±

    ¡°My ¡ª¡± Toad froze on the spot, suddenly terrified that the spider had been crushed when Milo had manhandled him. The orb drifted low and Toad tentatively peered downward. After a close inspection, there, tucked under his shirt collar was Agatha, curled up tight.

    ¡°What do I do?¡± Toad whispered.

    ¡°You will need to wake her up, Master Toad.¡±

    How do you wake up a spider? Toad gently prodded her round body with his finger.

    ¡°Er ¡ª ¡¯scuse me. Agatha? Hello?¡±

    Lazily, Agatha stretched out a long, striped leg before scuttling onto his finger.

    ¡°Er ¡ª Agatha? Not sure if you¡¯ve noticed, but we¡¯re in a ¡­ a bit of a tight spot.¡± Toad had to keep moving his hand to keep her in sight as she explored his knuckles. ¡°And we¡¯d very much like,¡± Toad continued after an encouraging smile from Joe, ¡°for your assistance in getting out of here.¡±

    Agatha paused on his thumb, black eyes glinting in the light, before leaping into the air like a diver off a high board and scurrying out of sight.

    Toad¡¯s heart clenched. She wasn¡¯t going to help them.

    ¡°You may want to step aside, Master Toad.¡±

    ¡°Wha ¡ª¡±

    Toad looked up just in time to quickly sidestep out of the way as Agatha¡¯s bright orange body shot downward on a gossamer strand. He watched in amazement as the spider spun a large, webbed archway that stretched from the ceiling to the floor. With each jerk of the wagon, Toad¡¯s heart skittered in his chest. He wanted to shout at Agatha to hurry up ¡ª she had spent an exorbitant amount of time on the upper right-hand corner, twitching and tugging on the strands ¡ª but Toad bit down on his tongue.

    A wheel dipped into a pothole, and Toad nearly fell on Melena. In the glow of Joe¡¯s light, his gaze dropped to the lump in Melena¡¯s arms and the hairs on his arms rose.

    ¡°The archway is finished,¡± Joe announced.

    ¡°What do we do?¡± asked Toad at once.

    ¡°Walk through it, but be sure to not catch on any of the strands, Master Toad. If they break, the transport won¡¯t work.¡±

    Toad swallowed. He put Joe back into his coat pocket and swung Melena¡¯s knapsack over his shoulder. He heaved Melena to her feet. She wouldn¡¯t remove her hands from Hazel, so he gripped her arms tightly to help her stay upright. Agatha waited patiently on a strand of her archway. It glimmered like frost under Joe¡¯s light and was just wide enough for them if they ducked their heads and tucked in their elbows.

    Toad took a deep breath, pulled Melena closer and together they stepped through.

 The Shards

    A loud whirling filled Melena¡¯s ears and a kaleidoscope of color swirled about her, as if she had flung herself into the center of a psychedelic tornado. The swirl of color made her stomach churn even worse so she pinched her eyes shut. She only felt Toad¡¯s vice-like grip upon her arms and Hazel¡¯s cold form pressed against her chest.

    Without warning, her feet hit firm ground and her knees buckled.

    ¡°Good gracious!¡±

    Melena opened her eyes but squeezed them shut again as blinding white light stabbed her brain like needles. The stranger¡¯s voice was unnaturally loud in Melena¡¯s ears. She felt a pair of hands grip her elbows, helping her stand.

    ¡°Agatha, you could have warned me we were having guests,¡± the voice scolded. It belonged to a woman. ¡°I would have put the kettle on.¡±

    Melena tried to focus, but the woman standing before her remained stubbornly blurred.

    ¡°I¡¯m Izzie Groot,¡± said the woman. ¡°Are you friends of Agatha¡¯s? Doing a bit of sight seeing?¡±

    Agatha? Who was Agatha? It was so hard to concentrate. Her head throbbed, every noise a splintering stab.

    The spider.

    The woman¡¯s face swam in and out of focus. She was going to throw up and what would the woman think then?

    ¡°Melena!¡± Toad shouted very loudly and a pair of arms grabbed her as her legs gave out.

    <hr>

    ¡°Would you like another? I was worried I added too much rosemary.¡±

    ¡°Nah ¡ª they¡¯re great!¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you. Have as many as you like. With it just me here, I always end up with too many and they go stale so fast in this humidity.¡±

    Melena found the voices bothersome. She wished they would be quiet so she could sleep.

    ¡°It¡¯s a lucky thing Agatha was with you. Your friend would have become seriously ill without treatment.¡±

    ¡°But she¡¯ll be okay now, right?¡±

    It was Toad. But who was he talking to? Melena¡¯s eyes remained shut, as if the lids were glued closed. What were they talking about? Where was she?

    ¡°Oh, yes. She¡¯ll be right as rain now. She had ingested a very powerful sedative. Highly addictive. It¡¯s the withdrawal that¡¯s made her sick. The tonic I gave her will help soothe the symptoms.¡±

    ¡°And Hazel?¡±

    There was a pause. Though the fog remained firmly wrapped around Melena¡¯s brain, her heart pumped faster.

    ¡°The dragon ¡­ the dragon is quite ill. Hazel, you call her? She will require more care. That potion was never meant for Spit-Fires.¡±

    Something was wrong with Hazel? Why was ¡­ why ¡­

    Melena¡¯s eyes flung open. ¡°HAZEL!¡± She tried to jump up, but she was in a cocoon of heavy blankets and became tangled in the sheets. She tumbled head first out of a bed.

    Hurried feet rushed to her. Melena thrashed against the sheets and her arm hit something hard that yelped.

    ¡°OUCH! Get a grip, Melena!¡±

    Toad managed to pull the sheets away from her and Melena looked up, wide eyed. Toad and a woman stood over her, their faces mirrors of concern.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Hazel?¡± Melena demanded. ¡°Where is she?¡±

    Toad and the woman stepped apart. Behind them, across the room, was a crackling fire. In it, wrapped in a blanket stained grass green, nestled down amongst gleaming coals, was Hazel.

    With Toad¡¯s help, Melena half walked, half crawled to the fireplace.

    ¡°She¡¯s gonna be okay, Melena,¡± Toad kept saying in her ear. ¡°Izzie¡¯s helping her. Izzie knows all about potions. Don¡¯t you worry.¡±

    Melena knelt before the fire, staring at her dragon.

    ¡°She¡¯s ¡ª Is she ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Alive,¡± said the woman. Melena¡¯s eyes jerked upward. ¡°I soaked the cloth in an ointment to help her heal.¡±

    ¡°I made the fire,¡± said Toad.

    ¡°And she¡¯ll ¡­ get better?¡± The words were so hushed that Melena half suspected Izzie had been forced to read her lips.

    ¡°In the morning we¡¯ll know more,¡± said Izzie, gently. ¡°But her color is starting to come back. See?¡±

    Melena turned back to Hazel. Only her pointed face was visible ¡ª so horribly bleached ¡ª the rest of her body was wrapped snugly in the cloth. Flames licked her nose, but she slumbered on.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you have some tea?¡±

    Though Melena didn¡¯t answer, Izzie pushed a warm mug into her hands.

    ¡°And try the cookies,¡± said Toad, settling down beside her on the packed-earth floor, holding out a plate. ¡°They¡¯ve got some weird herb in them ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Rosemary,¡± Izzie supplied.

    ¡°But they taste good.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll make soup, shall I?¡± Izzie offered brightly. ¡°A nice, hot bowl of soup. That always perks me up when I¡¯m troubled.¡±

    As Izzie bustled about behind them, chopping this and that, sending a truly delicious smell into the air, Melena began to remember. But it was such a confusing blur. Almost like a terrible, horrible dream.

    ¡°Toad,¡± Melena whispered. ¡°What happened? How did we get here?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡±

    ¡°We were ¡­ in a wagon, I think¡­¡±

    Toad nodded. ¡°When you weren¡¯t at the inn, I went looking for you. Found out you¡¯d found some bloke named Milo and I followed him to his cabin ¡ª took forever. I heard you upstairs, but he threw me in his wagon before I could do anything. Then he got you.¡±

    Hot, shameful tears pricked Melena¡¯s eyes. How could she have been so gullible? So stupid?

    ¡°I realized he was poisoning me,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I thought he was going to kill me.¡±

    ¡°Not what Snatchers do.¡±

    ¡°Snatchers?¡±

    ¡°I told you about ¡¯em when we met that fortune tellin¡¯ lady ¡ª Guave or Guac or somethin¡¯.¡± Toad shifted more toward her, the plate of cookies in his lap. ¡°Remember when I told you about Wilson¡¯s sister? About how some of ¡¯em trade in more than stolen goods?¡±

    ¡°But he wasn¡¯t a fortuneteller,¡± said Melena, frowning at the memory of Milo. ¡°And Lady Guave didn¡¯t try to throw us in her wagon.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Toad agreed. ¡°There are all sorts of Snatchers. I don¡¯t think that Guave lady dealt with human trafficking ¡­ maybe for a high enough price ¡­ Anyway, her wagon was full of black market junk. It gets hard to tell ¡¯em apart, to be honest. Some prefer to mingle with society, helps ¡¯em blend in.¡± Toad frowned at the fire, his dark eyes fixed upon Hazel. ¡°Snatchers are the worst. Especially Snatchers like Mi ¡ª¡±

    At the angry flush that spread over Melena¡¯s face at the mention of his name, Toad changed mid-word ¡°¡ª him. Snatchers like him specialize in kids. Runaways, most likely. Gives ¡¯em a smile, a warm meal, all dosed up with enough drug to bamboozle. He was a charmer, that one,¡± Toad added with a nasty grimace. ¡°Next thing you know you¡¯re miles from home and sold to the highest bidder.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    As if from a lifetime ago, Melena remembered a heated conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bell after she had spilled zifferous juice on Mr. Bell¡¯s freshly pressed trousers:

    ¡°Stop complaining about that clumsy girl!¡± Mrs. Bell had screeched. ¡°You brought this on yourself, Ervin Bell. Pick one up at the orphanage, you said. Don¡¯t want anything too illegal, you said. Could be traced back to us, you said. Bollucks! We should have taken one off that fellow down the road. He always finds good strong lads ¡ª not a runty little girl who can¡¯t carry a serving tray to save her life! It isn¡¯t as if you run a spotless business, Ervin, what with those black market goods in your workshop!¡±

    ¡°Are there Snatchers in Hickory, Toad?¡± Melena asked slowly.

    ¡°Oh yeah. Big cities like Hickory are full of ¡¯em. But they gotta be extra careful with the Guard around. That must have been why Mi ¡ª that bloke ¡ª was living so far from people. Didn¡¯t want anybody showin¡¯ up unannounced while he¡¯s loading the wagon. Might lead to awkward questions.¡±

    The tea was helping. She didn¡¯t feel nearly as sick now. Her vision was clearing and her limbs no longer trembled so badly.

    ¡°How did we get out of there?¡± Melena whispered.

    ¡°Ags.¡± Toad then looked around them. ¡°She should be here somewhere. She was an hour ago.¡±

    ¡°The spider?¡± At once, a convoluted memory surged forward of a strange archway.

    ¡°Turns out she was on my shirt all along,¡± said Toad, a silly grin on his face. ¡°Don¡¯t know what we woulda done if she hadn¡¯t been¡­¡± The grin faltered, sliding away as the terrible prospect settled over them both. ¡°Got us out of a tight pinch, she did. Brought us here ¡ª apparently Izzie and Ags are friends. Izzie¡¯s been great ¡ª you¡¯ll like her,¡± said Toad, looking over his shoulder as Izzie added shredded greens to the soup pot. ¡°Didn¡¯t even bat an eye. Asked me what was wrong and took charge of you and Hazel like it was nuthin¡¯. Fixed up some kind of tonic for you and mashed up a bunch of weird smelling things for Hazel.¡±

    Melena didn¡¯t even flinch as the very spider they were discussing scuttled up her leg and settled upon her knee. She had saved them. She had brought them to this woman who knew how to help and had done so without fuss.

    This odd, little spider.

    Melena¡¯s vision swam with tears.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered.

    Agatha¡¯s inky eyes seemed to shine brighter in the firelight.

    <hr>

    Their benefactor, who had now formally introduced herself to Melena as Izzie Groot, cooked them an invigorating stew that they devoured. Even Melena managed to have seconds. For the first time since arriving, Melena actually took in her surroundings.

    The house was a tiny single-roomed building, warm and cozy with stacks of black, heavy-bottomed pots and bundles of dry, sweet smelling herbs hanging from the rafters. Up against a wall, beneath a small, round window, was the bed Melena had fallen out of. The house was clean enough, though cluttered. Piles of leather bound books were stacked in miniature towers around the place and bits of parchment were scattered on every surface. There were soot stains on the walls, a bowl by the sink was overflowing with radishes, and a single round wooden table stood in the center of the room, pockmarked with dents and burns from the periodic knocked-over-candle. Most of the windows were covered in some kind of lush vine with purple berries. The others, through their gauzy curtains, showed a steady rain.

    Izzie Groot herself was a perfectly ordinary-looking person with a bushy tangle of brown hair in a hap-hazard bun and warm brown eyes. Her face was smooth and young. The only thing remotely surprising about Izzie Groot¡¯s appearance was the finger missing from her right hand; though Melena tried very hard not to, her gaze lingered on the missing digit too often to be considered polite.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t know how to thank you,¡± said Melena as they sat at the table eating stew.

    Izzie shrugged her words away with a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I was telling your friend here that I don¡¯t get visitors too often.¡±

    ¡°But you helped us and you don¡¯t know anything about us,¡± Melena pressed.

    ¡°I knew you were in trouble,¡± Izzie corrected.

    Toad lifted his bowl and drained the contents, then wiped his mouth clean with the back of his hand.

    ¡°Does Ags usually drop people who¡¯ve been poisoned in your kitchen?¡± he asked curiously.

    Izzie turned faintly pink.

    ¡°Well ¡­ when you put it that way, no. Not usually. But Agatha is a very insightful spider. She knew you needed my assistance.¡±

    Melena nodded gratefully. Whatever Izzie had given her had made the nausea and fog disappear completely. Her only worry was for Hazel. She shot another glance at the sleeping dragon. ¡°How did you know what to do?¡±

    ¡°Potions are one of my hobbies,¡± said Izzie with a shrug.

    ¡°Good thing, too,¡± said Toad. ¡°Melena used to work in an apothecary,¡± he told Izzie. ¡°Ever since I ran into her, I¡¯ve felt that this whole country¡¯s made of nuthin¡¯ but potion people.¡±

    Izzie laughed.

    Melena picked up the top book in a stack beside her: The Joy of the Cauldron, by Winfred Singer.

    ¡°Are all of these books about potions?¡± asked Melena, looking at the stacks around them with mounting interest.

    ¡°Not all of them, but it is my weakness. That one¡¯s quite good, though a bit out dated on a few tech¡ª¡± A sudden strong wind blew open a window that had not been firmly latched. Rain splattered onto the floor. ¡°Oh drat!¡± Izzie hurried from the table, batted back the vines that were now billowing inside, and closed the window with a snap.

    ¡°Passion berries,¡± she sighed. ¡°They¡¯re more trouble than they¡¯re worth.¡±

    ¡°Those are passion berries?¡± said Melena, surprised.

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Izzie, pushing hair from her eyes. ¡°I planted them on a whim. I¡¯ve regretted it ever since. Spent a whole summer trying to kill them.¡±

    ¡°I thought they were hard to grow,¡± said Melena, stunned, watching the vines sway outside the window. ¡°That they only grow in a very particular climate.¡±

    ¡°Well, yes, that¡¯s true,¡± said Izzie, resuming her seat at the table, ¡°but here on the Shards, they grow like weeds.¡±

    Melena jerked so badly that hot soup sloshed over her hands, burning them. Toad, who had just taken a great swallow of tea, began to choke.

    ¡°The Shards?¡± Melena gasped. ¡°We¡¯re on ¡­ the Shards?¡±

    ¡°Where did you think you were?¡± asked Izzie, thumping Toad on the back.

    ¡°We were in Licklade when Agatha saved us!¡±

    ¡°Oh, were you?¡± cried Izzie fondly. ¡°How was it?¡±

    ¡°Wet,¡± said Toad.

    Izzie grinned. ¡°That¡¯s the place. I lived there for a little while. Did you see the Soggy Dog? It¡¯s a must visit when in Licklade.¡±

    Toad goggled at her.

    ¡°We¡¯re really on the Shards?¡± Melena repeated, dazed. ¡°I didn¡¯t think people lived here, what with the rocs.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not that bad,¡± said Izzie. ¡°Fishermen mostly spin those horror stories.¡±

    ¡°You mean they don¡¯t kill people?¡± said Toad, a hopeful smile blooming.

    ¡°Well ¡­ not if you don¡¯t bother them,¡± said Izzie.

    Toad groaned.

    <hr>

    The morning brought crystal-blue skies, but Melena was indifferent to the cheerful rays streaming through Izzie¡¯s windows. She sat, hunched and quiet, before the crackling fire. Hazel had not moved.

    Melena had recuperated so quickly that she had expected Hazel to bounce back to her bright, energetic self within hours. The sight, therefore, of Hazel just as sickly pale and immobile in the bed of coals when they woke, froze Melena to her core. Though she listened to Izzie¡¯s assurances that Hazel would get better over time, Melena could not shake the terrible guilt of what she had allowed happen to her dragon. She hovered at Izzie¡¯s elbow anxiously as Izzie changed Hazel¡¯s dressings. With thick, elbow-length gloves, she lifted Hazel from the glowing embers and tucked a freshly soaked cloth tightly about her. Toad added a few more logs to the fire and Izzie returned Hazel to the coals.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Melena,¡± said Toad. ¡°Hazel¡¯s tough. She¡¯ll be okay.¡±

    Melena turned to Izzie. ¡°How much longer before she¡¯s better?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Izzie admitted, removing the gloves. ¡°Like I said, that sedative wasn¡¯t meant for Spit-Fires. But I¡¯ll do everything I can. I have a few books here on dragons,¡± she said, beginning to shift through a nearby stack. ¡°They may have more information on how to speed her recovery.¡±

    Izzie¡¯s words did not make her feel better; in fact, Melena¡¯s gut clenched sickly. It was her fault Hazel was so unwell. A lump in her throat kept her inaudible.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you and Toad take a walk? Stretch your legs,¡± Izzie suggested, still hunting for her dragon book.

    The fear of leaving Hazel¡¯s side swept the lump away. ¡°No! I couldn¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°Come on, Melena,¡± said Toad. ¡°Hazel¡¯s not going anywhere. It¡¯s not doing any good sitting here fretting.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay and look after her,¡± said Izzie.

    Between Izzie¡¯s encouraging smile and Toad tugging on her arm, Melena found herself outside, standing in Izzie¡¯s small, walled-in garden, four fat, brown hens pecking the ground.

    ¡°There¡¯s a path over there,¡± said Toad, pointing, and they started down it.

    Though her worry for Hazel remained heavy in her chest, the beauty of the Shards relaxed Melena¡¯s shoulders somewhat. The air was pungent with salt and sang with the cries of peculiar animals. All was bright and green.

    Toad was oddly cheerful, nearly obnoxiously buoyant. He strode ahead, full of energy, gibbering happily about the luck of arriving on the Shards.

    ¡°That¡¯ll cut out a good three weeks of trouble, wouldn¡¯t you say? Hey ¡­ reckon we might find a talon on this path?¡± He looked down and scanned the ferns.

    Melena refrained from sighing with difficulty. ¡°I told you. We can¡¯t steal it.¡±

    Toad snorted. His initial fear of elephant-sized birds had clearly dispersed in the bright light of the Shards. ¡°They¡¯re nuthin¡¯ but stupid birds,¡± he scoffed. ¡°How can they remember who pinches a talon?¡±

    Melena thought it best not to respond.

    Their path rose steadily and a stitch formed in Melena¡¯s side. The sky that had been so clear and inviting at the beginning of their outing now turned suddenly dark and foreboding as clouds swirled overhead on a sharp wind. Izzie had mentioned how quickly the weather changed on the Shards. One moment, sunshine warm enough to have them stripping out of their coats. The next, a cold downpour.

    Melena peered up through the gap in the swaying trees and felt nervous anxiety bloom in her stomach.

    ¡°I think we should head back.¡±

    But Toad, who had just disappeared through a large cluster of fern-like bushes, did not hear her. Grumbling, Melena hurried after him as the wind began to whip the trees.

    ¡°Toad!¡± she shouted, her annoyance growing. ¡°Toad¡ª¡±

    Melena pushed through a giant fern and found Toad standing upon a large cliff, its face sharply slicing into the ocean far below. A gust of wind swept over them, ruffling Toad¡¯s hair.

    ¡°Woah,¡± he breathed.

    Melena was stunned. She had never seen so much water. Hickory¡¯s river was a pathetic trickle compared to this endless, sweeping expanse of blue. And out in that deep ocean, protruded a cluster of towering rocks. No speck of green was visible on their harsh stone faces. Against the darkening sky, their barren forms looked threatening, like accusing, wicked fingers ¡­ like swords. They stretched upward, far higher than where Melena and Toad stood upon their own cliff. Seagulls cried on the wind, white specks against the bruised sky as they circled the towers.

    As they watched, a gigantic form appeared in the sky, making the seagulls scatter. It was a bird. A huge bird. It flapped its great wings twice and the sound hit them like thunder claps before the bird settled upon a large crag on the topmost part of one of the towers. Sunlight momentarily peeked through the purple clouds, glinting upon the curved golden beak and dark, reddish brown feathers.

    Melena and Toad stood rooted to the spot.

    ¡°Is that ¡­¡±

    ¡°I think so,¡± Melena said breathlessly. It was larger ¡­ so much larger than she had envisioned.

    They had found the rocs.

 Bloodroot and Toadstools

    ¡°There¡¯s gotta be a way to get on those towers.¡±

    They were heading back to Izzie¡¯s, as the clouds were heavy with rain and Melena was in no mood to get caught in a downpour.

    ¡°How d¡¯you reckon we do it?¡± Toad continued.

    Melena had seen enough of the towers, surrounded by deep, churning ocean, to know for a fact that they were not going to do it. They looked impossible to climb, their sides smoothed from centuries of rain and wind.

    ¡°I think we may need help,¡± Melena sighed.

    ¡°Help? Who are we gonna get to help us?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Toad,¡± said Melena wearily. ¡°First off, we¡¯d have to actually get to those towers, so we¡¯d need a boat.¡±

    Toad snapped his fingers. ¡°Izzie! I bet she¡¯s got one!¡±

    Melena wasn¡¯t so sure; she decided to address the next problem. ¡°Once we made it to one of those rock towers, we¡¯d have to actually climb it. I bet they nest at the very top, where we saw that one land.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t seem all that tall,¡± said Toad gruffly. ¡°We could do it. What?¡±

    Melena just shook her head and kept walking. ¡°There¡¯s no way we¡¯re going to be able to climb those towers,¡± she stated, feeling her discouragement like a physical weight.

    It could have been the long walk back to Izzie¡¯s in the rain, or the fact that Hazel was still in her bed of coals, looking as if she hadn¡¯t moved an inch, or the realization of how great a feat attaining a roc talon would truly be, but Melena¡¯s urge to continue the hunt for the ingredients had been snuffed out. She refused to join Toad as he brainstormed ways of climbing the unclimbable. Instead, she sat before the fire, her arms wrapped around her knees, her brain a merry-go-round of misery.

    The moment they entered Izzie¡¯s warm house, Toad asked her if she had a boat they could borrow.

    ¡°No, sorry,¡± Izzie replied, handing him a towel to dry off with. ¡°The only boats that come near the Shards are the half-dozen fishermen brave enough, but they never come to shore.¡±

    ¡°Then how did you get here?¡± said Toad. ¡°How do you get supplies?¡±

    ¡°Agatha brought me. Periodically I slip into Ramsey Port to get a few items, but I¡¯ve learned to be self-sufficient. Why ever do you want a boat?¡±

    ¡°We need to get a roc talon,¡± said Toad.

    Izzie blinked, looking as if she thought she hadn¡¯t heard him right.

    ¡°A ¡­ talon?¡± she repeated, slowly. ¡°From a roc?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s why we need a boat. So we can get to those towers they nest on.¡±

    Again, Izzie looked as if she wasn¡¯t sure what to say. Finally, she took the towel from Toad, saying, ¡°That is a problem.¡± And moved to hang the towel to dry.

    Izzie¡¯s lack of confidence did not discourage Toad. Instead it made him even more relentless. He sat next to Melena by the hearth and kept up a constant flow of encouragement. ¡°We¡¯ve come this far! We can¡¯t give up now. Remember that unicorn? We waited for days! Remember the caves, eh? Remember how we almost died?¡±

    ¡°Hazel saved us,¡± said Melena tonelessly, hardly noticing Izzie getting up from her chair and stepping outside.

    ¡°And Hazel¡¯s gonna get better,¡± said Toad with dark fervor, punching his fist into his hand. ¡°But we¡¯ve gotta think about those birds! There¡¯s gotta be a way of gettin¡¯ up to their nests. We just gotta think of it. There¡¯s gotta be a ¡­ we just need a ¡­ THAT¡¯S IT!¡±

    Toad was on his feet, spinning in circles, his eyes swiveling from floor to ceiling to windows.

    ¡°Toad, what are you¡ª¡±

    Toad ignored her. He dived for his coat, left by the door, and pulled out Joe. ¡°Joe! Have you seen Ags? D¡¯you know where she is?¡±

    Joe yawned widely and looked up at Toad through sleep-caked eyes. ¡°Master wishes for Miss Agatha¡¯s company?¡±

    ¡°Yes! It¡¯s urgent!¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Joe lazily peered about the small cottage. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem to be here.¡±

    ¡°I know that,¡± Toad growled. ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°How would I know, Master Toad?¡±

    Toad looked dumbfounded. ¡°But you knew she was on my shirt!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Master Toad, because I saw her climb up your sleeve,¡± said Joe with strained patience.

    ¡°But you can talk to her!¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean that Ol¡¯ Joe can converse across oceans and mountains. Miss Agatha could be anywhere.¡±

    Toad swore and stuffed Joe back into his coat, fuming. Melena, whose heart had lifted at the idea of Agatha transporting them into a nest, once more felt the gloom settle over her. Izzie stepped back inside, shaking raindrops from a tattered umbrella.

    ¡°Forgot to put my shovel away,¡± she said, catching Melena¡¯s eye. ¡°Last thing I need are rusty garden tools.¡±

    <hr>

    The next day Toad rose early and marched out to the cliff again. Melena didn¡¯t join him. Instead she stayed by Hazel¡¯s side. It was obvious that Izzie had noticed that something was troubling them, but she didn¡¯t question them. She went about her day as usual, checking on Hazel every hour before returning to tending her garden.

    Some time after lunch, Toad returned, looking windblown, with three fresh ideas, each wilder than the last.

    ¡°Face it, Toad,¡± Melena said in a sharp whisper, cutting down yet another outrageous plot to scale the towers, ¡°there is no way we¡¯re getting a talon. It would take all day just to swim out to one of those towers ¡ª maybe more. Do you know how to swim? Because I don¡¯t. We¡¯re finished, Toad. We¡¯re done.¡±

    Melena turned away from him to glare at the fire. The house was suddenly overwhelmingly quiet, the silence punctuated only by a fresh pattering of rain on the roof. Izzie shifted slightly in her old armchair, turning a page in the book she was reading. Toad sat beside Melena. She felt his eyes upon her but she refused to look at him.

    ¡°We¡¯ve gotta get it, Melena,¡± he said quietly. ¡°There¡¯s gotta be a way.¡±

    There isn¡¯t, Melena thought harshly.

    Izzie turned another page in her book.

    A log in the fire popped.

    The rain fell heavier.

    The cuckoo clock on the wall steadily ticked away the time. The silence seemed to stretch on for hours, for days; it was almost too much to bear. Melena bit her lip. There was nothing to say. Their quest was over. Her chance to secure enough money to hire Mr. York and start a new life was gone. It made her physically nauseous to think of returning to the Bells.

    Maybe she could live somewhere else, in a different city, in a different town? Find a new apothecary? She supposed Toad would return to the Ramblers ¡ª but he¡¯d been booted from their ranks, hadn¡¯t he? Would he choose to track down his father, instead? Melena pictured Toad, sea-sprayed and sun burnt, grinning like a shark on a pirate ship, and a half-sad, half-happy smile tugged at her lips.

    Maybe it was time to stop the hunt for Milo and move on.

    Because maybe ¡ª maybe ¡ª she¡¯d found him already.

    There weren¡¯t many things she recalled about her time in the wagon, but she clearly remembered shouting at Toad that Milo the Snatcher was not her brother. Now, sitting for hours with nothing but worry and regret eating her insides, a horrible voice had begun to whisper that maybe, yes, Milo Snead was Milo the Snatcher.

    He had looked so much like her. Nearly identical. Perhaps he had told the truth ¡­ that he had run off and left her in the orphanage. Perhaps he had gotten a bit ¡®messed up¡¯, as he¡¯d said, consorted with the wrong crowd ¡­ realized how an easy coin was made in the smuggling of children.

    He left you behind without a thought, the wicked voice whispered. He was going to sell you off. His own sister.

    Melena dug her nails into her palms.

    He wasn¡¯t my brother, she thought fiercely. My brother would never do that.

    How do you know? the sly voice asked. How can you say for sure what he wouldn¡¯t do? You don¡¯t know him.

    Melena could not argue with these words. She didn¡¯t know her brother. She didn¡¯t know anything save his name, etched on the old locket beneath her shirt. He was a stranger. He could be anyone. Milo the Snatcher had proved how naive Melena had been. A lifetime spent dreaming of a mystery brother full of laughter and quick wit had hoodwinked her. If she succeeded in meeting Milo Snead, would she like who she met?

    Would he like her?

    Beside her, Toad morosely played with a hot coal, pushing it back and forth with the poker. Hazel, in her cocoon, didn¡¯t even twitch. Melena was suddenly overcome with the urge to apologize even though the impossible task of the talon was not anyone¡¯s fault. Perhaps Agatha would still be able to take them to a roc¡¯s nest when she returned to the cottage? Though how they would then manage to convince the bird to part with a talon and not be either devoured on the spot or knocked off the narrow crag by the sweep of its wings¡­

    Melena opened her mouth, unsure what she was going to say, when the door opened without warning. Melena looked around, wondering if the wind had done it, only to stare in surprise. She had thought that Izzie, herself and Toad were the only people on the island, but a petite woman stood in the doorway, shaking her umbrella clear as violently as if she were shaking a snake off a stick.

    ¡°Confound this weather,¡± the woman muttered.

    She was very odd-looking, with a prominent square jaw and hair that resembled a thatched roof. She wore a strange assortment of garments: thick woolen pants, a thin white blouse with ruffles and pearl buttons, a tweed vest and jacket, bright purple, rubber boots, and a small lavender hat that looked truly ridiculous since a feather far too large for it was stuck into the band.

    She slid her umbrella in the stand by the door as if barging into cottages on remote islands was nothing at all. ¡°Sorry I¡¯m late, Izzie; nearly broke my neck sliding¡ª¡± The woman stopped abruptly, her eyes landing on Melena and Toad. ¡°Skin me a lizard, I¡¯m intruding!¡±

    ¡°Becky,¡± said Izzie, moving forward, ¡°this is Melena, and this is Toad.¡±

    Grumbling something inaudible, Becky searched her vest pockets and pulled out a pair of pince-nez . She put them on her rather beaky nose and peered at Melena and Toad like a grouchy librarian.

    After a moment of silent scrutiny, Becky gave a short snort and took off her glasses.

    ¡°Yours?¡± she asked Izzie.

    ¡°Oh, no. Agatha brought them from Licklade.¡±

    ¡°I was about to say, don¡¯t often see children round these parts.¡±

    ¡°Children,¡± said Izzie turning back to Melena and Toad. ¡°This is Becky. She¡¯s a scholar studying the habitat of the Shards.¡±

    ¡°That amongst other things,¡± said Becky. She then turned to Izzie. ¡°Shall we get to it?¡±

    ¡°Becky and I meet for a game every week,¡± Izzie explained. ¡°I completely forgot.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± said Melena, trying to smile. The muscles in her face didn¡¯t seem to want to cooperate.

    ¡°I say!¡± said Becky, striding to the fire. ¡°Is that a Spit-Fire? What¡¯s it doing in the hearth?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s recuperating,¡± said Izzie, handing Becky a cup of tea.

    ¡°A Spit-Fire,¡± Becky said with enthusiasm. ¡°They¡¯re valuable. Quite expensive. Highly loyal. Invaluable, some would say.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± said Melena, standing and taking a step to block Hazel from view.

    ¡°Oh. Pinched her, did you?¡±

    ¡°Becky!¡± Izzie scolded.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t!¡± said Melena hotly. ¡°I found her abandoned in an alley.¡±

    ¡°Puh. Who abandons a Spit-Fire? Doesn¡¯t look very sprightly though, does it?¡±

    Melena¡¯s fists clenched and Izzie, perhaps sensing danger, managed to steer Becky back to the table.

    Melena scowled. The woman looked utterly ridiculous in her ruffled shirt and silly hat. Melena watched the enormous feather attached to the little lavender hat nearly knock over a vase of flowers in a window sill. Who would wear something so stu¡ªUnauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Melena inhaled sharply.

    Toad turned to her in concern. He got to his feet. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Look ¡ª at ¡ª her ¡ª hat,¡± Melena said out of the corner of her mouth.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the stupidest¡ª¡±

    ¡°The feather!¡± Melena hissed in a strangled whisper. ¡°The feather, Toad!¡±

    Toad looked confused, then dawning comprehension slowly came over him. He took a step closer to Melena.

    ¡°D¡¯you think she¡¯s got a talon?¡± he asked, barely moving his lips.

    Melena didn¡¯t respond. Her eyes raked over the woman. How had Becky acquired a roc feather? Had she stolen it? At the thought, Melena shot a terrified glance at the windows, half expecting to see the monstrous bird about to crash into the kitchen.

    ¡°Is that a roc feather in your hat?¡±

    Becky stopped adding sugar to her tea, looking around at Melena. ¡°It is.¡±

    ¡°That must have been terribly hard to get.¡±

    ¡°It was,¡± said Becky with a little puff of her chest.

    ¡°However did you manage it? Toad and I were just looking at those towers that they nest on.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve been to the Needles?¡± asked Becky, sounding pleased.

    ¡°Not exactly. We saw them from the cliff. They look impossible to climb.¡±

    ¡°Not impossible!¡±

    Melena and Toad stared.

    ¡°You mean you climbed those towers?¡± Toad spluttered.

    ¡°No need to sound so amazed,¡± Becky drawled. ¡°They are fascinating creatures, the rocs. That¡¯s why I came to the Shards thirty years ago ¡ª to study them. They¡¯re mating rituals last twenty-nine days. The eggs take three years to hatch and¡ª¡±

    ¡°But how did you get it?¡± Toad demanded, taking a seat at the table.

    Becky¡¯s thin lips tightened at being interrupted.

    ¡°Years of patience and observation.¡±

    ¡°Years?¡± Toad cried. ¡°We ain¡¯t got years!¡±

    ¡°Toad, be quiet!¡± Melena hissed, taking the chair beside him.

    Toad looked insulted. Becky, on the other hand, was smiling at Melena with greater approval.

    ¡°My aunt had a feather, too,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°She did?¡± said Becky, surprised. ¡°I was under the impression that I was the only person in Calendula who had ever been accepted by the rocs.¡±

    Melena felt herself blush. ¡°She was very good with birds,¡± she lied quickly. ¡°Dad always teased her; said she was one.¡±

    Becky¡¯s brow remained knitted and Melena was worrying she had gone too far when Becky pulled something up from the confines of her vest. It was a thin string, tied like a necklace around her neck. On one end was what looked like a large bronze tooth.

    At the sight of it, Izzie gasped and leaned forward.

    ¡°How did you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Patience and observation,¡± Becky repeated primly. She shot a look at Melena and said rather smugly, ¡°Has your aunt got one of these, girlie?¡±

    ¡°A talon?¡± Melena whispered. ¡°No, she hasn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Toad yelped, staring from Melena to the bit of talon dangling before them. ¡°That¡¯s a roc¡¯s talon?¡±

    ¡°None other,¡± said Becky crisply.

    ¡°Why¡¯s it so small?¡±

    Angry red spots flared high on Becky¡¯s cheeks. ¡°A roc talon is a roc talon, whether whole or chipped. It took me ten years to be gifted with this!¡±

    Incensed, she turned away from them and took out a stack of colored cards from her pocket, which she began to shuffle in an agitated fashion. At the sight of them Melena¡¯s brain erupted into a plan.

    ¡°The game you two play? It¡¯s Bloodroot and Toadstools?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Becky. ¡°Why don¡¯t you two scamper along while Izzie and I ¡ª¡±

    ¡°What do you say we play for your talon?¡± asked Melena.

    Becky blinked at her owlishly, momentarily thrown, but she regained her icy composure in a snap.

    ¡°And why would I do that?¡± she demanded.

    ¡°Because I can offer something rarer than a roc talon.¡±

    Becky¡¯s laugh came out as a condescending snort. ¡°I doubt it. What would a little street dweller like you have that could possibly compete with the rarity of a roc¡¯s talon?¡±

    ¡°Joe.¡±

    Toad looked around at her so fast that his neck cricked.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Joe?¡± Becky asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

    ¡°A beer mug.¡± Melena went to Toad¡¯s coat, hanging by the door, but Toad got there in a flash and yanked it back.

    ¡°Bet somethin¡¯ else!¡±

    ¡°We need that talon!¡± said Melena, pulling on the coat.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Bet somethin¡¯ else!¡± Toad snarled.

    But Becky was now intrigued.

    ¡°Come now, boy! Let her pull it out!¡±

    ¡°I swear, I won¡¯t lose,¡± Melena said quietly.

    Toad¡¯s furious eyes did not soften as he allowed Melena to pull Joe from the coat and place him upon the table.

    Becky and Izzie sat frozen, staring as Joe lazily blinked his eyes as if waking from a slumber. He looked around at the platter of cookies and cups of tea. ¡°I say, are we having a party?¡± He grinned widely and looked up at the silent women. ¡°Elizabeth!¡± he cried in shock and jubilation. ¡°Elizabeth Groot! Oh!¡±

    For a moment, Melena was so confused by Joe¡¯s exclamation that she could only stare at Izzie. Toad, however, spoke clearly.

    ¡°What the blazes is goin¡¯ on?¡±

    ¡°I say, do you know this creation, Izzie?¡± Becky demanded, turning to her friend.

    Izzie looked like a woman cornered. ¡°I might have ¡­ run into him once ¡­ when I was younger¡­¡±

    ¡°She used me as a paperweight,¡± said Joe, happily. ¡°Oh, Elizabeth, how you have grown!¡± He looked her up and down smartly, like a proud grandfather. ¡°We had such a very short time together before my dear Jack lifted me from your ironing board.¡±

    ¡°Jack?¡± said Melena, turning to Toad.

    ¡°Jack the Barbarian,¡± said Toad shortly.

    ¡°Is that what happened?¡± asked Izzie. ¡°I really should have gotten better locks¡­¡±

    ¡°So you see,¡± Melena said, trying to steer the conversation back to the task at hand, ¡°he¡¯s one of a kind.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes,¡± Izzie agreed, apparently happy to move the attention elsewhere. ¡°Joe¡¯s in a class all to himself.¡±

    ¡°If I win, I get your talon,¡± said Melena. ¡°If I lose, you get Joe. What do you say?¡±

    Becky tore her eyes from Joe. ¡°This talon took a lot to get, girlie.¡± But Becky chewed her lip, conflicted. Then: ¡°If I may?¡±

    ¡°By all means,¡± said Melena. ¡°He¡¯s real. He isn¡¯t a trick.¡±

    Becky situated her pince-nez more securely on her nose, picked Joe up and peered at him from all angles. ¡°Fascinating. He¡¯s doesn¡¯t appear to have a brain, yet talks and remembers. How did you come by him?¡±

    ¡°A fortuneteller had him,¡± said Melena as Toad sat in cold silence beside her.

    ¡°And you Izzie? You and this Joe character know each other?¡±

    In reply, Izzie took a large swallow of tea. Becky didn¡¯t seem to mind not getting an answer from her. She was too absorbed in scrutinizing every inch of the mug. She turned him around so they were nearly nose to nose. Joe puckered his fat lips and made a loud smooching noise that made Izzie snort into her teacup.

    ¡°I accept your challenge,¡± said Becky, putting Joe back onto the table. She turned her attention to laying out the cards. Joe grinned rather shiftily at Izzie who quickly rose to check on Hazel.

    Toad scooted his chair closer to Melena. ¡°You know how to play this?¡± he asked in an undertone.

    ¡°Yes. I told you. I used to play it all the time back at the orphanage.¡±

    ¡°Used to?¡±

    ¡°Working in Mr. Bell¡¯s shop cut down on time for competition. But I was a champion at St. Brenda¡¯s. I¡¯m very good, Toad,¡± Melena added, with what she hoped was a confident smile. ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±

    ¡°If you say so,¡± Toad muttered tersely.

    Melena didn¡¯t want to think about how Toad would behave toward her if she lost Joe.

    ¡°Ready, girlie?¡± asked Becky, looking up from the cards.

    Melena nodded; Toad sat stiff as a board; Izzie refreshed their cups. Out of thin air, Agatha reappeared, settling down on the tip of Joe¡¯s nose, making him go cross-eyed.

    On the table between Melena and Becky were five stacks of different colored cards (smokey gray, poisonous green, shimmering blue, blood red, and inky black), arranged in a circle with the black stack in the center. Becky passed Melena a blank white card from a much shorter stack pushed to the side before taking one herself.

    ¡°Youngest draws first,¡± said Becky.

    Melena took the top card from the black stack and Toad leaned in close. There were silver words written on it: Widow¡¯s Broth. Underneath the words were tiny colored dots: five green, two red, and a single blue.

    ¡°What¡¯s¡ª¡± But Melena shushed Toad and put the card face down beside the blank white one, so Becky couldn¡¯t see the potion¡¯s name.

    Becky reached out a hand and slid a black card off the stack. The corner of her mouth twitched and she too, placed it face down before her.

    ¡°Well, girlie?¡±

    Melena considered the four remaining stacks. Widow¡¯s Broth was a poison and one she would have much preferred not to have drawn. She didn¡¯t usually peruse the poison section in Bartholomew¡¯s Guide to All Things Potion, save for the times she felt particularly volatile toward the Bells. From the colored dots on the potion¡¯s card, she knew she had plenty of ingredients to find, but what were they?

    A stained and oil spattered page from All Things Potion swam into her mind. Ground human bones ¡ª she remembered that, but what else ¡­ clover roots? That didn¡¯t sound right. It definitely called for a liver from the ruby toad ¡­ or had it been a heart?

    ¡°Take your time,¡± said Becky, daintily sipping her tea.

    Melena ground her jaw. She was only allowed one guess, and she didn¡¯t want to use it first thing, especially with the smug smile Becky was giving her. She picked up a green card. Unlike the potion card, a drawing of a shriveled black seed pod took up most of its face, but underneath were words written in the same silver ink: Blister Pods.

    They were never called for in poisons, making her decision easy. She put the card face up beside the center black stack.

    ¡°Don¡¯t need blister pods, eh?¡± Becky asked, scrutinizing Melena.

    ¡°No,¡± said Melena.

    Becky eyed her shrewdly, then, instead of choosing a colored card, picked up the blank, white one by her elbow ¡ª the Guess Card.

    ¡°Moonrocks,¡± she said almost lazily.

    At once, the card turned gray to match the gray stack. With an arrogant smile, Becky placed it on the table, face up for everyone to see, and Melena felt her confidence wither somewhat.

    ¡°What was that about?¡± Toad demanded. ¡°You can just ask for cards?¡±

    ¡°You get a guess ¡ª a single guess,¡± Melena explained. ¡°But it comes with a price. Whether you guess right or wrong, your opponent gets two turns back to back.

    ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± said Toad.

    Melena grimaced. She appreciated the extra go at the stacks, but she had not missed the silent message from Becky. Becky knew all the ingredients to her potion; she had simply used up her Guess Card to get ahead. Melena was not playing a novice.

    Melena lifted a green card (Holly Berries) and then a blue (Yunglung Oil), both useless and Becky¡¯s smug grin made her want to vomit.

    ¡°Too bad,¡± Becky simpered, drawing a blue card only for her face to fall into a scowl.

    ¡°Zifferous juice,¡± she snorted, flinging it back to the center of the table.

    Melena mentally went through the ingredients to Widow¡¯s Broth again and again, and with each run-through, she grew more confident, save for one ¡­ was it clover roots or yew leaves? Should she, like Becky, go ahead and use her guess now?

    Melena took another green card. Her heart leapt. Loon-Bell Beans was written in silver below a drawing of bluish-purple, kidney-shaped beans. She tried to keep from grinning and placed it beside her potion card, but this time face up, so everyone could see.

    ¡°Eh? Loon-bell beans?¡± Becky squinted over the table at the card.

    ¡°Quite,¡± nodded Joe knowingly. ¡°Make horrible stains. I remember some of your shirts, Elizabeth ¡­¡±

    Becky let out an annoyed snort that her head start was gone, and snatched up a card from the red stack.

    ¡°AhHA!¡± she cackled, placing her own card face up. ¡°The tail of the black salamander!¡±

    In reply, Melena took another green card. On the game went, Melena slowly working through the green stack while Becky jumped from color to color like an over-energized butterfly. After ten minutes, Becky had added another card to her collection ¡ª pimpinella roots ¡ª while Melena still only had one ingredient. Toad was leaning so close to Melena that their shoulders were fused together.

    It was Melena¡¯s turn again; Becky was flushed with excitement, hovering over the stacks, ready to snatch up another when Melena was done. Melena glanced over the cards Becky had collected wondering what potion she could have¡­

    ¡°I don¡¯t have many more to go,¡± Becky grinned. ¡°How many do you need?¡±

    Melena ignored her. Tired of the green cards, she picked up a blue one. There was no drawing there, only a single, bold word: PROVIDER.

    ¡°What¡¯s that one?¡± Toad asked, sharply. ¡°Why¡¯s there no drawing?¡±

    Becky¡¯s smile vanished.

    Melena cleared her throat and said clearly to the table at large, ¡°Essence of Ergot.¡±

    Immediately the word PROVIDER vanished, replaced by a fancy greenish bottle with the caption Essence of Ergot written beneath it. Relieved to have gotten her only liquid ingredient, Melena placed it beside her loon-bell beans.

    ¡°Ergot?¡± Becky muttered, glaring at the stacks. ¡°Loons and ergots? That¡¯s a rather tricky combination. I wonder ¡­ is your potion Liquid Confusion?¡±

    Melena kept her face impassive. ¡°Maybe,¡± she replied.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Becky¡¯s eyes darted behind her glasses, the lenses digging into her eyebrows. Perhaps feeling that the blue stack was lucky, she picked up one only to fling it down in aggravation. Melena returned to the green cards. Again (Melena had never been this lucky), the card had only a single word: PINCHER. She put the card face up beside her others and saw Becky¡¯s eyes widen. Izzie chuckled. Glaring, Becky snatched up a green card.

    ¡°Ah, yes! Milkwort!¡± Becky put it beside her other ingredients, but Melena held out the PINCHER card, her eyes dancing.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take that, please.¡±

    ¡°You can do that?¡± Toad said, amazed, as Becky ground her jaw and flung the milkwort card at Melena.

    ¡°You can only take someone else¡¯s card with the Pincher card,¡± Melena explained, placing the PINCHER card on the discard stack and the milkwort with her potion collection. ¡°Provider cards allow you to take directly from the stack, but only from the stack which they come from.¡±

    The game turned fierce as more cards joined their potions. Melena collected two more while Becky grabbed her fourth, all the while grumbling loudly over the loss of her milkwort.

    ¡°What happens now that you¡¯ve got one of her ingredients?¡± Toad asked.

    ¡°She can¡¯t finish her potion,¡± Melena replied in an undertone as Becky shot her a furious glare. ¡°But she could get it back if she finds a Provider or a Pin¡ª¡±

    ¡°HAHA!¡± Becky had lifted a green card and waved it about like a battle flag. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who¡¯s got luck up her sleeve.¡± She slammed it down on the table. The gleaming words PROVIDER seemed grotesquely cheerful to Melena. ¡°Milkwort, please,¡± said Becky evilly. The card transformed, a spindly plant now on its face, identical to the one Melena had. ¡°I only need one more, girlie, and that mug¡¯s mine!¡±

    Muskrat hair, pimpinella roots, moonrocks, black-tailed salamander, milkwort ¡­ the ingredients raced their tails in Melena¡¯s brain. Becky only needed one more ingredient? What was it? She should know this. What was missing? Melena still needed three cards of her own and she still didn¡¯t know if she should keep clover roots or yew leaves. If she spent her guess, she would allow Becky two turns. Melena squeezed her eyes shut, trying to visualize the page in All Things Potion.

    Becky drummed her fingers on the table.

    Melena fingered the white card and Becky, noticing her indecision, leapt like a cat on a mouse.

    ¡°Best to be sure,¡± Becky insisted with fake concern. ¡°Would be terrible if you thought you had the right combination.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± asked Toad at once. ¡°Why would it be terrible?¡±

    ¡°If I end the game with the wrong cards, I¡¯d have to put all the cards I¡¯ve collected so far back into their stacks,¡± said Melena grimly. ¡°I¡¯d have to get them all back again.¡±

    Toad looked horrified. ¡°And ¡ª and Becky doesn¡¯t have to do anything?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯ll keep her cards and have a heavy head¡¯s start which is why it¡¯s practically impossible to win if you¡¯ve lost all your cards. This game doesn¡¯t forgive guessing,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°But you can guess!¡± Toad argued, pointing at the blank card.

    ¡°And give Becky two turns?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll be worth it if your guess is right,¡± Toad insisted.

    ¡°And if I¡¯m wrong?¡± said Melena.

    Toad glared at her. His face paled with tension, but he said with fierce conviction, ¡°You won¡¯t be.¡±

    Toad¡¯s confidence fortified Melena¡¯s decision. She picked up the blank card and asked (with the fingers of her left hand crossed under the table), ¡°Yew leaves?¡±

    If her guess was wrong, the card would turn bright orange, signaling the loss of her guess, but instead, green bled across its face. No longer blank, it now showed thin, needle-like leaves on a slender branch.

    Melena expelled a long breath and put the card with the rest. Toad let out a loud whoop; Izzie clapped, beaming. Becky, whose lips had turned downward in an ugly grimace, now grinned wickedly.

    ¡°Two turns to me then,¡± she said.

    She reached for the blue stack and Melena thought her heart might explode as realization struck: Dragon¡¯s Flame. Dragon¡¯s Flame was Becky¡¯s potion and the only ingredient missing was jasmine water. Melena crossed her fingers beneath the table, praying Becky wouldn¡¯t draw it¡­

    The first was tossed aside.

    The second ¡ª

    ¡°Confound it all!¡± Becky roared, throwing down castor seed oil onto the messy discard stack.

    Izzie laughed out loud, but Melena let out a shaky breath of relief. She may have dodged a bullet, but the fact remained that she needed two to Becky¡¯s one.

    Starting to feel herself sweat, Melena picked up a red card and was immediately rewarded.

    ¡°The liver of the ruby toad,¡± she cheered happily, putting it down with her others. She beamed across the table. ¡°I only have one left now, too.¡±

    Becky snorted with such violence that Melena was sure a few boogers landed on the playing cards. She again reached for a blue ¡ª

    And discarded it.

    The same happened for Melena¡¯s red turn. Beside her, Toad¡¯s leg was jerking up and down with nervous adrenaline.

    Onward it went. By the fourth round of discarded blues and reds, both Melena and Becky were sweating, hovering over their colored stacks.

    Joe had long since lost interest in the furious game and was absentmindedly humming ¡®Sweet, Sweet Joanna¡¯ under his breath. Agatha was still curled up on his nose, looking like a frightful pimple.

    The blue stack was shockingly low and Melena knew that the chances of Becky finding her jasmine water were uncomfortably high. Toad was hunched over the table, his twitching leg causing the teacups to rattle in their saucers. Her fingertips tingling, Melena pulled yet another red card from the stack.

    ¡°YES!¡± She yelled so loudly, that Toad jumped and fell out of his seat. ¡°BLOODROOT! BLOODROOT!¡± Melena shouted, waving her red card in the air.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?! What¡¯s this?!¡± Becky demanded. She had jerked so badly at Melena¡¯s shout that her glasses had tumbled off her nose.

    Melena slammed the last card (a nasty drawing of human bones) onto the table. At the shout of the winner¡¯s word, her line of cards lit up and glowed faintly gold. Of their own accord, they stacked themselves under the black potion card, signally the end of the game. Melena had gathered the correct ingredients. She had won.

    ¡°You won?¡± Toad gasped, climbing back into his seat.

    Melena held out her hand, her face split into a triumphant smile.

    Purple in the face, Becky yanked off her necklace and thrust it across the table.

 The Seeking Solution

    Toad couldn¡¯t stop gibbering over the roc talon and Melena couldn¡¯t stop grinning. Becky left shortly after the end of game, snatching up her umbrella and closing the door with a loud bang, making Joe jerk out of his daydream and look around in surprise.

    ¡°Is the game over?¡± he asked. ¡°Who won?¡±

    ¡°I hope we didn¡¯t upset her too much,¡± Melena said to Izzie.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Becky,¡± said Izzie as Becky¡¯s silhouette marched further from view through the window. ¡°She¡¯ll get over it. Eventually.¡±

    As if the Shards were celebrating too, the morose clouds blew clear, sunlight streaming through the windows. But Hazel was impervious to it all and the sight of the dragon still silent, still sickly, dampened Melena¡¯s happiness.

    ¡°How much longer?¡± she asked Izzie, bending over the fireplace.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it!¡± Toad cheered behind them, holding the talon aloft. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been almost three days,¡± said Melena, growing worried all over again. ¡°Can you tell if she¡¯s getting better?¡±

    ¡°I said it would take time,¡± said Izzie unhelpfully. ¡°But her scales aren¡¯t so pale anymore. What was her color originally?¡±

    ¡°Emerald green. But how much time?¡±

    ¡°I CAN¡¯T BELIEVE IT!¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should change the dressings again?¡± Melena offered.

    ¡°I CAN¡¯T¡ª¡±

    ¡°Toad!¡± Melena snapped, losing patience.

    Toad spun in a circle, arms in the air, jubilation etched all over his face when he stumbled, mouth open in a silent exclamation. He pointed frantically at the fire. Melena whipped around.

    Hazel was awake.

    <hr>

    Melena couldn¡¯t imagine feeling more happy than she was right then, watching Hazel sniff her bed of coals in an exploratory fashion. The little dragon didn¡¯t attempt to rise from her cocoon of cloth, instead shimmying more comfortably into its depths with a soft yawn. No longer were her scales bleached white, but a light pea green.

    Melena felt as if her heart had swollen three times its size. After Izzie assured her that Hazel was in a much better condition now that she had awoken, Melena happily joined Toad in exploring the traps Izzie had set up for crabs in the shallow, rocky pools along the beach.

    The path that led down to a strip of white sand was just ten minutes from the cottage and its vine-covered roof was in clear view from the shoreline. They took off their shoes and dug their toes into the warm sand. Toad rolled up his pants and together they splashed through the shallows. Twenty minutes later, Izzie joined them on the beach with Hazel in her arms, still wrapped in her protective cocoon, though smelling the salty air with interest.

    Izzie¡¯s traps were heavy with blue-shelled crabs and Toad and Melena had a wonderful time digging for clams. As the sun sank into the ocean, bathing the sky scarlet, a great flapping made them look up: five rocs soared overhead, enormous, intimidating, and majestic. They watched until the birds disappeared into the fiery sun, and then, with Hazel beginning to shiver in her wrap, they hurried back up the steep path.

    The trip down to the beach had been good for Hazel ¡ª her color was brighter than ever ¡ª but the evening chill sent her curling back into her nest of hot coals. In the morning, however, she ventured out of the fireplace on her own and ate a few left-over steamed clams from dinner for breakfast. After close inspection, Izzie pronounced Hazel well on her way to a full recovery.

    ¡°But I won¡¯t be content until I¡¯ve seen her flame,¡± she said, giving Hazel a scratch under the chin. ¡°Once she¡¯s done that, we¡¯ll know she¡¯s fit as a fiddle.¡±

    So Melena and Toad spent the day with Hazel, taking her outside to explore the garden (making Izzie¡¯s chickens scatter with angry squawks) and down to the strip of beach below, waiting for the once ever-so-present smoke to curl out of Hazel¡¯s nostrils like it had done so very frequently before.

    ¡°Ain¡¯t this how it is,¡± Toad grumbled, watching Hazel claw at the sand for clams. ¡°When you need a dragon to breath fire, they don¡¯t.¡±

    Hazel cocked her head to one side as if listening for the hidden clams before burying her snout into the sand.

    Toad shot Melena a tentative look. ¡°We¡¯ve got the talon now. Don¡¯t you think we should be moving on?¡±

    ¡°You heard Izzie,¡± said Melena quickly. ¡°We can¡¯t risk Hazel relapsing if we push her before she¡¯s fully recovered.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯m for that,¡± Toad agreed. ¡°All I¡¯m sayin¡¯ is when she¡¯s ready, we should head out sharpish. Deadline, and all that.¡±

    They sat in silence, watching Hazel shake sand from her face. The idea of leaving the Shards was not a pleasant one. Melena had never felt so peaceful and safe as she did right then with her toes buried in the sand and the sun warm upon her back; the prospect of continuing onward to the winter-blasted Blackens and the terrors that waited there was uninviting to say the least. But that night as dinner cooked, she and Toad put their heads together. Clustered around the fireplace, bent low over a piece of parchment, Melena and Toad brainstormed what they would need to survive in the Blackens.

    ¡°Why ever are you going there?¡± asked Izzie, startled, after she overheard them.

    It was the first personal question she had asked. Izzie had never questioned them about how Melena and Hazel had gotten in the state they had been in when they were dropped unceremoniously on her kitchen floor. Melena was grateful for Izzie¡¯s lack of pestering, though it did seem odd.

    ¡°Mirg water,¡± said Toad promptly.

    Izzie looked floored. ¡°Springs of Mirg?¡± she repeated, looking from Melena to Toad and back again. ¡°You¡¯re planning on going to the Springs of Mirg? They¡¯re restricted. You can¡¯t travel there. Not legally. They¡¯re dangerous,¡± she said, voice growing hard at Toad and Melena¡¯s lack of consternation.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    ¡°Not legal? That¡¯s annoying,¡± said Toad. He turned to Melena. ¡°Does that mean we¡¯ll have to go on foot?¡±

    ¡°Most likely,¡± Melena nodded, not excited at all by the prospect.

    ¡°But ¡ª ¡± Izzie opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, and then, deciding it best not to say anything, returned to chopping radishes.

    Tentatively, Melena asked, ¡°Do you know anywhere we can buy supplies for the Blackens?¡±

    ¡°I would try East-of-Burg¡± said Izzie shortly, her back stiff.

    <hr>

    It was the fourth day after the triumph of the roc talon and Melena woke very early. She rose from the nest of blankets on the floor ¡ª Toad¡¯s rumpled hair just protruded from under them ¡ª and softly crept out of the house.

    Izzie was already up. Melena spotted her in a chair beside her garden wall, overlooking the rushing sea, a fat brown hen pecking around her. The dawn was chilly and Melena shivered slightly. Something bumped into her ankle and she looked down: Hazel had followed her. Melena scooped her up and headed toward the garden wall.

    ¡°Morning,¡± Izzie greeted, a cup of tea cradled in her hands. ¡°Hope I didn¡¯t wake you.¡±

    Melena shook her head. She sat down on the wall.

    ¡°I just wanted to say thank you,¡± said Melena. ¡°We would have died if you hadn¡¯t helped us.¡±

    ¡°I told you, it wasn¡¯t a bother,¡± said Izzie.

    ¡°But still. Letting us crowd into your house. Cooking us food.¡± Melena wanted to express just how much Izzie¡¯s kindness meant to her. ¡°Not everyone would have been so willing to help.¡±

    Izzie didn¡¯t respond but continued to smile benignly at the ocean.

    ¡°Even Joe¡¯s been well-behaved,¡± Melena added with a laugh. She could see the mug through the window, winking and mouthing something at her.

    A silence stretched between them. Melena watched the hen scratch for worms; Hazel slipped from her arms and walked farther down the garden wall, swishing her tail; steam swirled from Izzie¡¯s cup.

    ¡°Why do you want it?¡±

    ¡°Sorry?¡± asked Melena.

    ¡°The Seeking Solution. What are you looking for?¡±

    Melena stared. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to tell me,¡± Izzie said quickly, looking suddenly apologetic. ¡°It was rude of me to ask. Forget it.¡±

    ¡°No ¡ª what did you mean?¡±

    Izzie¡¯s eyes met Melena¡¯s.

    ¡°You tried very hard to get that roc talon and you¡¯ve been talking about the Springs of Mirg and moonflowers. I assume you have the moss and unicorn hair already? It¡¯s obvious that you¡¯re collecting ingredients for the Seeking Solution.¡± Izzie narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. ¡°Aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Melena could only stare.

    ¡°Well ¡­ actually ¡ª¡± Melena fumbled, ¡°Toad and I ¡­ we weren¡¯t told the specifics about the potion¡­ you think it¡¯s called the Seeking Solution?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re gathering ingredients without knowing what they make?¡± asked Izzie, sounding extremely confused. ¡°They¡¯re incredibly difficult to get.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± said Melena with a weak smile. ¡°We were hired to get them.¡±

    At this Izzie looked horrified. ¡°But you¡¯re children!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡± And because Izzie looked like she was going to ask for the details, Melena said quickly, ¡°So, what does the Seeking Solution do? I¡¯ve never heard of it.¡±

    ¡°It is a potion that will lead you to what you seek,¡± said Izzie, still frowning in consternation. ¡°It isn¡¯t very well understood and many practitioners of the Cauldron believe it¡¯s pure fantasy because of the complication of the Vessel and the rather unorthodox instructions.¡±

    ¡°Vessel?¡± asked Melena, puzzled.

    ¡°The Vessel. It is a special cauldron, specifically designed for the potion. You should know that whoever you are gathering the ingredients for must have the Vessel as well. It will not work without it. Many attempts have been made to create the Seeking Solution and none have succeeded, because, I suspect, no one has yet used the correct Vessel.¡±

    ¡°And this potion,¡± said Melena, her heart suddenly racing, ¡°can find anything?¡±

    ¡°Anything,¡± Izzie agreed. ¡°Theoretically speaking, of course. It¡¯s never been tested.¡±

    ¡°And you believe it¡¯s real? The Seeking Solution?¡±

    Izzie pursed her lips. Slowly she said, ¡°The Seeking Solution is seen as folly by most, but I do ¡­ or perhaps, I like to think that it¡¯s real. Though I would never say that at the Potions Guild,¡± she added with a wink.

    The Seeking Solution. That was what they were gathering for Mr. Owl? She felt light headed. A potion that could find anything? Would it possibly ¡­ Could she dare hope? ¡­ Would it find Milo?

    But the potion was for Mr. Owl, and ¡ª with a deflating sensation ¡ª Melena realized that Toad would never let her keep the ingredients. But could she convince Mr. Owl to let her have just a little of the finished brew? How much did the Vessel really need in order to work? And what was this Vessel? If it wasn¡¯t a simple pewter cauldron, what container did Izzie mean? She was about to head back to the cottage, rouse Toad, and ask him whether Mr. Owl had mentioned any Vessel when he¡¯d given Toad the job, when Hazel started to cough.

    Melena darted forward, concerned, but Izzie held her back.

    ¡°I think ¡­¡± Izzie murmured. ¡°Excellent!¡±

    For Hazel had just let out a belch of fire, singeing the tips of a nearby bush; the hen (who¡¯d been coincidentally underneath the bush, poking at fallen leaves) let out a terrified squawk and flapped to safety behind the tool shed.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your parent nor your guardian,¡± Izzie continued, as if Hazel hadn¡¯t interrupted, ¡°so I can¡¯t stop you, but I implore you to be careful and to think whether getting these ingredients is worth the possible cost.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve come this far,¡± said Melena stubbornly.

    Izzie¡¯s smiled wryly. ¡°Common attitude of adventures.¡± She wriggled the fingers of her right hand, flaunting the missing digit.

    ¡°You mean ¡­ you¡¯ve ¡­¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think I¡¯d always just gardened, did you?¡± said Izzie, shrewdly. ¡°I was an explorer, once upon a time.¡±

    ¡°But not anymore,¡± Melena guessed, wondering why Izzie had chosen to live on the Shards, an isolated and lonely island.

    Izzie¡¯s smile was soft and rather sad. ¡°No. Not anymore. I ran into some trouble. Fingers aren¡¯t the only things that can be taken away. Just promise me that you¡¯ll be careful and that you¡¯ll look after each other.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± said Melena, with conviction. ¡°Always.¡±

    <hr>

    Toad was ecstatic to discover that Hazel had recovered her fire-breathing abilities and kept trying to temp her to do it again, dangling radishes in front of her nose. With laughter around her, Melena was free to return to the mystery of the Seeking Solution and the Vessel that paired it. What was its size? What was it made of? What made it so uniquely fitted for the Seeking Solution in particular? She knew of potions that behaved better if brewed under certain conditions. It was always best to boil fairy wings in a silver pot. The Sleeping Elixir was more potent when brewed during the hot months of summer. This Seeking Solution was similar, only so extreme as to only work in one particular container. The cauldron must be made of some rare, expensive material, Melena thought. Diamond-lined and such.

    It was more than an unparalleled interest in potions that was making Melena¡¯s chest tight with excitement: the possibility of learning the truth once and for all about Milo was at Melena¡¯s fingertips. Shooting a glance at Toad as Hazel let out a playful shot of fire, making him duck, Melena knew she needed to keep the identity of the potion to herself. Toad knew how much she longed to find Milo. If he learned of the potion¡¯s true purpose, he would grow wary. If he ever once suspected that she wanted to use the potion for herself, he might take the ingredients from her in order to get his promised gold from Mr. Owl.

    She couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    <hr>

    They stood outside Izzie¡¯s house, Melena¡¯s knapsack packed with provisions from Izzie¡¯s cupboard. Hazel lay curled around Melena¡¯s shoulders. Joe was safely tucked away in Toad¡¯s coat.

    ¡°It was wonderful to meet you,¡± said Izzie, giving Melena a hug and Hazel a gentle pat. ¡°If you ever need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, if we ever get poisoned again, we¡¯ll know where to head,¡± Toad joked, allowing himself to be embraced by Izzie.

    ¡°Now, Agatha will take you to East-of-Burg where you should be able to get everything you need and the train will take you the rest of the way.¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t see why Ags can¡¯t just take us straight on to the Blackens,¡± Toad grumbled as Agatha put the finishing touches on a new archway.

    ¡°She¡¯d freeze instantly, Toad,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°But if I put her in my pocket ¡­¡±

    Melena rolled her eyes as Izzie said, ¡°I think she¡¯s done.¡± She hugged Melena and Toad once more. ¡°Good luck, both of you.¡±

    ¡°See ya ¡¯round, Ags!¡± Toad called to the orange spider sitting on a leaf.

    They took a firmer hold of their possessions, Hazel dug her claws deeper into Melena¡¯s shirt, and with their hands clasped together, they strode underneath the webbed archway and were swept away in a swirl of color and sound.

 Northern Most Tip

    Agatha¡¯s web worked just as well as the first time. They emerged in a thick patch of frigid mist and Toad immediately crossed his arms against the chill. In the distance, he could see the blurred dark shapes of pitched roofs and spires up ahead.

    He turned to Melena, his teeth beginning to chatter. ¡°Fancy we get some of those sweaters?¡±

    Toad had never seen snow and the city of East-of-Burg looked like it had been dusted with powdered sugar. The bricked streets were nearly as bustling as Hickory with buggies and carts, pedestrians hailing each other from across the road. Toad¡¯s chest flooded with nostalgia. He missed Hickory. The clattering, the buzz, the energy. They passed a few people taking their Spit-Fires (dressed in cozy looking sweaters) on walks. Hazel snorted at the sight. The inhabitants of East-of-Burg were dressed far warmer than Toad or Melena in fur-lined coats, wool hats and high boots. Shivering, Toad eyed them with envy, feeling that his coat, which had always managed just fine in the cool Hickory nights, was criminally threadbare.

    Melena quickly spotted a clothing shop squeezed between a barber¡¯s and a ratty looking bookshop.

    Hazel wasn¡¯t allowed inside the clothing store (even though he couldn¡¯t read the words on the sign nailed to the door, the large X over a stenciled dragon made it clear enough) and he waited with the dragon outside under a glowing lamppost while Melena acquired their new assortment of clothing. The moment she returned back onto the street, loaded down with parcels, Toad pulled the new thick, woolly sweater Melena passed him over his head. They stopped by three more shops, even one that made the miniature fire-proof sweaters for Spit-Fires, before Melena deemed them well enough prepared. They then hurried to the train station. But after a short conversation at the ticket booth, they discovered the train to the Blackens wouldn¡¯t depart until tomorrow at six in the morning.

    Shouldering their belongings, they trooped back out of the station and rented a room for the night at the cheapest hotel they could find, which happened to be directly over a stretch of tracks. They stuffed all the new garments into their knapsacks ¡ª Melena had bought Toad a new one. Toad couldn¡¯t imagine how they would need even half of what Melena had bought. They ate some of the cauliflower cheese sandwiches Izzie had packed them and Melena, after a spell of indecision, fed three silvertons into an ancient gas heater.

    Hazel didn¡¯t like the new sweater Melena had bought her. Toad had been highly entertained (and slightly surprised) to watch Melena wrestle with the dragon for a good ten minutes before the checkered sweater was in place. Hazel had always been well behaved with Melena, but apparently she¡¯d never attempted to put a sweater on her.

    ¡°Hazel!¡± Melena¡¯s scold was like a whip. Hazel froze in her attempt to shred the sweater to pieces and the dragon slunk off under one of the beds to ¡ª Toad was sure ¡ª chew up her new garment in peace.

    Melena wound a battered looking alarm clock Toad had found in the depths of a dusty wardrobe, and they turned in, shivering, despite the efforts of the groaning heater in the corner. Their sleep was splintered by a periodic sharp whistle and the roar of pistons as a train barreled under their window, making the room shake, showering them with bits of plaster.

    They were relieved when the alarm blared at five in the morning. They gathered their things (Melena retrieved the sweater Hazel had successfully removed from under the bed and spent another ten minutes wrestling it back on), and hurried into the frigid morning. It was still dark out and Toad nearly cracked a hip slipping on a patch of ice outside the hotel¡¯s door. After snatching up two blisteringly hot meat pasties from a blue-jawed cart vendor for a hasty breakfast, they entered the train station to find it just as busy in the early morning as it had been late yesterday evening.

    Melena payed for two one-way tickets ¡ª Toad couldn¡¯t help noticing how light her money bag was ¡ª and they rushed to the correct platform, weaving their way through the crowd to where a shiny black train waited, issuing copious amounts of steam.

    ¡°East-of-Burg to Blackens Station!¡± a man in a spiffy red uniform shouted, swinging a large bronze bell. ¡°Loading! East-of-Burg to Blackens Station!¡±

    Hazel wound up on Toad¡¯s back (she was furious with Melena) to keep from getting stepped on. They showed their tickets to another red uniformed man and awkwardly boarded the train just as a loud, sharp whistle rent the air.

    ¡°Well then,¡± Melena puffed, trying to move out of the way for more passengers to board, ¡°let¡¯s find seats.¡±

    Slowly and with many ¡®¡¯scuse us¡¯s and ¡®pardon me¡¯s, they inched down the train, peering into compartments for a vacant one.

    ¡°Blimey,¡± Toad grumbled, when they¡¯d finally managed to track down an empty compartment. ¡°I didn¡¯t know the Blackens were such a hot spot.¡±

    ¡°They aren¡¯t,¡± said Melena, looking out the window as the train lurched into action, the platform speeding out of sight. ¡°It¡¯s the least inhabited area in Calendula.¡±

    ¡°So why¡¯s the train packed?¡± Toad asked crossly.

    ¡°Because it¡¯s small. Probably the smallest one in East-of-Burg. No reason to use one of the larger trains when it would be only half-full.¡±

    They settled down on the cushioned seats. Hazel jumped down from Toad¡¯s shoulders onto the seat by the window and stood on her hind-legs, watching the scenery fly past. A muffled sound issued from Toad¡¯s new knapsack and he rooted around in it for Joe.

    The mug took a great gasp of air as if emerging from the depths of a lake. He turned his beady eyes crossly to Toad.

    ¡°Ol¡¯ Joe hopes Master Toad will pardon him for speaking out ¡ª Joe does not mean to offend,¡± though his tone implied otherwise, ¡°but I do not appreciate being buried in your laundry.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Joe,¡± said Toad.

    When it was light enough to see outside their window, they had left East-of-Burg¡¯s smoke-stacks and moved onto frost-covered fields that sparkled like diamonds in the weak sunlight. The ever changing scenery kept them entertained ¡ª neither had ever been on a train before ¡ª but eventually, Melena pulled out All Things Potion and Toad, wanting to stretch his legs, put Joe into his coat pocket and ventured into the corridor. Hazel jumped down from her seat and followed Toad without a backwards glance at Melena; Toad bit down on his tongue to keep from snickering.

    As he explored the train, many passengers (mainly women and young girls) cooed over Hazel in her ¡®wee jumper¡¯, finally causing Toad to forcibly lift the dragon out of the arms of a woman who looked like she had no intention of letting Hazel go any time soon. By the time they¡¯d walked the length of the train and swiftly pinched a few miniature tarts from an unattended tea trolley, the windows had blurred white with falling snow. Toad¡¯s heart gave a great leap of excitement. He scooped up Hazel and rushed back to their carriage.

    ¡°Melena, did you see? It¡¯s snow¡ª¡± As he bounded into their compartment, his words were cut off as swiftly as the swipe of a knife.

    Melena looked at him, beaming. ¡°Isn¡¯t it gorgeous!¡± she said, but Toad¡¯s eyes were locked on the man sitting opposite her. ¡°Oh,¡± she said noticing where Toad was staring. ¡°Toad, this is Mr. Cutter.¡±

    Cutter¡¯s smile was cheeky; he wiggled his fingers in greeting.

    Toad felt winded, as if the vibrating floor had disappeared beneath his feet.

    How ¡ª

    How in the blazes ¡ª

    They had lost Cutter! There was no way he could have tracked them to and from the Shards! How was he sitting on the very same train as them, speeding to the Blackens?

    ¡°Hi,¡± Toad grunted, unsmiling.

    ¡°You two¡¯ve had quite the road trip,¡± said Cutter happily, lounging in Toad¡¯s seat. A toothpick was between his teeth. ¡°Your friend was just telling me, coming all the way from Hickory. Visiting family?¡±

    ¡°Just sightseeing,¡± said Melena.

    Toad didn¡¯t miss the supercilious curve of Cutter¡¯s lips. ¡°Long way to sightsee,¡± he said lightly, hooded eyes shifting to Toad.

    Just then a man in a black and white uniform yelled from down the passageway, ¡°Last call for the dining car!¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Whoops, don¡¯t want to miss that!¡± said Cutter. He rose and readjusted his coat. ¡°Best be careful in these parts,¡± he said with a farewell tip of his low-brimmed hat. ¡°This is a dangerous county for city dwellers.¡±

    Toad ground his teeth. How dare Cutter. How dare he lounge about and ooze his stink all over the place.

    Cutter¡¯s tongue moved the toothpick to the other corner of his mouth, smile sharpening as he pushed past Toad, their shoulders banging, making Hazel hiss in annoyance. Toad waited until Cutter had disappeared out of sight down the passageway, before he slid the door shut and rounded on Melena, Hazel jumping down from his arms.

    ¡°What did he say to you?¡±

    Melena blinked in surprise at Toad¡¯s harsh tone.

    ¡°Nothing. Just chatting.¡±

    ¡°Chatting about what?¡± he demanded.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Melena repeated, growing annoyed. ¡°He was passing by and asked me if I had a pen. Why does it matter?¡±

    Toad flopped into his seat, relief taking the place of some of the worry churning in his gut. Cutter hadn¡¯t told Melena who he was. Toad was sure the murderous scum had slipped into their compartment just to show Toad how easily he could do it; he¡¯d probably been lurking in the passageway, waiting for Toad to leave. Toad was unnerved by Cutter¡¯s tracking skills, but more than anything, Toad was unnerved by Cutter¡¯s dedication to the task. Toad had thought that Cutter would give up following them after they vanished from Licklade, thanks to Agatha¡¯s web trick, and that he¡¯d head back to Hickory, but instead Cutter had moved on to East-of-Burg, waiting at the only train station that would take them to the Blackens. Toad chewed on the inside of his cheek, staring out of the snowy window, trying to think of some way to dodge Cutter. Suddenly Melena said in low voice, ¡°He wasn¡¯t another Snatcher, was he?¡±

    Toad turned to her. She looked so serious and solemn that Toad didn¡¯t even consider enforcing the idea. ¡°No. He just took me by surprise is all. But ¡­ he gave me a bad feeling. I wouldn¡¯t chitchat with him anymore.¡±

    Melena looked a bit thrown by this, but thankfully, chose not to argue.

    <hr>

    Onward the train plunged, the snow growing so thick that it was impossible to see through the window. Toad didn¡¯t venture back out of the compartment again, even as Hazel grumbled, scratching at the glass door in boredom. Cutter never returned, Toad didn¡¯t see him pass by once, but that didn¡¯t soothe Toad¡¯s nerves. He¡¯d made his point. He¡¯d follow them ¡¯til the end, and whether or not Cutter would attempt to take the ingredients to Owl himself, after doing away with them, was a matter that Toad would have to face when the time came.

    As the luggage rack over their heads rattled, Toad considered telling Melena the truth about all of it: Owl, the payment, Cutter. He¡¯d told so many lies. Heaping, stinking, mounds of lies. They¡¯d been through so much ¡ª gone so far ¡ª that he couldn¡¯t believe Melena would abandon him to search for the Mirg water and moonflower on his own, as he¡¯d believed so long ago. But something kept him mute, teeth chewing pensively on the inside of his cheek and with a jarring start, Toad realized what it was: disappointment. He didn¡¯t want Melena to be disappointed in him.

    So many people had shaken their heads in disappointment over the years: Jack, Wilson, Lynch. He didn¡¯t want Melena to do the same ¡ª the very thought made his chest constrict. So he hitched on a grin and tried to help Melena work through the crossword in a discarded copy of the paper, though the uneasy feeling that he was, once again, making the wrong choice, did not leave.

    When it grew dark outside their window, Melena suggested they get changed. It was awkward in their small compartment but they managed to put on all the garments Melena had purchased.

    And Toad felt ridiculous.

    With five sweaters, a new beaver coat, gloves, two pairs of socks, flannel-lined pants, a thick, woolen scarf wrapped three times around his neck and a rabbit fur hat, he was sweltering. He felt awkward and stupid, like a blown-up version of himself; he couldn¡¯t keep his arms down by his sides. The only consolation was that Melena looked just the same.

    The train began to slow and Toad peered out the window, but it was so dark he couldn¡¯t make out anything. Hazel, still in her checkered sweater, regardless of her numerous attempts otherwise, allowed Melena to pick her up. With a long squeal of brakes and a lurch, the train stopped and finally Toad could make out lights outside the window, blurred by swiftly falling snow.

    ¡°Here we go,¡± said Melena with nervous excitement.

    If maneuvering down the narrow train with just their bulging knapsacks had been tedious it was nothing to trying to walk with so many garments layered one on top of the other. His rabbit-fur hat kept slipping down over his eyes and just as he was about to snatch it and the stupid scarf off, just to be able to breathe, the train¡¯s doors slid open and a blast of cold unlike anything Toad had ever felt ripped through him. Stunned speechless, Toad stumbled onto the platform as passengers around him tried to exit the train. Wind roared in his ears. Snow blinded him. Hazel shrieked. Turning, Toad spotted her green pointed face peering over the top button of Melena¡¯s coat which she had just scampered inside for sanctuary. It was clear to Toad that he in fact did not have enough sweaters on and needed at least half a dozen more. He gripped his hat to keep the vicious wind from blowing it straight off. How anyone could function in such weather dumbfounded him.

    Passengers all around them were bent double against the furious blizzard, hurrying on their way. To where, Toad had no idea.

    ¡°We¡¯ve gotta get under some cover!¡± he shouted into Melena¡¯s ear. ¡°An inn or something!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask someone!¡± Melena roared back.

    She quickly crossed the platform where a man in a thick beaver-skinned coat holding a clipboard stood. After a swift conversation, Melena hurried back to him.

    ¡°There¡¯s a tavern across the road,¡± she told him.

    ¡°What road?¡±

    ¡°That road!¡± Melena pointed and through squinted eyes Toad could just make out the flickering of lights through the whipping snow.

    As quickly as they could, they trudged through snow so thick they sunk up to their knees. At least the front steps of the tavern had been shoveled clear, but snow was quickly mounding up again.

    ¡°Blimey,¡± Toad whispered fervently, when they¡¯d finally stepped into the warmth of the building. ¡°Let¡¯s stay in here forever.¡±

    The little he could see of Melena¡¯s pink face ¡ª the part that wasn¡¯t covered in scarf and hat ¡ª scowled.

    Half a dozen tables were occupied by people who seemed twice the size of any normal human. But after a second glance, Toad realized their size was due (like them) to multiple layers of clothing and thick, bristly coats that looked like they belonged to bears.

    Toad shuffled over to a table while Melena went to the bar to order food and see about lodging. One thing was for sure, they wouldn¡¯t be getting any water from any spring in a blizzard.

    ¡°The proprietor says the storm should blow over tonight,¡± said Melena, taking a seat opposite him. ¡°But it looks like it might be harder to get to the springs than I¡¯d thought. When I brought it up, I thought she might slap me.¡±

    Toad was startled. When Izzie had said the Springs of Mirg were out of bounds, he¡¯d thought she¡¯d been exaggerating. He had only jokingly mentioned the idea of walking there on their own. But as if to confirm Izzie¡¯s remarks, the heavy-set woman from the bar strode over to their table and put down their mutton stew with more force than necessary, her glare furious.

    ¡°We¡¯re not gonna walk there, are we? I was kidding when I said that!¡± He shot a horrified glance out the window where the whistling storm raged. ¡°We¡¯d freeze in seconds!¡±

    ¡°Someone might be willing to take us partway,¡± said Melena.

    But as it turned out, none of the burly bear men warming themselves over huge tankards of drink and stew had any interest whatsoever in taking them, partway or not. The mere mention of the springs set many of their hackles rising, brusquely turning their backs against Toad and Melena, stating emphatically that the springs were suicide and that they wouldn¡¯t be caught dead there. ¡°And neither should you, you stupid kids,¡± one grunted. After they had questioned everyone in the tavern to no avail, they ordered themselves some hot tea (mostly to appease the scowling barmaid) and returned to their table.

    ¡°It¡¯s because of the Slinkwings, isn¡¯t it?¡± said Toad darkly. ¡°That¡¯s why everyone¡¯s so scared.¡±

    Melena nodded. ¡°My book says the Springs of Mirg is their nesting ground, but really,¡± she said, growing impatient, ¡°they swim all over the Blackens. It¡¯s like being scared of a shark.¡±

    ¡°A shark that can breathe fire,¡± Toad corrected dully. ¡°That also happens to be, what? Thirty feet long?¡±

    Melena pursed her lips. ¡°It¡¯s not as if we¡¯re asking for them to take us to the springs. Just part way will do, just enough to ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Well, none of these whelps is gonna do it,¡± Toad grumbled. ¡°Bunch of daisies,¡± he spat, making a gruff-looking man pause in drinking and turn to glare at Toad.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think getting into a fight will help our cause,¡± said Melena quickly.

    ¡°It¡¯d make me feel better.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll find a way, Toad,¡± said Melena, acting as if she hadn¡¯t heard him. She dug out her map, laying it between them. Toad¡¯s eyes immediately zeroed in on the all ice peninsula known as Mirg. ¡°We can get to the springs by land or by water. I assumed land travel would be easier than asking for someone to sail us through dragon-infested waters, but there is still that option. And once we¡¯ve gotten the water ¡ª¡±

    ¡°If we get the water, you mean,¡± said Toad moodily.

    ¡°Once we¡¯ve gotten the water,¡± Melen plowed on relentlessly, ¡°it¡¯s off to Piddleton and then Hickory.¡±

    ¡°But no one¡¯s gonna take us!¡± Toad exploded.

    A wheezing laugh came up through the table, making Toad and Melena pause. Toad reached down and pulled Joe from his knapsack. The mug was practically in tears with silent laughter.

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny, Joe?¡± said Toad.

    ¡°Master Toad is so forgetful!¡± said Joe, shaking with merriment.

    ¡°We didn¡¯t forget anything,¡± Toad argued.

    ¡°But, Master, you have! You forgot me!¡±

    ¡°What the dung are you talking about?!¡± Toad flared, growing increasingly aggravated. ¡°You¡¯re right here!¡±

    Joe laughed louder, making the gruff man turn again, but Melena leaned forward and said eagerly, ¡°Joe, do you know how to get to the springs?¡±

    Toad looked at her, startled. Joe blinked his marble eyes and sighed in a revolting coo, ¡°Sweet damsel has not forgotten Ol¡¯ Joe!¡±

    ¡°You know how to get to the springs?¡± Toad said, indignant. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something?¡±

    ¡°Because it was too much fun watching us squirm,¡± said Melena dryly.

    Joe had the grace to look ashamed.

    ¡°Well, stop biting your tongue and tell us!¡± said Toad as the door of the tavern opened, sending snow rushing three feet into the room.

    ¡°Ol¡¯ Joe cannot lead Master Toad to the springs you so desire, but he does know of the man who shall.¡±

    ¡°You know someone who will take us to the springs? Really?¡±

    ¡°Aye, Master Toad.¡± Joe¡¯s eyes glittered.

    ¡°Who?¡± asked Melena, looking suddenly wary.

    ¡°The one who can take sweet lady and Master to the heart of Mirg? Why, none other than the bold and powerful, the great and wicked Dragon Hunter ¡ª Horace the Horrid! And how luck shines upon lord and lady, for his men have just arrived.¡±

 The Firefly

    Toad and Melena jerked around in time to see two large men troop to a corner table leaving a trail of melted snow in their wake.

    ¡°How d¡¯you recognize them?¡± asked Toad, turning back to Joe. ¡°How d¡¯you know they¡¯re with this Horace person?¡±

    ¡°Why do you think they¡¯d help us?¡± Melena asked, eying the corner where the men had settled with slight apprehension. ¡°I¡¯m not sure we should get help from someone called ¡®Horrid¡¯.¡±

    ¡°There is no need to fear, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe insisted. ¡°The great pirate captain¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± said Toad quickly. ¡°Pirate captain?¡±

    ¡°Master has never heard of the greatest of all Thief Lords?¡± asked Joe, voice brimming with incredulity.

    ¡°Greater than Jack the Barbarian?¡± said Toad, surprised.

    ¡°Well ¡­ dear Jack had his impressive qualities,¡± Joe admitted, ¡°but the swash-buckling, bloodthirsty scalawag of the Northern Seas? Ah, Master Toad, there is no competition!¡±

    ¡°Bloodthirsty?¡± said Melena, alarmed.

    ¡°Is that why you think he¡¯ll be willing to take us to the springs?¡± asked Toad, growing excited. ¡°He¡¯s taken you there before?¡±

    ¡°Horace the Horrid goes where he pleases,¡± Joe stated emphatically. ¡°One does so when one is a pirate.¡±

    A pirate! Toad¡¯s stomach swooped. A real, actual pirate. And Toad would get to meet him! Maybe (Toad¡¯s heart quivered at the thought) Captain Horace had heard of his father. Maybe they¡¯d even had swash-buckling, bloodthirsty, pirate skirmishes together!

    ¡°What¡¯s he like?¡± he asked Joe excitedly.

    ¡°Finest of the fine! Scurviest of the scurvy! Foulest of the foul! Shall I speak of his women?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± said Melena, revolted. ¡°How can someone be fine and foul at the same time?¡±

    ¡°By being a Thief Lord!¡± cried Toad, ecstatic. He was on his feet, had already taken two quick strides toward the corner table, when Melena grabbed him and pulled him back.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should, Toad,¡± she said. She was eying the table nervously.

    ¡°But Joe says they¡¯ll help us,¡± Toad argued.

    ¡°But they¡¯re pirates!¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± said Toad, the giddiness in his voice a stark contrast to Melena¡¯s trepidation.

    ¡°But why would they help us?¡± said Melena, refusing to let go of his arm. ¡°Think, Toad! We have nothing to offer them. I don¡¯t have enough money left to even begin to tempt them and ¡ª ¡± Melena went suddenly still, her eyes on Joe.

    Toad, immediately realizing what Melena was thinking, clutched Joe to his chest. ¡°Oh, no! We ain¡¯t doing that again!¡±

    ¡°Think about it, Toad!¡± Melena implored. ¡°Pirates don¡¯t just help people, and we¡¯re asking them to put themselves in danger ¡ª¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re pirates!¡± Toad countered, furiously. ¡°They always put themselves in danger!¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t take us without getting something in return!¡± Melena snapped, losing patience. ¡°Go ask them ¡ª go on! Go and see how they react. If they don¡¯t throttle you, they¡¯ll laugh you out of the tavern.¡±

    ¡°But we¡¯ve got Joe!¡± said Toad in a heated undertone. ¡°Thieves have to do what the Thief Lord says ¡ª it¡¯s the rules!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re asking them to risk their lives for us, not house us. I think ¡­¡± Melena bit her lip before plowing on with determination, ¡°I think we should ask Joe how he feels about being traded.¡±

    ¡°M¡¯lady?¡±

    The mug had gone rigid in Toad¡¯s hands; his bright blue marble eyes were fixed on Melena as if she had sprouted a second head.

    ¡°We¡¯re discussing your fate as much as ours,¡± said Melena. Her apologetic smile was as much for Toad as for Joe. ¡°You have every right to have your say in the matter.¡±

    Joe looked floored. The sight of the stunned mug made Toad wonder if anyone had ever asked Joe, in all his years of being dragged across Calendula, what it was that he wanted. The realization unsettled him. He didn¡¯t want to give up Joe. Joe had been the first thing in his life to go right and there was still the chance when this mess was over and done with that he could return to the Ramblers, a feat that would be far easier with Joe in his pocket¡­

    Bone would never give up Joe. Never. Not in a million years. Toad doubted even Jack would let the mug slip from his fingers willingly.

    But did he want to be like Bone?

    Toad¡¯s throat felt unnaturally constricted and he sounded like he had a head cold as he said, ¡°Yeah, Joe. If ¡ª if you wanna go with Horace, you can.¡±

    Joe was flabbergasted. His eyes darted between their faces, as if expecting them to take it back. Finally, quivering like jelly, too moved for speech, Joe nodded, eyes flooded with tears.

    <hr>

    Toad would have laughed at the expression on the pirates¡¯ faces when they sat down without warning at their table, pushing Joe toward them and offering the deal, but he wasn¡¯t feeling very cheerful.

    Horace the Horrid must have been pining over his lost mug as much as Joe had been pining over his lost captain; the pirates recognized Joe immediately and didn¡¯t hesitate in agreeing to take them to their ship, assuring them that Captain Morley (Toad had frowned in confusion at this, but then realized that Horrid couldn¡¯t possibly be Horace¡¯s last name) would be more than willing to listen to their terms; whether he chose to agree to them, they could not say. The pirates would have set out right then and there in the dark of night, but the blizzard kept them at bay.

    ¡°In the morn,¡± said one of the pirates, placing Joe back upon the table with care.

    Morning seemed to arrive faster than usual, a loud rap on their door rousting them from slumber. They dressed (Hazel once again burrowed inside Melena¡¯s coat) and followed the pirates outside. Though the air was still and no snow was falling, it was bitterly cold. In the pale light, Toad could see the aftereffects of the blizzard. He thought for a moment that he was still asleep after all, for surely this couldn¡¯t be real.

    Bluish-white snow covered everything, smooth and unblemished. Now Toad could see the tiny town the train had deposited them at: several severely pitched roofs, the snow piled right up to the eves. As Toad watched, what he¡¯d taken for as an attic window flew open and a bundled-up woman stepped out in snow boots, quickly striding down the slope toward a protected wood pile. The pirates had been driven to the tavern on a toothless man¡¯s sleigh. Toad watched in fascination as the old codger pulled two burly reindeer from the tavern¡¯s barn and fitted them into their harnesses, while the pirates strapped down provisions. With a wave of a hand, Toad and Melena awkwardly settled inside the sleigh, sandwiched between the pirates and the toothless driver. With a crack of reins, they were off.

    Toad was thrilled by the speeding sleigh and didn¡¯t even notice the biting chill against his cheeks and nose. They could hardly move, squeezed as they were, but Melena poked him in the shoulder and pointed; Toad looked just in time to see a winter fox, coat so white it was nearly invisible, dash away. The pirates didn¡¯t speak to them, only periodically shouting at the driver, jabbing their thumbs this way and that, giving the impression that they were arguing over which way to go. There weren¡¯t any buildings here, only sweeping, endless snow. Toad twisted around and watched the twin lines the sleigh cut, the only marks on a canvas of white, as if they were the only humans in the world.

    ¡°I know that was hard for you,¡± Melena said softly, leaning into Toad¡¯s side so the pirates wouldn¡¯t hear. ¡°Offering Joe. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Toad smiled nonchalantly at her, but his hold tightened over the knapsack in his lap where Joe was tucked inside.

    ¡°I always knew I wouldn¡¯t have him forever. It¡¯s good to know he¡¯s happy, you know.¡±

    He¡¯d thought he¡¯d kept his voice light, but the smile Melena gave him was a little too understanding for Toad¡¯s comfort.

    ¡°Not many would have done it.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Toad admitted, picking at his bag¡¯s strap. ¡°Probably not.¡±

    Joe had been so giddy when they¡¯d turned in the night before that he¡¯d kept them up much longer than usual, sharing all sorts of daring tales of Captain Horace ¡®the Horrid¡¯ Morley, and Toad and Melena hadn¡¯t been able to bring themselves to stuff him away, as they would have done before. As the sleigh cut through the snow, Toad replayed those stories, wondering if Morley was really as true to his word as Joe claimed he was.

    <hr>

    The reindeer climbed a sharp hill and at the crest Melena gasped and Toad leaned forward. On the other side of the slope was an icy bank, a boat half pulled up onto the snow, and farther out to sea was unmistakably a pirate ship. The pirates transferred their goods to the small boat and paid the driver. As they were rowed toward the ship, Toad took in every inch of its bulk. Jet black ¡ª even the sails ¡ª it groaned in the current like a slumbering beast. Shouting and a string of raucous song drifted down to them over the frigid water, and Toad spied more pirates clambering about on deck, tugging on the rigging and hailing their approaching boat.

    Ropes with hooks were flung over the side and the pirates swiftly attached their bundles. A long rope ladder tossed overboard nearly hit Toad on the head. With a prod from one of the pirates, he shouldered his knapsack and climbed on board, Melena at his ankles.

    ¡°Who the devil are you?¡±

    Toad swallowed. They were surrounded by pirates; bearded, scarred, pierced, and tattooed, they were a motley crew that would have put thuggish Bone on edge. Pistols and cutlasses hung at their hips. As Toad watched, a pirate with a long jagged scar running across one blind eye to his upper lip, fingered the sword at his side with a loving caress that reminded him unpleasantly of Cutter.

    ¡°I asked you a question, rodent!¡± said the scarred man. Without warning, he grabbed Toad¡¯s arm, his cutlass glinting in the sunlight. Quick as a flash, Hazel slithered from Melena¡¯s coat, leapt forward and bit the man on the hand. With a shout, the pirate jerked backward, releasing Toad, but not before making another grab for Hazel.

    ¡°No!¡± Melena yelled, but the pirate had Hazel by the neck. She snapped her jaws and twisted in the air like a fish on a hook. The pirate lifted her high and shouted to the men around him, ¡°This one¡¯s a sardine! I say we throw it back!¡± The pirates laughed and Toad tried to snatch Hazel back, but Hazel¡¯s sharp claws found the man¡¯s hand and with a slash, she sliced his wrist. He dropped her. Hazel puffed up her chest, smoke billowing from her nostrils, wings flexing, spitting like a viper. But the sight of the furious dragon in her checkered sweater sent the pirates into peals of laughter.

    The pirate ruefully rubbed his bleeding wrist. ¡°Vicious little sardine. I¡¯ve been needing a new belt,¡± he added with a dangerous twist of his mouth.

    ¡°Stand down, Smedley!¡± one of the pirates from their boat ordered, swinging his long legs over the railing as Melena snatched up Hazel. ¡°They¡¯ve come to speak with the captain.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s two tadpoles got to do with Captain?¡± Smedley asked, his lower jaw jutting out aggressively. More pirates had noticed the commotion and the cluster around them grew dense, pressing Toad and Melena together. It was taking everything Melena had to keep Hazel from squirming out of her arms and flying at Smedley¡¯s face. ¡°We sent you and Booth to get supplies, Mabbott. Not milk maids.¡±

    The pirates laughed again. Mabbott¡¯s pale cheeks tinged pink, but that may have been from the cold.

    ¡°These milk maids have Joe, you one-eyed, bow-legged blowfish!¡±

    Mabbott must have been made of fiercer stuff for Toad never would have called the scarred Smedley a bow-legged blowfish, at least not to his face. And perhaps it didn¡¯t happen very often for the insult seemed to have taken Smedley completely by surprise. He gaped stupidly. In fact, Toad realized that not one of the pirates had surged forward to defend Smedley¡¯s honor. They all stood rooted to the deck.

    ¡°Joe?¡± Smedley whispered.

    Mabbott nudged Toad in the shoulder with the back of his hand. ¡°Go on, boy,¡± he said with his permanent scowl in place. ¡°Bring out Ol¡¯ Joe for this daft blighter.¡±

    The pirates were silent, all eyes upon Toad, making him suddenly hot around the collar. He groped inside his bag and pulled Joe out for them to see. They let out a bellowing roar, stomping the deck with their heavy boots, punching the air, swinging their cutlasses, as if Toad held the brightest of diamonds in his hand. Toad and Melena shrank closer together as the pirates swarmed them; Hazel actually breathed fire, nearly catching their coats aflame. It seemed very likely that they would be trampled or impaled ¡ªDid you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°What¡¯s this blasted kerfuffle?¡± a new voice boomed. ¡°Quiet, I say, yeh gormless gargoyles!¡±

    The pirates parted and a broad chested man emerged. His beard was long, wiry and steel gray. Half of his face sported a gruesome burn; his eyes were such a piercing blue, they looked like bits of chiseled ice. Those eyes were wide now, latched onto Joe.

    Joe grinned around Toad¡¯s gloved fingers and Horace the Horrid actually swayed on the spot. ¡°By the goddess,¡± Horace whispered, almost to himself. He seemed to have forgotten that his crew stood around him; he looked dazed, hypnotized. Toad¡¯s unease grew. Mabbott and Booth had told him Horace would listen to their bargain, but Toad now wondered if Horace would snatch Joe from his fingers like Smedley had snatched Hazel and push them both overboard. They were surrounded. Outnumbered. Two children with the smallest of dragons in the midst of a hoard of pirates, greed and hunger in every eye. Melena was as tense as a bowstring beside him; he could practically hear her thoughts mimicking his own.

    Trust? Trust a pirate?

    ¡°My Captain,¡± said Joe, his baritone warm as drink. ¡°It has been too long.¡±

    A gash of a mouth spread into a broad grin. ¡°That it has, old friend,¡± Horace agreed, his eyes crinkling. ¡°That it has! By the goddess! What brings yeh back to the Firefly?¡±

    ¡°Master Toad and Lady Melena are in need of your assistance, my Captain,¡± Joe explained.

    Horace¡¯s eyes roved over Toad and Melena as if noticing them for the first time.

    ¡°Aye? And what business has brought these two landlubbers so far from home?¡±

    Toad¡¯s throat unstuck. ¡°How do you know we¡¯ve come a long way? Captain,¡± he added, quickly.

    Horace¡¯s laugh was as gruff as the rest of him. ¡°Did yeh buy the whole shop?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s cold!¡± said Melena, bristling.

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± said Toad over the renewed waves of laughter. ¡°We¡¯re from Hickory.¡±

    ¡°And so I ask again. What brings lord and lady to me humble ship?¡±

    A few of the pirates snickered and Toad thought he spotted the joke. The ship ¡ª Firefly? ¡ª looked anything but humble. Gold filigree and intricate carvings on the main mast made it look like a serpent was twisted around it. Every inch of the ship was spotless, its black paint gleaming.

    ¡°We need you to take us to the Springs of Mirg,¡± said Toad.

    Horace¡¯s expression changed to mild surprise, but the pirates, save Mabbott, all guffawed as if Toad had uttered a hilarity. Smedley roared the loudest, slapping a thick palm across his thigh.

    ¡°And why would I be doing something like that?¡± Horace asked.

    Toad swallowed thickly, prodded into action by the gentle press of Melena¡¯s shoulder against his own. ¡°Because if you take us there, we¡¯ll give you Joe. And I think you¡¯ll do it,¡± Toad added, voice growing strong, ¡°because Joe trusts you. Joe claims you for one of his own and he wouldn¡¯t do that if you disrespected the Code of the Bewitched Beer Mug of Thieves.¡±

    Horace stared at Toad for a very long time, the entire ship suddenly as silent as the grave. Then, when Toad began to once again doubt the plan, Horace asked, ¡°What might yeh be needing at Mirg, young lord?¡±

    Melena took a half step forward. ¡°Just a flask or two from the water there,¡± she said quickly. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± Horace¡¯s beard twitched with a fresh smile. ¡°That¡¯s all, yeh say, little miss?¡± He limped toward them, the pirates closing in behind him. He looked over Toad¡¯s head out toward the iron sea. He was so tall, Toad barely came up to his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll take yeh to the springs, but I won¡¯t make no promises fer what may happen there.¡± At Toad¡¯s widened eyes he added, ¡°No, lad. I¡¯ve no interest in killing yeh. I honor the Law of Joe, as only a proper Thief Lord does, and I know I¡¯m looking at one right now.¡±

    Toad felt a warmth spread through his chest, chasing away his fear. Yes, he could trust this pirate. He shifted Joe to one hand and held out the other for Horace. ¡°A deal then? You¡¯ll take us to and from the springs in payment for Joe?¡±

    Horace¡¯s blue eyes blazed. He gripped Toad¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Aye, lad. That I will.¡±

    <hr>

    Horace set his crew to work and Toad and Melena were quickly underfoot. Mabbott led them below deck and pointed to two vacated hammocks in the large sleeping quarters for the crew. They tucked their bags away and Mabbott passed them slices of salted bear meat and a flagon of fresh water.

    ¡°How far are the springs?¡± Toad asked.

    ¡°With good sail, three, four days.¡±

    The ship suddenly tipped; Melena lost her balance and with a yelp fell into a nearby hammock.

    Mabbott eyed them. ¡°Either of you have sea legs?¡± he asked.

    ¡°If that means have we been sailing, no,¡± said Toad, helping hoist Melena out of the swaying hammock, ¡°we haven¡¯t.¡±

    Mabbott didn¡¯t look surprised. He kicked a bucket; it skidded across the floor to them. ¡°Don¡¯t miss,¡± he grunted, before mounting the stairs back up deck.

    Toad had the feeling that Mabbott had been ordered by Horace to keep an eye on them. After his short trip on deck, he returned and never once left their side. His pale face and long limbs put Toad in mind of a cave-dwelling spider, but that reminded him of the Dunthur monster and he stopped that train of thought right then and there. The last thing he needed while sleeping amongst pirates was to wake them by having a nightmare.

    Now that he wasn¡¯t worried about being flung overboard, Toad watched the pirates with open fascination. All his years of imagining what life would be like aboard a pirate ship was finally before him. He hadn¡¯t expected it to be so busy. The pirates were hardly ever idle. The ship seemed even more like a sea creature now that the anchor had been raised, lurching and straining. The pirates were its tamers, drivers, soothers, for how they cooed over the ship.

    Embarrassingly, Toad and Melena both discovered what not having sea legs meant and spent many rounds over the bucket before Mabbott took pity on them and gave them a spicy root to chew on. ¡°It helps,¡± he said and with relief they discovered he was right.

    If they were underfoot wherever they went on the Firefly, it was nothing to how underfoot Hazel was with Toad and Melena, which was dangerous. Treading on Hazel¡¯s tail caused more damage than Toad was up for. The dragon was constantly steaming like a kettle and didn¡¯t like it when Melena or Toad tried to pick her up to settle her down, wriggling like an eel in their arms.

    ¡°I think she¡¯s realized what kind of ship we¡¯re on,¡± Toad muttered to Melena.

    When Joe had said that Horace the Horrid was a Dragon Hunter, he hadn¡¯t been exaggerating. Lines of harpoons glistened in racks, long and strong, sharper than swords, and when Mabbott led them into the Captain¡¯s Quarters for dinner that evening, it was to see the monstrous head of a Slinkwing mounted on the wall.

    Toad had been braced for this, but the sight of the creature still took his breath away. After the confusion over rocs and rauks, Toad had asked Melena to show him a picture of a Slinkwing. But Edgar Bartholomew had not bothered to illustrate the dragon. His description had been vivid enough.

    But words, Toad realized, did not do this creature justice.

    The head mounted on the wall jutted out into the room five feet. A long mane of seaweed green hair fell from its jawline like a beard. Reptilian and serpentine, with foot-long fangs, its green-blue hide glistened a strange, electric green, even in death. As they settled at the dining table, Toad understood why the sight of Hazel had been so hilarious to the pirates: compared to a Slinkwing, she was a sardine.

    Horace sat at the head of the table, Mabbott pulled up the chair on his left and much to Toad¡¯s annoyance Smedley joined them, taking the place at Horace¡¯s right.

    Toad had feared they would be eating nothing but salty strips of bear meat, but as the dishes were uncovered, he was delighted to see a succulent meal and was triply grateful for the sea sickness root. Feeling that the entire venture was all thanks to Joe, Toad placed him on the table by his elbow and Horace grinned, pleased.

    The clink of cutlery filled the cabin until Horace said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t use yer little one as bait.¡±

    Toad looked around and saw that Horace had spoken to Melena, who had not lifted her fork at all, but was staring at the dragon head on the opposite wall.

    She glared at Horace and Hazel growled from under the table which only made Horace and Smedley bark out with fresh laughter.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a hunting trip, Captain Morley,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°Yeh¡¯re in the Blackens, little miss. Every day is a hunting day. It¡¯s a shame,¡± he added, leisurely stretching his stiff leg under the table, ¡°that yeh didn¡¯t come earlier in the season. I had a whole case of Mirg water.¡±

    ¡°What happened to it?¡± cried Toad in dismay.

    ¡°Sold it, boy. Yeh don¡¯t think I hold on to the stuff meself ¡ª not with the purses people throw to just have a sip.¡±

    ¡°And it¡¯s worth it?¡± asked Melena, eying the dragon¡¯s head with apprehension. ¡°To risk the Slinkwings?¡±

    ¡°The Slinkwings are nesting this time of year,¡± Horace explained, ¡°which makes it the best and worst time to seek out the springs.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°Best as they¡¯re curled up in their ice caves, tending to their brood. Worst as they¡¯re never more fiercely protective of their territory.¡± At the paleness of Toad¡¯s and Melena¡¯s faces, Horace casually waved a broad hand. ¡°It¡¯s too early fer the eggs to be hatching. If yeh¡¯d come a month later, I wouldn¡¯t have taken yeh, not even fer Joe.¡± He tipped his hat in apology and Joe smiled broadly.

    ¡°But you ¡­ you hunt them,¡± said Toad, unable to stop his eyes from glancing nervously at the head. ¡°Joe said you¡¯re a Dragon Hunter.¡±

    ¡°Aye, lad, that I am. Of course we use proper protection. Can¡¯t sail these waters without it, ¡¯specially so close to Mirg, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a fool. Nothing more dangerous than a Slinkwing mother. But if I have to fight, I fight to the death. Each devil I kill is another mound of gorents fer me and the Firefly. No better armor than Slinkwing hide¡± ¡ª he plucked at his own fancy coat which had the same hints of bright green ¡ª ¡°and their blood burns hotter and longer than any oil.¡± He pointed toward the glowing lamps around the room and Toad now noticed a strange greenish glow emitting from the lamps. ¡°In these parts where the cold can rip the flesh from yer bones, yeh¡¯ll pay a pretty price fer a barrel of Slinkwing blood. There ain¡¯t a more lucrative venture.¡±

    ¡°But like you say,¡± said Melena, obviously struggling to keep her voice calm, ¡°we¡¯re unlikely to meet any Slinkwings. They¡¯re in their nests, so we¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Mabbott cut his eyes toward Smedley who leaned back in his chair, leering broader than ever before, picking at his teeth with a steak knife.

    <hr>

    Toad couldn¡¯t sleep. He¡¯d sought refuge in all kinds of places as a Rambler ¡ª slumber in a hammock should have been easy. But the grunts and snores of the pirates around him and the periodic groan of the ship was proving too difficult to overcome, and he was nervous ¡ª more nervous than he wanted to admit about the Slinkwings. He sat up, wanting to chat with Melena and was surprised and slightly annoyed to find her sound asleep in her own hammock.

    He swung his legs out of the hanging bed and rose. After putting on his boots and donning a few more sweaters and his rabbit fur hat, he climbed the narrow staircase to the main deck, choosing to leave Joe behind; Hazel was wrapped snuggly around the mug and Toad didn¡¯t want to press his luck by waking her unceremoniously.

    Toad spotted a few pirates still on deck. It seemed the Firefly was never left completely unattended. They paid him no mind as he crossed the deck to the rails. He looked down at the dark water and the memory of the Slinkwing¡¯s head loomed before Toad¡¯s eyes. Was there one lurking just beneath the surface, ready to leap up and snatch Toad in its jaws?

    ¡°Not wise to waste sleep, boy.¡±

    Toad spun around. Horace stood before him, his long gray hair twisting in a sudden cruel wind. Toad shivered.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t,¡± he admitted.

    Horace¡¯s gash of a mouth smiled. He stood at the railing beside Toad, staring out at the darkness as he¡¯d done earlier that day, as if he could see something that was hidden from everyone else.

    ¡°Yeh don¡¯t know, do yeh?¡± Horace asked.

    ¡°Know what?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°Joe. Yeh don¡¯t know what he is. If yeh did, yeh wouldn¡¯t be givin¡¯ him up so easily.¡±

    Toad disagreed. Nesting habits or not, Toad wouldn¡¯t call sailing into dragon-infested waters ¡®easy¡¯.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got to get that Mirg water,¡± he said gruffly, mentally stomping down on the envy that had sprung up in his chest at the thought that Joe preferred Horace. ¡°It¡¯s more important.¡±

    Horace faced him. ¡°Yeh wouldn¡¯t be sayin¡¯ that if yeh knew.¡±

    Toad was growing annoyed. ¡°If I knew what? Captain,¡± he added, apologetically.

    ¡°Yeh see Joe as a funny little enchantment. How could yeh not? But he¡¯s more. Lad, he¡¯s more than that. Ever ask him where he came from?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Toad, honestly. ¡°It¡¯s never come up.¡±

    ¡°Joe keeps it to himself ¡ª doesn¡¯t like to talk about it. Scared of that place.¡±

    ¡°What place?¡± asked Toad at once. The only time he¡¯d seen Joe truly frightened had been in the Dunthur caves. Was this place also underground?

    ¡°His home. The land Joe hails from. The wonders it must hold,¡± Horace breathed.

    ¡°Like a treasure trove?¡± asked Toad, excited.

    ¡°Treasure. Glories. All I know is, the place that made Joe must hold incredible things.¡±

    Toad wanted to press for more information, but he had the feeling that Horace had given all he would, or perhaps all he knew. The cold was becoming unbearable, but a new question kept him at the rail.

    ¡°Captain Morley, you ¡ª er, you know other pirates, don¡¯t you?¡± he began.

    ¡°Aye.¡±

    ¡°Then ¡­ have you heard of Captain Shark-Tooth Kent?¡± Toad asked in a rush. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡ª my dad¡¯s under his command and ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yer father¡¯s a pirate?¡± asked Horace, thick eyebrows rising in surprise. ¡°No wonder Joe took a fancy.¡±

    Toad couldn¡¯t stop himself. He grinned stupidly. ¡°The thing is he dropped me off with some mates when I was little and I haven¡¯t seen him since.¡±

    Horace nodded his head as if to agree that babes were not meant for sea-life.

    ¡°And I was wondering if you¡¯d met them.¡±

    ¡°Shark-Tooth Kent?¡± Horace narrowed his eyes. The wind whipped his beard, fresh snow flakes catching in the wiry strands. ¡°Sorry lad, I don¡¯t know of him. Do yeh know what seas he sails? His ship?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Toad admitted, frowning slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know its name. Dad¡¯s never come to shore.¡±

    ¡°Never?¡±

    ¡°At least ¡­ not to Hickory,¡± Toad admitted.

    ¡°Yer mother never told yeh?¡±

    ¡°My mother¡¯s dead. She died of a fever when I was born.¡±

    Horace was silent and Toad kept his eyes trained on his boots. Something uncomfortable and unwelcome seemed to hang in the air between them. Pity? Toad felt his cheeks burn not with cold but with shame. He never thought of his mother. What was the point? He would never meet her, would never know her, unlike his father ¡­ his father who had not bothered to see him in twelve years ¡­

    ¡°Perhaps he sails the Southern Seas,¡± said Horace. ¡°There were tales of a crew a few years back that even made me shiver.¡±

    Toad looked up at that and Horace winked.

    <hr>

    They sailed without incident. The sharp wind, so viciously cold that it sent Toad, Melena, and Hazel hunkering down below deck, kept the sails billowing. Mabbott, after assuring himself that they wouldn¡¯t get lost or trip overboard, returned to his post on the ship, leaving them much to their own devices. Toad re-tied Joe to his belt loop, so the mug could see the ship and crew wherever they went. Numerous times, Toad was hailed by a passing pirate only to realize that it was Joe they were speaking to.

    Joe was in his element. His monstrous grin was larger than ever; his eyes spun with a frenzy that made Toad feel seasick all over again if he kept eye contact for too long. Joe couldn¡¯t feel the cold as they did and complained when they were cloistered around a Slinkwing lamp for too long.

    On one of their rounds of the ship, more to appease Joe than anything, they witnessed Booth and four others washing the ship. Toad, who was no expert in mopping, wanted to point out that the water in their buckets was so filthy there wasn¡¯t much point, but Joe said, ¡°They¡¯re adding more ghost squid ink, Master Toad.¡±

    ¡°Ghost squid ink?¡± said Melena, turning to the buckets with interest. ¡°I read an article about it once. Is that really what they¡¯re using to fireproof the ship?¡±

    ¡°Fireproof the ship?¡± Toad snorted. ¡°How can they do that? It¡¯s made of wood.¡±

    ¡°Precisely, Master Toad. A ship that sails amongst dragons must be made impervious to their flame.¡±

    Toad turned in a circle, his eyes darting up and down. ¡°You¡¯re saying they wash down the entire ship?¡±

    No wonder they were always so busy. The ship was enormous.

    ¡°Luckily ghost squid ink seeps into the wood,¡± Joe explained. ¡°With each coat the protection increases, though it is still not completely flameproof and nor will it ever be. As the Dragon Book of Dragons, third edition states: No dragon produces flame as hot as the Slinkwing. Without ghost squid ink, the Firefly would be a matchstick in an inferno.¡±

    ¡°Joe,¡± said Toad. ¡°I get that you¡¯re trying to make me feel safer, but you¡¯re not.¡±

    Joe chuckled. ¡°You are on board a vessel in the Blackens, Master Toad. Of course it is not safe. But our Captain has not survived these waters for so long without reason! Go over to the front deck!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a figurehead,¡± said Melena as they stood at the rail, looking at the prow of the ship where a statue of a woman was attached.

    ¡°No, no, no, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe chuckled. ¡°She is the Firefly. See her lantern?¡±

    They leaned over the rail and there, dangling from her outstretched hand swung a crystal lamp. A soft, eerie green glow emitted from its chamber.

    ¡°Unlike the lamps around the ship that are fueled with watered down Slinkwing blood, the Firefly¡¯s lantern contains nothing but.¡±

    ¡°And how is this supposed to make us feel safer?¡± Toad asked. ¡°It¡¯s just a lady holding a lantern.¡±

    ¡°A lady who knows when Slinkwings are about,¡± Joe corrected. ¡°The Firefly can see them. Sense them. And warns with her lantern. The brighter the lantern burns, the closer a Slinkwing swims.¡±

 Springs of Mirg

    The Firefly cut through the foamy waves of the Blacken Sea, passing floating sheets of ice where big-bellied walruses lounged, content as beach-goers. Toad buried his red nose into his scarf, his rabbit-fur hat pressed low over his brow, and huddled close to Melena on a bench at the front deck. After learning about the figurehead, they often chose to sit there at the prow instead of below deck in order to check on whether or not the Firefly¡¯s lantern burned brighter.

    ¡°Why would anyone ever live here?¡± Toad grumbled. He¡¯d never been so cold in his life, even with every bit of clothing he possessed on his back. The excitement of experiencing snow for the first time had long ago vanished and he wanted nothing more than to feel the hot sun on his face. Give him the sweltering Hickory summers any day.

    ¡°I think maybe you have to be born here to appreciate it,¡± said Melena through chattering teeth. Hazel was once again burrowed inside Melena¡¯s coat. ¡°What I wouldn¡¯t give for a hot bath!¡± she moaned.

    Toad was about to say that Melena, who had Hazel¡¯s warm scales pressed against her stomach, didn¡¯t have any right complaining about the cold while she had her own personal heater, but Melena turned to him on the bench and said, ¡°I keep forgetting. Have you asked Captain Morely about your father?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Toad, startled that Melena had thought of this. ¡°Yeah, I did. First night on the ship. He doesn¡¯t know of Shark-Tooth Kent, but he thinks I should look to the south, wagers they might be there. God knows I would be,¡± he added fervently.

    Melena laughed. ¡°Oh, I bet he¡¯s moored in some tropical lagoon, eating his weight in mangoes.¡±

    ¡°With a parrot!¡± said Toad. ¡°My dad¡¯s gotta have a parrot.¡±

    ¡°Or a cute, little monkey!¡±

    ¡°Either way,¡± said Toad, ¡°first chance I get, I¡¯m going south.¡±

    Smedley, who was taking his turn at the wheel, heard him and let out his bark of a laugh.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, landlubber,¡± he called, ¡°you¡¯ll be heading home soon enough.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± said Toad. ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    In reply, Smedley pointed. Melena and Toad twisted on their bench, frowning in confusion, for the Blacken Sea was just as iron gray and endless as always, except ¡­

    ¡°Is that fog?¡± asked Melena, standing.

    ¡°Steam,¡± said Smedley. ¡°From the springs.¡±

    Melena spun back to Smedley, but Toad jumped to his feet, peering at the Firefly.

    ¡°Steam?¡± said Melena, startled. ¡°From the springs? We¡¯re that close to Mirg?¡±

    Toad tugged at Melena coat.

    ¡°D¡¯you think the lantern¡¯s brighter?¡± he asked her.

    Melena worried her lip. ¡°No,¡± she breathed; her eyes darted over the water. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    <hr>

    The sky clouded over, turning the water as black as ghost squid ink. As the ship approached the icy strip of land known as Mirg, the steam grew so dense Toad could barely see the gloved hand he wriggled in front of his face. How could Smedley steer in this soup?

    Horace was by Smedley¡¯s side at the wheel now. All the pirates stood at the ready, staring out into the steam. The stillness of the crew amplified the ship¡¯s every creak, every moan.

    ¡°LAND AHOY!¡±

    Melena jumped so violently, she landed on Toad¡¯s foot. At once, the crew bustled about lowering anchor and Horace limped toward them.

    ¡°Some of me boys will take yeh ter land. They¡¯ll lead yeh to the best of them springs. But I suggest yeh move quick. Sitting still in these waters isn¡¯t the wisest.¡±

    As Toad made to follow Melena to a boat that the pirates were lowering into the water, Horace called him back. ¡°Take care of Joe, young lord. A bargain is a bargain.¡±

    ¡°Do not fear, my Captain!¡± cried Joe from Toad¡¯s hip before Toad could reply. ¡°I am in good hands.¡±

    Five pirates joined them in the small boat, including Smedley and Mabbott.

    ¡°Here,¡± said Mabbott. He passed Toad and Melena a cutlass each. It felt awkward and heavy in Toad¡¯s hand.

    Melena looked alarmed. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to use a sword.¡±

    ¡°If you get lost you¡¯ll learn fast,¡± said Smedley, his smile teasing.

    ¡°We won¡¯t get separated,¡± Mabbott assured them, ¡°but better be safe than sorry.¡±

    ¡°Just don¡¯t slice off yer own ¡¯ead,¡± one of the pirates advised to a smattering of snickers.

    As the small boat made its way to land, it was difficult to keep from looking over the side into the dark depths for a flash of green or the whip of a tail. The Firefly at least gave a sense of security, with its heavy mass and deck so high above the water, but this boat felt like nothing more than a raft which would capsize from one swipe of a Slinkwing¡¯s tail. The steam didn¡¯t help. Relentlessly, it played tricks on Toad¡¯s eyes. Half a dozen times he thought he saw a shape looming out of the water, but it was only a chunk of ice. Those icebergs were growing in number now, making maneuvering difficult.

    The boat hit the bank before Toad saw it.

    With difficulty they disembarked, the ice dangerously slick, even with their nail-studded boots. Two of the pirates heaved a wooden crate out from the boat. The clinks inside told Toad that Horace wasn¡¯t wasting a visit to the springs. The pirates did not speak, but directed them with a jerk of their hands to follow. Melena grabbed hold of Toad¡¯s hand and Toad was grateful. Even with Mabbott¡¯s assurances that they wouldn¡¯t get separated, Toad could see how it could happen only too easily. A distraction or an attack would make them scatter and then ¡­ well, Toad chose not to think about that.

    They traveled as quickly as the heavy steam allowed, often stopping without warning, causing Toad¡¯s heart to jump into his throat, Melena¡¯s hand squeezing the life out of his fingers. He¡¯d grip his cutlass, expecting a cry of alarm, but then Smedley would wave his arm and onward they continued.

    ¡°Here,¡± Mabbott whispered. ¡°Here¡¯s one of the pools.¡±

    A wind swept the steam clear long enough to see a deep, glistening pool. Melena was already scrambling inside her bag but her movements were cumbersome with Hazel under her coat.

    ¡°Give ¡¯em to me,¡± said Toad. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    She passed Toad the two flasks Horace had given them. It was incredible. As he leaned over the spring, glorious waves of hot air caressed his numb face like loving fingers. He couldn¡¯t help himself; he pealed off the glove of his left hand and dipped it into the water. It was like slipping into a dream.

    Melena punched him in the shoulder, scowling.

    Toad quickly withdrew his hand and it burned like fire in the frigid air; it took huge restraint not to plunge it right back into the pool. Mabbott squatted by Toad¡¯s side with the crate and the pirates quickly loaded up a dozen flasks.

    ¡°It¡¯s so warm!¡± Toad told her, but this did not appease her.

    ¡°Oh, yes, let¡¯s all have a dip, why don¡¯t we? We¡¯re only standing over Slinkwing nests, after all,¡± she hissed.

    Smedley laughed, his voice carrying over the hot spring.

    Finished, the flasks safely tucked away in Melena¡¯s bag and the create once more lifted between two pirates, they made their way back to the boat.

    Toad felt that he could finally breathe easy when his feet hit the Firefly¡¯s deck. Horace only waited until the boat had been hoisted just out of the sea, and then he was spinning the wheel; the wind caught the sails, the steam faded and the current was a rope, tugging the ship away from Mirg and the Slinkwings.

    Horace cracked a grin, his clear, blue eyes crinkled. He turned to Toad.

    ¡°Well, lad?¡±

    As Toad untied Joe from his belt loop, their eyes met and the warmth in Joe¡¯s marble ones made the heated spring seem lukewarm. When Toad passed the mug to Horace and the crew let out a victorious cry, he told himself that his eyes were stinging due to the cold and nothing more.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    <hr>

    A bystander would think the crew of the Firefly had plundered a palace from the celebration that raged below deck. Barrels of beer were uncorked, drums and flutes were whisked out, and Toad and Melena found themselves in the midst of a roaring party. Joe was at Horace¡¯s side. Periodically he was hoisted into the air without warning over clanking mugs, beer sloshing. It was impossible not to be swept up in the pirates¡¯ exuberance and soon Toad and Melena were grinning just as broadly as Joe. Even Hazel couldn¡¯t hold onto her waspish attitude and was out of Melena¡¯s coat, snapping playfully at the dancing pirates¡¯ ankles.

    Perhaps Toad would wake with regret in the morning that he had given up Joe, but then, at that moment, he was filled with a happiness he could not put into words, as if he¡¯d drunk an entire bottle of Mirg water. They¡¯d done it. They¡¯d slipped through dragon-infested waters without a hitch. What would Cutter say the next time he laid eyes on Toad? The coward probably hadn¡¯t even gotten off the train. And Owl ¡ª Toad let out a great burst of laughter. That gent was going to be speechless!

    ¡°Come on, lad!¡± Smedley roared, clapping his hands to the drums. ¡°Surely a former lord such as yourself can dance!¡±

    Toad¡¯s sharp grin could have rivaled Bone¡¯s as he turned to Melena.

    ¡°Oh, no!¡± she said quickly. ¡°No, Toad, really¡ª¡±

    Toad yanked her into the swarming pirates and they were whisked into a foot-stomping romp, pink-cheeked and breathless with laughter, Horace¡¯s laugh the loudest of the lot at the sight of them. Toad swung Melena around and nearly lost his balance, tumbling backward just as Mabbott rushed down the narrow stairs, his pale face bloodless. He shouted something but the clamor was too loud for Toad to hear. Mabbott pulled out his pistol and with a shot that made Melena scream and Toad¡¯s ears ring, silence fell swift and sudden over the crew.

    ¡°Slinkwings, Captain!¡± Mabbott roared.

    Half a breath passed before Horace was on his feet, all traces of ease wiped from his face.

    ¡°At arms!¡± Horace bellowed into the silence, unsheathing his cutlass and thrusting it into the air. ¡°Send the devils to the depths, or I¡¯ll skin yeh myself!¡±

    The change in the pirates¡¯ attitude was jarring; they roared in reply, pulling out their own cutlasses, surging up the stairs. Toad¡¯s brain felt slow, as if he were missing half the conversation. Melena had disappeared in the throng and Toad was caught in the stream flooding up deck.

    At first Toad didn¡¯t understand what he was seeing: the prow of the ship was illuminated with a brilliant green light that was as unnatural as it was vivid. For the Firefly¡¯s lamp to burn so brightly, a Slinkwing must be practically under the ship. The moment this horrific thought came to him the ship gave a violent lurch. Toad tumbled, sliding five feet on his stomach before grabbing the main mast. He righted himself, arms wrapped tight around the wooden beam as the ship pitched again.

    Where was Melena? Toad tried to shout, but no noise issued from his mouth. He couldn¡¯t see her anywhere in the mass of pirates, rushing to their stations. Was she still below deck?

    A blast erupted directly behind Toad. He spun around in time to see Mabbott loading another cannon with one of the wicked-looking harpoons.

    ¡°FIRE!¡± Smedley screamed and the blast nearly shattered Toad¡¯s eardrums. He released his hold of the mast and hurried back toward the stairs that led below deck, but he hadn¡¯t moved three feet before the Firefly lurched again and, heart skittering, arms flailing, Toad was tossed against the railings, the air knocked out of him with a bruising oof. Icy, salt water crashed over him. Eyes stinging, Toad shook hair out of his eyes and looked down. The churning dark water was lit with long, thick ribbons of brilliant green, pulsing like lightning. There was more than one. More than two. More than ¡ª

    ¡°Toad!¡±

    Melena was beside him, panic-stricken, her bag swung over her back. Relief flooded him at the sight of her, but all too soon it was swept away as she shouted into his ringing ears, ¡°Where¡¯s Hazel?¡±

    Toad¡¯s eyes darted around the packed deck. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Hazel was so small ¡ª she could be anywhere amongst the thicket of legs. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s still below ¡ª DUCK!¡±

    Another vicious wave of freezing water exploded over the ship¡¯s side. Toad flung himself over Melena, throwing her to the ground just as Horace, cutlass flashing, lunged at them. Enraged and horrified that Horace would attack them, Toad flung up his fists to retaliate, but froze, his voice again lost, paralyzed in terror. A Slinkwing had erupted from the ocean, just behind where they¡¯d been standing at the rail. A hundred times more monstrous than the mounted version in the Captain¡¯s Quarters, it swayed its long, narrow head like a serpent, its bulbous yellow eyes ablaze, its long green beard sparking and crackling. It lunged, snapping at Horace.

    ¡°Get below deck!¡± yelled Horace, fending it off with hacks of his sword. When Toad and Melena remained motionless, he roared, ¡°MOVE, YEH BLOODY FOOLS!¡±

    Toad and Melena scrambled to their feet just as the Slinkwing¡¯s long eel-like chest glowed like it had swallowed the sun. Horace leapt back; he grabbed Toad and Melena by the arms and raced across the deck at full speed. ¡°TAKE COVER!¡±

    At once the pirates lifted what looked like broad, metal shields; they barely made it behind the nearest one as a jet of yellow-green fire exploded around them. Melena screamed; Toad covered his head, feeling the air crackle and sizzle. Horace yanked Toad¡¯s face up to his by the collar of his coat. ¡°I won¡¯t have yer blood on my hands. Get below or I¡¯ll ¡ª¡±

    But whatever Horace would do to them, Toad never found out for another Slinkwing shot up on the Firefly¡¯s port side with another wave of water. Horace was on his feet, joining four others as they stabbed at its muzzle, aiming for its eyes. Toad looked around them in horrified amazement: the very air felt scorched, but the fire had not caught hold, dispersing in waves of hot steam.

    ¡°G-g-ghost s-squid ink,¡± Melena whispered, shaking from head to foot, but Toad¡¯s eyes were fixed upon the latest arrival. Quick as a snake, it clamped its jaws upon one of the pirate¡¯s arms and with a shriek, he was pulled overboard.

    ¡°Up! Up, Melena! Get up!¡± Toad pulled at Melena¡¯s arms and yanked her toward the opening below deck, but Melena let out a terrified gasp, making him spin, expecting to see a Slinkwing¡¯s jaws plunging down upon them ¡ª

    Melena was grasping at her shoulders. ¡°The bag¡¯s gone!¡±

    Toad¡¯s heart stopped. If they lost the ingredients¡­

    They spun on the spot, back to back, eyes scanning the swaying deck.

    ¡°THERE!¡± Toad roared, pointing toward the stern of the ship as another blast of cannon fire sounded. It had been caught by a wave of water and even as Toad watched, another surge pushed it closer to the railings.

    Toad leapt forward, Melena slipping at his side in haste to reach it. The knapsack momentarily disappeared beneath a fresh gush of water. Toad flung out his hands, searching. Suddenly, the Firefly pitched so violently that he and Melena both slid like pucks on an iced pond, down to the snapping jaws of a Slinkwing. The dragon had reared high and slammed its body down upon the stern of the ship, tipping the prow upward.

    ¡°AAAAAHHH!¡±

    But the ship was righting; the slick, the dragon¡¯s eel-like body couldn¡¯t stay on the deck, its wing-like flippers unable to gain purchase, and it slipped back into the water. The Firefly crashed downward; huge waves on either side thundered upon their heads. Toad couldn¡¯t breathe. He couldn¡¯t see. Blindly he flailed, his fingers scrabbling for something to hold onto when something rough and lumpy bumped against his hand.

    ¡°Toad, where are you?¡± screamed Melena.

    Toad opened his mouth to shout out to her and swallowed a mouthful of seawater. His free hand found a rope; he tried to tug himself upright while holding onto Melena¡¯s knapsack.

    BOOM.

    A splintering, a cracking, and the main mast fell like a tree. Toad barely jumped out of the way, banging his head hard upon the deck. The ship was half-submerged now. He could barely see anything through his stinging eyes. He thought he heard Horace roar, from somewhere Melena was shouting ¡°TOAD! TOAD!¡± and a sudden, blistering heat had him jerking backwards. The inner wood of the broken mast had been caught. In moments ¡ª seconds ¡ª the beam was engulfed in green flames; they licked and danced upon the black-inked planks that made up the Firefly like fingers trying to find crevices to hook in their nails.

    Strong arms suddenly pulled him upright. Looking around he found himself nose to nose with Smedley. His face was bloody, his one blind eye as bright as the moon in the mess of red. He shouted something, but Toad¡¯s ears seemed to have stopped working, for he couldn¡¯t make out a word. Another freezing burst of water and Smedley was gone from his side, racing toward the fire that seemed to be growing, regardless of the water and ghost squid ink.

    It¡¯s sinking, Toad realized with a jolt. The prow was slipping lower and lower.

    Toad pulled the knapsack onto his back and ran, dodging pirates, covering his head as another burst of fire shot over him, trying to find Melena. He clambered over a cannon that had slid from it harness, something sharp sliced into his knee as he tumbled over its side, but he paid it no mind. He had to find Melena ¡ª

    Something zoomed into his chest, nearly knocking him flat.

    ¡°Hazel!¡±

    Hazel was drenched, her sweater scorched black. She was bleeding from a wound in her hind leg, but she was wonderfully, brilliantly alive. Toad pushed her to his shoulders. ¡°Hold on, Hazel!¡± Hazel dug in her claws, wrapping her tail so tightly around Toad¡¯s neck, it felt like a noose. He started his search again, turning his head this way and that¡ª

    Without warning, something knocked into Toad¡¯s back so hard he was sent flying head over heels over the ship¡¯s railing, plunging head first into the sea. The icy shock of the water sliced Toad like knives, turning his nerves to fire. It froze his brain, flooding it with animalistic panic. He didn¡¯t know which way was up, which way was down. He punched and kicked, his lungs searing. A huge form, glowing a violent green appeared beneath him and the Slinkwing¡¯s tail pushed against him, flinging him toward the surface. He gasped a great lung full of air. Hazel was screeching and spitting by his ear, still clamped around his shoulders like a vice. But Toad was sinking. His head slipped under the water again. Though he kicked his legs and swung his arms, he might have been immobile for all the success he was having at keeping himself afloat, for Toad had never learned how to swim. Hazel¡¯s sharp claws tore at his scalp. His face broke the surface again just in time to see the glowing, green body of a Slinkwing cut through the water, inches from him. Toad didn¡¯t even think. He grabbed one of the triangular fins on its back and held on for dear life as it swept him through the crashing waves. It didn¡¯t seem to know he was clinging to it, for it did not swivel its brutish face around. It was taking him to the other side of the ship. The Firefly was groaning and splintering, leaning severely to one side, green flames devouring its remaining sails.

    The Slinkwing dove under the waves and Toad was dragged down with it. When it returned to skimming the surface, Toad was hacking worse than ever. He shook hair from his eyes and ¡­ Melena was bobbing up and down like a cork as she tried to clamber onto a hunk of wood from the ship. Toad let go of the Slinkwing just as it swerved back toward the ship to slam its long tail against the hull. He kicked the water with all his might, his legs and arms growing numb.

    Melena saw him; she reached out her hand and pulled him onto the make-shift raft. It was large enough that it did not sink with their weight. Terrified, they huddled close, clinging to the raft as the angry sea tossed them like a toy, sputtering and gasping with each crashing wave. The illuminated hide of a Slinkwing flashed beneath them, but it ignored their little raft, speeding toward the ship. The crashing waves were carrying them away from the Firefly but they could still hear the pirates¡¯ screams. They were still fighting. They¡¯ll beat ¡¯em, Toad kept thinking. They¡¯ll beat ¡¯em.

    Melena gasped.

    With the suddenness of a lightning strike, the flames finally took hold and the Firefly was engulfed in a blaze of green.

 Piddleton

    Toad¡¯s hair tickled Melena¡¯s nose. She kept her eyes shut; opening them was pointless. They were adrift, floating on an icy sea. There was no land in sight, not even a passing iceberg. There hadn¡¯t been for what had felt like hours. Like days. Like years.

    It had seemed miraculous ¡ª a good omen even ¡ª that Toad managed to hold onto her knapsack with everything still safely (though thoroughly drenched) tucked inside. They¡¯d pulled out the two flasks of Mirg water, nearly dropping them in the ocean from the violent tremors racking their bodies. The only reason they were alive, Melena was sure, was because of those two small heated bottles and Hazel, sandwiched between them.

    Melena listened to the gentle splash of ocean against their raft. So peaceful. So tranquil. So unlike what it had been as it shook the Firefly like a giant with a toy sailboat. The tears that had fallen at the sight of the sinking ship were still there, frozen to her cheeks. She couldn¡¯t say that she had been fond of the pirates, but they had given up their lives for them. They had been decent, when they hadn¡¯t needed to be. They had, without question, embraced them as their own. A pirate had knocked her clear from a blast of fire. She didn¡¯t known his name, but his face was etched upon her memory like a chiseled stone. Melena¡¯s empty stomach clenched as if a hand twisted her insides. It was all their fault ¡ª no, it was all Melena¡¯s fault that Horace and Mabbott and Smedley and Booth and all the rest were dead. If she hadn¡¯t pressed Toad into trading Joe ¡­ but would there have been another way to reach Mirg if they hadn¡¯t gone to the pirates? Would they have been able to reach the place on foot?

    Melena didn¡¯t want to think about this. She didn¡¯t want her final seconds to be reliving the guilt and horror of the Firefly like a stuck gramophone. So she listened to the ocean. The rocking of the raft reminded her of a cradle. Her mother must have done this for her, before the fire. Soothed her to sleep while she was tucked inside warm blankets, humming a lullaby. Melena could see her mother¡¯s face smiling down at her. Milo was leaning over the crib¡¯s edge, tickling her to make her giggle. And now her father was there, his hair flaxen, his short beard and mustache trimmed neat. Melena could see them so clearly, though she¡¯d never owned a picture of any of her family; even inside her mother¡¯s iron cold locket frozen to her chest, there wasn¡¯t a picture, just two snips of worthless hair. Everything had burned, burned with the fury of a Slinkwing. It would be so easy to believe the dream was true ¡ª that she really was the giggling baby in the crib, wrapping a tiny hand around Milo¡¯s teasing finger ¡­ it would be so easy ¡ª so easy ¡ª if she wasn¡¯t so cold.

    Melena and Toad were as close together as physically possible, their stiff, gloved hands wrapped around the two bottles of Mirg water. Hazel was squeezed between them, giving off the little amount of warmth she still possessed, but the warmth was becoming not enough. The cold slipped into Melena¡¯s lungs, inching steadily closer to her heart. She had lost feeling in her legs and feet. It was as if she were a sketch on a pad of paper and the artist, finding fault, had erased them.

    How much longer until the cold reached her heart? That question, she realized numbly, should trouble her, but she felt nothing. Even the unbearable cold was growing not so unbearable, slipping away from her consciousness like water through hands.

    Why would anyone ever live here? The memory of Toad¡¯s incredulous voice made the muscles around her cracked lips twitch.

    She forced her eyes open. The sky was the pale, dusted gray of predawn, but her eyes burned from the light. Her breath came out in a shaking, frigid steam. Death couldn¡¯t be far away for surely hallucinations were the next step toward endless slumber ¡­ or perhaps she had already half-stepped into that abyss, for of course her mind in its last throes of life would be cruel enough to materialize a ship.

    Melena blinked her stinging eyes. She glared at the dim horizon, waiting for the ship to disappear, but the ship remained.

    She wasn¡¯t hallucinating. There was a ship.

    ¡°¡¯oad,¡± she croaked.

    Toad didn¡¯t move. His lips were blue. His dark hair was frozen into chunks.

    ¡°Hazel.¡± Melena prodded the dragon. Hazel turned her bleary gaze to Melena. It was so difficult to speak, each word a terrible effort, taking all her concentration, all her willpower. ¡°Can ¡­ you ¡­ flame? I n-need you ¡­ to flame for me. Please ¡­ try.¡±

    For a long time, Hazel stared at her. Then very slowly, she rose and climbed on top of Melena¡¯s side, facing the ship. Melena felt Hazel shivering violently as a new gust of wind passed over them.

    Hazel took a deep breath and breathed fire. It shot high in the air like a firecracker. A shuddering pause. And another blast of fire flew upward. Melena lay still, watching the ship. It wasn¡¯t just her legs she could no longer feel. The wind on her face was nothing now, even the sound of the water sloshing around them had gone mute. She knew Hazel stood on top of her, but she couldn¡¯t feel the dragon¡¯s weight. The ship slipped out of focus. It was impossible to tell if it had moved closer or farther away. But what did it matter, really?

    What did it matter?

    <hr>

    ¡°You¡¯ve warmed up another of those blankets? Good, bring it over. And better keep a few more by the radiator, just in case.¡±

    Melena felt her body rocking again, but not as severely as the raft. She paid no mind to the voices, low and murmuring around her. Someone was gently prodding her jawline, pressing a hand to her forehead, but she kept her eyes closed and slipped back to unconsciousness.

    When next she woke, she opened her eyes to a startling sight. She was lying on a small cot in what appeared to be a tiny cabin. The floor gently tipped, like the deck of a ship. For one wild moment, she thought she was back on board the Firefly.

    But it had sunk, a heap of broken wood on the bottom of the ocean. So where was she?

    She moved to sit up, and let out a groan.

    ¡°You best lay back down, miss.¡±

    Melena looked around and saw a tall, gangly man enter the cabin. He had to stoop to keep his head from bumping the ceiling. His face and hands were clean, and a ginger, toothbrush mustache clashed with the plum in his fancy uniform, a uniform that looked stiff with starch. He removed his black, fur cap as he entered. This man was no pirate.

    ¡°You¡¯re on board the Juniper,¡± the man explained, fluffing up her pillows and helping her sit back against them. ¡°I¡¯m Officer Hendry. Nasty sight, two half-dead children. Do you think you can eat something?¡±

    Melena wasn¡¯t sure, but she nodded.

    ¡°Have some broth.¡± He helped her hold a small mug while she drank. ¡°Your friend¡¯s over there.¡± Officer Hendry jerked his head. Melena looked over his shoulder and saw Toad¡¯s brown mess of hair sticking out of a thick cocoon of blankets on the opposite side of the cabin. ¡°He was in a bit worse shape than you, but he¡¯s coming round.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s¡ª¡± Melena coughed and Officer Hendry quickly withdrew the cup. ¡°Where¡¯s Hazel?¡± she asked, voice hoarse.

    ¡°Is that her name?¡± Officer Hendry actually laughed. ¡°I¡¯ve been calling her Seaweed ¡ª hope you¡¯re not offended. She¡¯s under these blankets somewhere. We patched her up. That leg had a nasty burn, but Spit-Fires heal quickly from that sort of thing.¡±

    And much to Melena¡¯s relief, she noticed the warm lump against her thigh.

    ¡°Just needed some soup and she was fussing over the two of you nearly as much as the crew. She almost took off Nurse Spinner¡¯s arm when she was stitching up the boy, but my aunt¡¯s got a Spit-Fire, so I know a few tricks of the trade. Told her to keep a few dried dates in her pocket,¡± he said with a wink.

    A giggle escaped Melena¡¯s sore throat and she immediately regretted it with a fresh round of coughing. It was starting to dawn on her. Though she felt as if she¡¯d been run over by a buggy, they were safe ¡ª they were alive.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°Thank you for helping us.¡±

    Officer Hendry¡¯s pleasant expression turned suddenly apologetically grave as he pulled a chair close and settled down beside her.

    ¡°I know this will be difficult, and I¡¯m sorry, truly I am, but I need to know what happened. We¡¯ve been circling the area, but we haven¡¯t come across any more survivors.¡±

    Melena couldn¡¯t stop the tremors that crawled up her spine. ¡°We were attacked by Slinkwings.¡±

    ¡°Slinkwings?¡± Officer Hendry repeated, startled, his ginger eyebrows rising and then lowering into a frown. ¡°Why was your ship close to Mirg? That territory is off-limits. All sailors know that.¡±

    ¡°We ¡ª the ship ¡ª it got lost I think,¡± Melena invented, keeping her eyes downcast. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened. The Slinkwings came out of nowhere.¡±

    She didn¡¯t know what sort of vessel she and Toad had landed on, but she knew it would be unwise to mention that they had been on board a pirate ship.

    Officer Hendry looked slightly mollified, though still concerned. ¡°Sometimes a change of wind can make the steam from Mirg spread farther than usual. Ships have gone wayward before. Yours wasn¡¯t the first and it won¡¯t be the last.¡± His gaze was impossibly soft as he added, ¡°Your parents? Were they on board?¡±

    For a moment, Melena remained silent. Her head was beginning to throb, it was growing difficult to remain sitting upright, even with the pillows to her back. She felt feverish. What was the easiest thing to tell him? That yes, their families had been on board, but would that lead to more pressing questions? Was it better to say they were stowaways, but what would the officer do with them then?A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°We ¡­ we have an aunt,¡± said Melena, thinking quickly. ¡°At Piddleton.¡±

    ¡°Oh, siblings, are you?¡±

    ¡°Cousins.¡±

    ¡°Piddleton was where the Juniper was headed before we spied you, so that works out well. What¡¯s your aunt¡¯s name? I¡¯ll send a telegram on ahead so she¡¯ll be waiting for you. And what was the name of your ship? The coast guard must be alerted.¡±

    After Officer Hendry had departed from the cabin with information on Melena and Toad¡¯s fictional Aunt Ruth and an even more fictional (and very tiny) passenger ship, she slipped from her cot. The moment her bandaged feet touched the rugged floor, she let out an involuntary gasp of pain: her feet seared. Hazel wriggled up from the blankets and watched Melena crawl on hands and knees toward the corner where their clothes and belongings rested. She fumbled with the latch on her knapsack, her heart in her throat, but there was no need to fear. The two bottles of Mirg water were there, along with the unicorn hair, the elfin gold moss, and the roc talon. Even her potions book was still there. She pulled it out and carefully opened the covers, letting the pages dry. Then, though every muscle longed for her to lay still, she found her coat. A strong stench of smoke wafted beneath her nostrils, turning her stomach, but she dug inside one of the pockets and extracted Joe.

    In the confusion of the attack, Melena had seen the mug bouncing across the deck; she had darted after him. She knelt on the floor now, cradling the beer mug in her bandaged hands. Joe no longer wore his gruesome smile. He didn¡¯t bestow his customary greeting of ¡®m¡¯lady!¡¯. He was still and cold against her palms. His marble eyes looked dead. They weren¡¯t even spinning.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Joe,¡± Melena whispered. ¡°I¡¯m so, so sorry.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t reply. He didn¡¯t look at her.

    She slowly crawled back into bed, Hazel shimmying to the side to make room. Melena curled up and held Joe close to her chest.

    <hr>

    Toad woke the following afternoon. Like Melena, he was battered and bruised. She was able to give him a quick run down of their current situation, updating him on the lies she¡¯d told Officer Hendry before Nurse Spinner entered their cabin with spoonfuls of medicine.

    ¡°But won¡¯t he find out that we don¡¯t have an Aunt Ruth Campton or that the Blue Heron isn¡¯t a ship?¡± Toad asked.

    ¡°There are all sorts of ships that people haven¡¯t heard of,¡± said Melena, twisting her fingers and shooting a nervous glance at the cabin door. ¡°And I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll think it odd to not get word back from Aunt Ruth.¡± But even as she spoke, the little confidence she had withered away. Their lies were shaky at best. If Officer Hendry pressed them at all, everything would come tumbling out. ¡°I had to tell him something.¡±

    ¡°You did right,¡± Toad assured her quickly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Nurse Spinner was a short, dark haired woman with dimples that showed even when she frowned. She visited their cabin three times a day, bringing food and fresh water and a bright, cheerful energy that swept away the gloom of their cabin. With each visit, Hazel scurried over to take the dried date Nurse Spinner pulled from her pocket. She chatted as she looked them over, assuring them that soon they¡¯d be able to walk about the decks. She brought them books and even a few board games she¡¯d smuggled on the voyage to help pass the time. Melena came to look forward to the soft knock on the wooden door and the ¡®hello dears¡¯ with a burning desperation, for the silence that settled in the cabin when Nurse Spinner wasn¡¯t there was as thick as old custard.

    Joe never spoke. Melena half thought that whatever charm that made him whistle and chortle had finally worn off, for he sat so motionless that he could have fooled anyone into believing he was just a bit of silly pottery. The only sign of life was the periodic blink of his eyes. Melena and Toad didn¡¯t know what to do. Toad tried to get the mug to play a round of Jumping Stones, but Joe shut his eyes as if in physical pain and did not open them again for hours.

    Their attempts to cheer Joe up continued to fall so flat that by the time they were both strong enough to meander slowly around the ship, they had stopped trying. But Toad refused to let Joe stay in the cabin on his own. He carried the mug with him, not tied to his belt loop, or stuffed in his pocket, but cradled in his gloved hand. They¡¯d settle down on a bench or lean over the rail and watch the ocean slip by, turning back in when they grew too chilled. They spotted seals, a few ivory gulls, and even a pod of narwhals, their long tusks reminding Melena of the unicorn in Holly-Harp Wood.

    ¡°Captain had a pet narwhal, once.¡±

    Melena and Toad froze. They looked at Joe, who sat upon the railing, watching the long-tusked whales cut through the icy water like minnows. It was the first time he¡¯d spoken in weeks.

    ¡°He did?¡± said Toad.

    Joe nodded, still watching the whales.

    ¡°Took to following the ship like a lamb. Captain called Cutthroat good luck, for the day when I was accidentally flung overboard, my handle slipped onto Cutthroat¡¯s tusk.¡± Joe was blinking his marble eyes quicker now, the glistening wetness very apparent. ¡°Captain was so distraught, he dove into the sea after Ol¡¯ Joe and Cutthroat kept swimming in circles, thinking Captain had joined in to play. The crew shouted at Captain to grab the rope they¡¯d tossed down, Captain shouted at Cutthroat to give him Joe, and Cutthroat danced around like a pup.¡±

    Melena had a split second to picture such a scene before Toad started to laugh. His laughter was like an infection, spreading, and in no time Melena had caught it and was laughing just as hard, because how ridiculous was that? Captain Horace ¡®the Horrid¡¯ Morley, the Dragon Hunter, splashing after a gleeful narwhal? But they shouldn¡¯t be laughing, not when Horace was gone ¡ª

    A new laugh joined theirs. Tears poured from Joe¡¯s eyes, but still he laughed, laughed as if he couldn¡¯t stop and Hazel stared in confusion as Toad, gripping his sides, doubled over, wheezing. When they¡¯d finally calmed down, wiping tears from their cheeks, watching the sun slip into the ocean, Toad said, ¡°I¡¯m gonna miss Captain Horace.¡±

    ¡°Aye, Master Toad,¡± Joe whispered, his tear-streaked face bathed in rosy pink. ¡°That we will.¡±

    <hr>

    The voyage took longer than Officer Hendry anticipated due to a temperamental boiler, and by the time the steam-powered ship docked in Piddleton¡¯s port, Melena, Toad and Hazel were fully recovered. Joe still had long stretches of silence, but they were growing less frequent. He even joined in on a round of Jumping Stones the day before they made port, delighting in ordering Toad to move which piece and when he decimated Melena, he was beaming just as broadly as the first time she had seen him.

    They thanked Officer Hendry and had a tearful farewell with Nurse Spinner who hugged them both twice, Hazel sniffing her pockets for more dates, before pointing to a random older woman in the mealing crowd and assuring them that no, they didn¡¯t want to trouble them any longer; Aunt Ruth was right over there ¡­

    ¡°Nice pair, those two,¡± said Toad, smiling over his shoulder as they slipped into the crowd surging the dock. ¡°So, where are these flowers?¡± he asked, looking around as if expecting to see one in a shop¡¯s window.

    ¡°Not here. Bartholomew says that the plains to the south of Piddleton are where we should look.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s a flower,¡± said Toad. ¡°Won¡¯t it be dead this time of year?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t nearly as frigid here in Piddleton, though patches of snow were mounded around door frames.

    ¡°Moonflowers are very cold tolerant. They bloom year-round at the full moon, no matter what.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s it look like?¡±

    ¡°A bit like a cactus. The plants have long, hairy stems, covered in thin spines.¡±

    ¡°Pleasant,¡± Toad grunted.

    ¡°The spines won¡¯t be a problem; our gloves will take care of that just fine. It won¡¯t be blooming now. We¡¯re cutting it close, but we should be able to find the plant before the next full moon. That way we¡¯ll be ready for it when it opens.¡± Melena felt slightly reckless, as if she were knocking on wood as she added, ¡°This won¡¯t be a problem, Toad. Out of all the ingredients, finding the moonflower will be the easiest.¡±

    Toad¡¯s smile had a wry edge to it, but he didn¡¯t attempt to contradict her.

    An energetic shoe shiner pointed them in the right direction to the Piddle Plains, as he called them, and they left the tight, clustered streets of Piddleton for the open, sprawling outskirts. By the time they reached the sweeping meadows, dusk was falling in earnest, allowing them only a short spell to poke around the tall, dead grass.

    The land here was so flat that Melena could see for miles, which was why it was quite easy to spot an inn with glowing lamps in the distance. ¡°Black Swan¡± was painted in thick cursive on the oak, front door and when they entered it was like stepping into a warm bath that smelled of toffee. All was burnished copper and cozy comfort. Toad rubbed his gloved hands together, his nose a bright pink from the cold. The Black Swan housed half a dozen other lodgers, all dressed in woolly sweaters and cradling tankards of cider. There was a cluster of cushy armchairs by a roaring fire and by each window was a wooden dining table. Melena immediately felt at ease. That contentedness was only slightly dampened when she saw how few coins remained in her money pouch as she paid for lodging. But there would be more ¡ª loads more, she reassured herself ¡ª when they returned to Hickory and Mr. Owl.

    The proprietor was just as warm as his inn, with rosy, round cheeks, and a big belly that quivered whenever he laughed, which was often. Melena and Toad rose casually after a restful night¡¯s sleep and a lazy breakfast, before heading out into the fields, still mist-shrouded and cold.

    ¡°It won¡¯t be flowering now,¡± said Melena, ¡°so look around for a short plant, long stems¡ª¡±

    ¡°Spines, yeah. Got it.¡±

    They separated, inspecting the ground, wading their way through brittle, hip-high grass, and digging through bushes, but neither Melena nor Toad found anything cactus-like. They moved farther away from the inn, deeper into the fields. They kept looking until they grew hungry, and assured themselves that they would find a moonflower after lunch.

    ¡°Could you tell us,¡± Melena asked the proprietor as he handed them their food, ¡°where we could find the moonflowers?¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t clapped eyes on those flowers in years!¡± he said jovially. ¡°Not since I was your age.¡±

    Toad¡¯s sandwich fell from his fingers.

    ¡°Years?¡± Melena gasped. ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°The elk eat ¡¯em.¡± A friend from the bar hailed the proprietor and he stepped away.

    Melena was stunned. She turned to Toad, who looked just as horror struck.

    ¡°There must be one,¡± said Melena. ¡°The elk couldn¡¯t have possibly eaten all of them.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s head out,¡± said Toad, rising, his sandwich forgotten. ¡°Come on.¡±

    <hr>

    What would they do if they couldn¡¯t find a moonflower before the full moon?

    This question plagued Melena as the days slipped by, February looming on the horizon. The moon grew thicker with indecent speed. The light streaming through their window kept Melena up at night. A comfortable cushion was now a nerve-wracking six days, four days, two. They asked all the lodgers whether they¡¯d ever seen a moonflower, but their answers were all the same: ¡°Elk.¡±

    Each day they spent out in the fields, bent double, backs aching, creeping through the under story, scaring up pheasants, barely taking time for lunch. Each evening they trudged back to the inn, slump shouldered, their bellies gnawing with hunger and tension.

    As had happened on the Shards when they faced the impossible task of acquiring the roc talon, Toad became the rallying force, relentlessly hoisting up their spirits, leading them farther, pointing toward areas they had not yet explored. ¡°Over there,¡± he¡¯d say. ¡°In that copse.¡± Or, ¡°There¡¯s a creek! ¡ª I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find one there.¡± With each failing, Toad grew more determined, though his expression turned manic, and in turn, Melena became more discouraged, her chest so tight it hurt to take a deep breath.

    The proprietor seemed to harbor a fondness for them, perhaps because they were proving such welcome entertainment for the inn. No one, apparently, had ever tried so hard to find a moonflower. Melena overheard a handful of lodgers taking bets on whether they would find one by the full moon and it did not lift her spirits in the slightest.

    <hr>

    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s our last shot,¡± said Toad.

    Melena looked up from the dregs of her cocoa. Neither the heat from the hearth nor the drink was succeeding in easing the tension in her shoulders.

    ¡°We won¡¯t have time to wait for another moon cycle before the deadline¡¯s up,¡± Toad continued, his jaw clenching in a manner Melena had grown accustomed to over the last few days. ¡°It¡¯s all or nuthin¡¯ tomorrow.¡±

    Melena nodded, the lump in her throat making speech impossible. If there was a single moonflower that had escaped the notice of an elk, it would appear tomorrow night when the rays of the moon bathed it in silver.

    Tomorrow would decide everything.

 Moonflower

    They stood on the Black Swan¡¯s porch, watching the moon rise high in the night sky. The day had been fruitless, but that hadn¡¯t been a surprise to Toad. The entire fortnight had been fruitless. Toad was exhausted, his insides writhing like he¡¯d swallowed a bucket of worms.

    The crowd on the porch was larger than ever before. Practically everyone was staying up to see whether they would find a moonflower at last. Toad felt a bit like a contestant in a competition, as the proprietor gave him a hearty clap on the back and a woman wrapped in a balaclava cheered, ¡°Good luck, sonny!¡±

    The moonlight was so bright they didn¡¯t even stumble on tufts of grass as they began their search for the last time. They split up, Toad heading north, Melena going south. Hazel¡¯s scales glinted in the moonlight where she sat perched atop Melena¡¯s shoulders.

    Wanting more eyes to help with the task, Toad untied Joe from his hip and carried him high over his head, only feeling slightly foolish. The need to not look like an idiot had long since passed. As his eyes scanned the ground, he felt gloom settle over him like a shroud.

    ¡°After bleeding dragons and ogres and man-eating cave monsters we get stumped by a stupid flower!¡±

    ¡°Cheer up, Master Toad!¡± said Joe above his head. ¡°The night is not yet lost!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no use, Joe. We¡¯ve looked everywhere. There ain¡¯t any moonflowers and I¡¯m gonna be the one that¡¯s gotta tell Cutter. Maybe ¡ª¡± Toad swallowed. ¡°Maybe Owl will give me some more time.¡± He didn¡¯t feel hopeful.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have this dour look on life when speaking with m¡¯lady,¡± Joe observed.

    ¡°I was trying to tally ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Master means rally ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Whatever! I just don¡¯t want her to be so upset.¡± And much to Toad¡¯s annoyance, this statement was very true. Truer than he intended. It made him upset when Melena was upset. The realization did not improve his mood. If anything, he grew more nettled.

    The lights of the inn were pinpricks in the distance now. He had no idea where Melena and Hazel were.

    ¡°I say, Master Toad, did you explore that thicket?¡± asked Joe suddenly.

    ¡°What thicket?¡± Toad turned in the direction Joe indicated, feeling that every which way of these dratted fields looked the same. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Toad, dismally. ¡°We shoulda put up markers.¡±

    Something large moved in the moonlight, making Toad start.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he hissed, peering nervously in the dark as the shape crossed the field toward the thicket. He held Joe even higher, hoping the mug¡¯s eyes possessed keener sight.

    ¡°Perhaps one of the ravenous elk?¡± Joe suggested.

    The thought that perhaps an elk was on its way to gobble up maybe the very last moonflower ignited Toad¡¯s blood.

    ¡°NO YOU DON¡¯T!¡±

    He barreled forward, shouting at the top of his lungs, waving his arms in the air, making Joe whoop in excitement. The elk froze. Jerking its face around and seeing Toad charging at it like a rhino, it bounded off. Toad skidded to a stop, breathing heavy.

    ¡°Well done, Master Toad!¡± Joe praised. ¡°Perhaps if you do that every night the moonflowers will return!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it when I¡¯m on the run from Owl,¡± heaved Toad dryly. ¡°Hey.¡± Toad straightened. ¡°D¡¯you smell that?¡±

    ¡°I cannot smell anything.¡±

    Toad took a deep breath. Whatever it was was very odd. It was sweet ¡ª almost sickly. Like overripe, rotting fruit. Toad sniffed harder, turning this way and that. He took a few steps to his right and ¡­ yes, the smell was stronger, coming from the thicket Joe had pointed out. He lowered the mug, cradling him in the crook of his elbow, and tried to push his way through the thorny mess. In the dark, it was harder to maneuver and his coat was ensnared repeatedly. After a few choice curses and much kicking, he stumbled through, tripped over a log, and sprawled face-down in the dirt.

    Joe fell from Toad¡¯s grasp and rolled away, coming to a stop against the base of a bush.

    ¡°Master Toad, is this what you and m¡¯lady have been looking for?¡±

    Toad, who was busy saying a few more of his favorite words while wiping his face clear of dirt, did not hear Joe at first.

    ¡°Master Toad ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hold on! Hold ¡ª¡± Toad looked up. His mouth dropped open. Before him was a plant with lanky stems, covered in fine hairs, and on three of those long stems were three large, white flowers. Toad scrambled to his feet, grabbed a stem and snapped it clear, the flower bobbing on its narrow tip. Scooping up Joe, Toad ran full out across the field, shouting for Melena.

    To say that Melena was thrilled was an understatement. She nearly tackled Toad, eyes brimming with tears. They returned to the inn, arm in arm. The lodgers couldn¡¯t believe it; they swarmed the moonflower, the first to be seen in decades, but Toad kept his hand clamped firm around it, refusing to let it be passed around. The proprietor made a fresh pot of cocoa but eventually the overpowering smell of the moonflower began to turn stomachs.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°I¡¯ll put it away,¡± said Melena breathlessly. Holding it like a crystal scepter, she rushed up the stairs to more cheers.

    The lodgers began to turn in after that ¡ª it was, after all exceedingly late ¡ª but Toad stayed down by the bar, too energized for sleep, though he¡¯d been dead on his feet mere hours before. The proprietor gave him another clap on the back, told him to extinguish the last of the lamps and left the bar.

    ¡°Finally found that flower, eh?¡±

    Toad turned. He had thought that everyone had gone to bed, but he was wrong. Sitting at a far booth was a man. His candle had burnt out and the lamp over his head was extinguished; he sat in the bright light of the moon, shining through the window.

    ¡°Yeah!¡± said Toad, beaming.

    The man thumped the table top, inviting Toad to join him. Toad happily accepted, tying Joe back to his belt as he did so.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been watchin¡¯,¡± said the man, leaning an elbow on the table. He had a shaggy, droopy face. ¡°Didn¡¯t think yeh¡¯d do it. People round here ¡¯aven¡¯t seen a moonflower in thirty some years.¡±

    Even though he¡¯d heard this ten times already, Toad felt his chest inflate.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t that hard,¡± he said casually. ¡°Just took some proper looking.¡±

    Toad thought he heard a ¡®humph¡¯ come from his hip.

    ¡°Personally speakin¡¯ mind ¡ª no ¡¯arm intended ¡ª but I don¡¯t see much point in flowers.¡±

    ¡°That one¡¯s important,¡± said Toad.

    ¡°Plannin¡¯ on being a florist, is yeh?¡± said the man with a grin. ¡°Bone¡¯ll love to ¡¯ear that.¡±

    ¡°Bone?¡± said Toad, blankly.

    The man snickered freely now. ¡°He¡¯s been bettin¡¯ that yeh end up doin¡¯ some girly job. He¡¯ll be right glad to ¡¯ear he¡¯s right!¡±

    Toad felt himself grow hot around the collar. ¡°You a Rambler?¡± he asked stiffly, no longer smiling. ¡°I don¡¯t know you. Speak your name if you¡¯re a Rambler!¡±

    ¡°Name¡¯s Vest,¡± said the man, his grin showing blackened teeth. ¡°Newest member.¡±

    ¡°So Bone¡¯s been telling tales about me?¡± Toad demanded.

    Vest¡¯s thin mouth stretched even wider. ¡°Yer his favorite.¡±

    Bone sharing his mishaps to other Ramblers enraged Toad more than usual ¡­ that miles away, Bone could still torment him. Needle him.

    ¡°He told me yeh was the worst Rambler in ¡¯istory,¡± said Vest happily.

    ¡°Did he?¡± said Toad, through clenched teeth.

    ¡°Master Toad ¡ª¡± Joe hissed in warning from his hip.

    ¡°¡®Can¡¯t even pinch a flea!¡¯ That¡¯s what he told me! When I realized it was yeh makin¡¯ such a fuss over a flower, I wanted to be sure I got all the details ¡¯fore ¡¯eadin¡¯ back.¡±

    Toad¡¯s anger boiled over.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what I¡¯ve been doing, and you better be sure to tell Bone all about it!¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± said Vest in amusement.

    Toad¡¯s heart thumped wildly. This was it. He could finally get word back to Jack.

    He leaned close to Vest. ¡°I¡¯m working for Owl.¡±

    ¡°Owl?¡± Vest repeated stupidly.

    ¡°Yeah. Owl. The biggest man in Hickory.¡±

    ¡°I know who Owl is, boy,¡± Vest barked, suddenly annoyed. ¡°Don¡¯t go spoutin¡¯ lies ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I ain¡¯t lying. Owl hired me for a real special job. Top notch.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t ¡¯ire you,¡± said Vest, scathingly. ¡°Why would Owl ¡¯ire some washed up thief?¡±

    ¡°I ain¡¯t no washed up thief!¡± Toad roared. ¡°I can play the game better than anyone!¡± Blood pounded in his ears. A recklessness had come over him. ¡°Wanna know how good I am? I needed someone who knew about potions, so I tricked that girl into tagging along. She worked in an apothecary, see ¡ª she knows everything. And she thinks she¡¯s gettin¡¯ something out of it, ¡¯cuz I pulled her strings just right. She thinks she¡¯s gettin¡¯ dibs on Owl¡¯s money, but she ain¡¯t gettin¡¯ a druet and she doesn¡¯t have a clue! That¡¯s how good I am!¡±

    Vest was not moved.

    ¡°So yer a dirty little liar ¡ª don¡¯t mean yer workin¡¯ fer Owl. Yer makin¡¯ it all up. Yer the worst Rambl ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m the best Rambler!¡± Toad shouted, infuriated. He untied Joe from his belt and slammed him down on the table top. Vest nearly toppled over backward in shock.

    ¡°That¡¯s ¡ª that¡¯s ¡ª¡±

    ¡°The Bewitched Beer Mug of Thieves,¡± said Toad with a nasty grin. ¡°What were you saying?¡±

    Vest¡¯s ability for speech vanished. He mouthed like a catfish.

    ¡°Which makes me your Lord, mate. And you don¡¯t want to go round telling people that the Thief Lord makes up tales, do you?¡±

    Vest shook his head, his scraggly hair whipping about.

    ¡°How about you get going? And tell Bone I¡¯ll see him soon.¡±

    Vest jumped up as if his bench had caught fire. He ran out of the inn and into the night while Toad laughed. No one gossiped more than a thief. Toad was positive that before the night was over, Vest would have told every thief he could lay hands on that the ex-Rambler from Hickory was the new Thief Lord.

    Joe frowned at Toad. ¡°Master Toad, m¡¯lady does believe that she will be reimbursed for her troubles.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Toad, choosing not to look at Joe.

    ¡°Which you will do,¡± said Joe slowly. ¡°Won¡¯t you, Master Toad?¡±

    Toad shifted uncomfortably on the bench, no longer happy. His silence was answer enough.

    Joe looked scandalized.

    ¡°You lied to m¡¯lady?¡±

    ¡°I had to, Joe,¡± Toad pleaded, guilt suddenly curling in his chest. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t have helped me otherwise and I needed her ¡ª I never woulda gotten this far without her.¡±

    ¡°So you lied to her,¡± said Joe, furious.

    ¡°This was before you knew me. I was desperate. I didn¡¯t have anywhere else to go. Owl was gonna kill me ¡­¡±

    Joe was not swayed.

    ¡°You must tell m¡¯lady, Master Toad,¡± he said firmly. ¡°You must tell m¡¯lady at once and pray she does not hoist you up by the ankles!¡±

    ¡°I will! I will!¡± said Toad, holding up his hands in surrender. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­¡± he shimmied again on the bench as Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. ¡°It ain¡¯t gonna go over too well, is it? I¡¯ve been leading her on and that¡¯s not something that¡¯s easy to just say.¡±

    ¡°¡®I played you for a fool and I beg your forgiveness on bended knee,¡¯¡± Joe offered at once.

    Toad shakily cracked a grin and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn¡¯t keep the truth to himself anymore, not now when it was all about to come out.

    Lizard livers, she was going to hate him for this. But could he get her to understand? He wasn¡¯t who he used to be. Lying and cheating and double-crossing was what Toad had lived and breathed for twelve years.

    It would be better ¡ª he knew it would be better ¡ª for Melena to find out from him rather than from Owl.

    Toad rose from the table and picked up Joe, his heart heavy.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell her in the morning. I¡¯ll tell her everything. First thing.¡±

    Joe looked mollified.

    As Toad made his way up the dark stairwell, one thing was for certain: the first chance he got, he would enlist the Ramblers to hunt for Melena¡¯s lost brother, regardless of whether she accepted his help or not. A private detective was nothing compared to the force of such an underground organization.

 Chapter 20: To Seek, To Find

    Melena rushed up the stairs, Hazel at her heels. She couldn¡¯t believe they had done it. They had found the five ingredients to the Seeking Solution. A buggy ride would put them back in Hickory with time to spare. Mr. Owl would pay them their due (or better yet, give Melena a cupful of the potion) and she¡¯d begin her search for Milo. She would never have to work for the Bells again! Tonight was truly the start of a new life.

    Her elation made her dizzy and she flopped down on one of the beds, knees quivering.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to find him, Hazel!¡± Melena cried. ¡°We¡¯ll finally find him!¡±

    In a haze of ecstasy (created mostly by the heavy perfume of the moonflower, still clamped in her hand), she fantasized buying a shop on a sunny street in Hickory. She and Milo would live together and work together. They¡¯d laugh about their long separation as if it was nothing more than a distant, silly memory.

    She and Hazel would never be alone again.

    As Melena¡¯s elation began to settle into contented joy, she rose from the bed and safely tucked the moonflower into her bag. She recounted all the ingredients, making sure they were still there. Then, realizing Toad was still at the bar, she trotted back down the stairs to see what he was up to. If they were going to get on the road quickly in the morning, they needed to get at least a few hours sleep.

    As she descended the dark stairwell, she heard Toad talking to someone, and a sudden string of words made her jerk to a stop.

    ¡°¡ª I tricked that girl into tagging along. She worked in an apothecary, see ¡ª she knows everything. And she thinks she¡¯s gettin¡¯ something out of it, ¡¯cuz I pulled her strings just right. She thinks she¡¯s gettin¡¯ dibs on Owl¡¯s money, but she ain¡¯t gettin¡¯ a druet and she doesn¡¯t have a clue!¡±

    Melena swayed on the step, the rest of the words muted by crashing waves of horror. Toad was going to take all the money? He was going to go to Mr. Owl by himself? It was true that Mr. Owl didn¡¯t know anything about her. Nothing at all.

    And Toad was a thief. He knew how to hide from people. It seemed very unlikely that she would be able to track him down if he decided to run for it.

    Quickly, Melena hurried back up the stairs. Her breath came in short odd gasps. How could Toad do something like that? To her, of all people? After everything that she¡¯d done for him! After everything that they had been through! She had been stupid to think they were friends. You could never trust a thief ¡ª never!

    Melena heard Toad¡¯s feet on the stairs.

    She spun around, ready to accost him for his treachery. But wait ¡ª that wouldn¡¯t do. He¡¯d deny it. Pretend that he had just said those things to impress a fellow thief. And then, the moment her back was turned, he¡¯d steal the ingredients and flee.

    She couldn¡¯t let that happen. She couldn¡¯t let him know that she was on to him. Melena knew what the potion did. What was stopping her from making it herself? Nothing! She didn¡¯t need money to find Milo. She didn¡¯t need to hire Mr. York. Not when the Seeking Solution was at her fingertips!

    The door opened and Toad stepped inside. His face was oddly drawn, but then his eyes found her and he smiled.

    ¡°How far do you think Hickory is from here?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Not far,¡± said Melena, taking herself by surprise at how calm she sounded. ¡°There¡¯s a buggy station down the road. We should try to get a few hours of sleep, before we head out.¡±

    Toad nodded, yawning, and settled onto his bed. Melena went about the room, extinguishing lamps, partly to hurry sleep along, partly to keep her back to him.

    ¡°Melena.¡± There was something in Toad¡¯s voice that stilled her. She turned. In the darkness of the room, she couldn¡¯t make out his face, but their was an uneasy slouch to his shoulders. Had he seen her on the stairs?

    ¡°Thanks. For everything.¡±

    Melena hesitated for half a breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s not over,¡± she said. Melena turned down the last lamp and crossed to her bed by the window. She sat on the edge and waited, listening for Toad¡¯s snores. She ain¡¯t gettin¡¯ a druet and she doesn¡¯t have a clue!

    Melena¡¯s face grew ugly, masked in the dark. She¡¯d see who tricked who.

    Thanks. For everything.

    Something hard and constricting grew in her chest. Melena had never realized how deeply betrayal stung. As she sat there in the dark, waiting for Toad to fall asleep, the ache in her chest intensified.

    You¡¯d thought you¡¯d found a friend. You¡¯re such a fool. He was using you all along.

    Tears pricked her eyes, but they were blinked furiously away. She half-turned on the bed; Toad¡¯s breathing had deepened, slowed.

    Melena sprang into action.

    Softly, she prodded Hazel awake and pressed her finger to her lips when Hazel showed signs of voicing her displeasure. Scooping her bag off the floor, and placing Hazel on her shoulder, Melena scanned the dark room. Her eyes landed on Toad, curled on his side. He was still in his coat, but it had fallen open, and Joe was just visible, his large teeth glinting in the moonlight.

    A blistering savagery erupted in Melena¡¯s chest. It wasn¡¯t enough to take the ingredients. She wanted to cut Toad down from his high horse. So having the talking beer mug made you a Thief Lord? Wouldn¡¯t it be fitting to take him too? Pinching Joe right from under Toad¡¯s nose would wound him just as deeply as the loss of Owl¡¯s reward.

    Making her decision, Melena inched closer, putting one knee on the mattress as she leaned forward, freezing when Toad grunted. Fingers shaking, she undid the rope tying Joe¡¯s handle to Toad¡¯s belt.

    ¡°M¡¯lady?¡±

    Melena slapped her hand over Joe¡¯s mouth. His eyes widened in surprise. She stuffed him into her bag, his objections muffled. Tiptoeing across the floor, she eased the door open and slipped out of the Black Swan.

    <hr>

    Melena knew she was nearing the buggy station as the fourth barreled past her. She stepped from the road and tucked herself behind a boulder. Hazel flapped into the air and curled up on top of it, sunning herself in the pre-dawn.

    Melena¡¯s heart raced. She opened her bag and pulled Bartholomew¡¯s book, Joe, and the ingredients out. The moment she took out Joe, he ceased his constant attempts to gain her notice. Instead he took in the frost-crunched field, the lone boulder, and a passing buggy.

    ¡°M¡¯lady, where is Master Toad?¡±

    Melena ignored Joe, busying herself with lining up the ingredients.

    Joe gave an uncharacteristically heavy sigh. ¡°Oh, dear.¡±

    Melena, who had pulled her potions book close, was scanning the index.

    ¡°M¡¯lady, you should know that whatever you heard in the night, Master Toad didn¡¯t mean ¡ª¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°Oh, he meant it,¡± Melena snarled. ¡°He meant every awful word.¡±

    Joe looked pained.

    ¡°You know Master, m¡¯lady,¡± he tried again. ¡°Master is brazen and hot-headed and puts his foot in his mouth five times a day. He was goaded, m¡¯lady. You must believe Ol¡¯ Joe. Master Toad will be distraught to find you gone ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Melena returned to her book.

    ¡°Let us return, m¡¯lady,¡± Joe cajoled, pretending that he hadn¡¯t heard her. ¡°Let us go back and Master Toad can tell you himself.¡±

    When Melena continued to scan the index in angry silence, Joe asked gently, ¡°What is m¡¯lady looking for?¡±

    ¡°A potion,¡± said Melena shortly, flipping the pages.

    ¡°What kind?¡±

    ¡°One that uses some of these ingredients,¡± said Melena, still turning pages. ¡°Bartholomew doesn¡¯t have the Seeking Solution in here, which is so odd ¡ª he has everything ¡ª but if I can find ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Seeking Solution?¡± asked Joe, his voice sharpening. ¡°Did m¡¯lady say Seeking Solution?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Izzie told me about it. She told me that¡¯s what these ingredients make. It¡¯s so annoying that Bartholomew doesn¡¯t have it.¡±

    ¡°Well, Bartholomew was a baboon,¡± Joe stated. ¡°He thought he was the highest authority of the Cauldron. Imbecile,¡± he added.

    Melena, who was busily flipping pages, was not paying close attention and so did not catch that Joe had, once again, insulted her favorite potioneer. She was becoming increasingly irritated. Was she supposed to soak the elfin moss in the Mirg water? Should the roc talon be pulverized? Was the unicorn hair more potent added at the beginning or the end? And what part of the moonflower was to be used? Petals, pollen, or both? Not to mention the glaring issue of this supposedly special ¡®Vessel¡¯ that the potion was designed for. Would she ruin it if she concocted it in a regular cauldron?

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing!¡± Melena shouted, slamming the book shut. ¡°This is no use to me at all!¡±

    This violence toward Bartholomew made Joe¡¯s eyes spin happily.

    ¡°Perhaps I may be of assistance, m¡¯lady?¡±

    ¡°You? What do you know about potion brewing? I shouldn¡¯t have been so stupid. The Seeking Solution can¡¯t possibly be real. How can there be a potion that Bartholomew hasn¡¯t heard of? Maybe I should just take the ingredients to Mr. Owl. I can tell him that I helped Toad and he and I got separated and ¡ª¡±

    Joe, who had chuckled when Melena had assumed he knew nothing about potions, blanched at the rest of her speech. ¡°You put too much weight in Bartholomew, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe cried. ¡°He had his achievements ¡ª I will give him that, but no more! He knows nothing of the Seeking Solution ¡ª¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been saying ¡ª¡±

    ¡° ¡ª the greatest achievement to date ¡ª¡±

    ¡°How am I supposed to ¡ª¡±

    ¡°To hear him prattle about possibilities and then pointedly ignore ¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s so frustrating ¡ª¡±

    ¡°When I was practically under his nose!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t make a potion without ¡ª what did you say?¡±

    Joe was no longer grinning. His fat lips were clamped tight over his large teeth and he breathed heavily through his nose.

    ¡°Years of torment, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe seethed passionately. ¡°If you could have heard the wrathful things he would say about me and still remain so blinded! He disregarded the Seeking Solution and called it nothing more than gibberish and fish eggs all because he could never believe I existed!¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? You know about the Seeking Solution?¡±

    ¡°Know of it? HA!¡± Joe shouted, eyes popping. ¡°I am the Vessel! I am the key component! I am the Seeking Solution!¡±

    Melena stared.

    ¡°You¡¯re serious,¡± she said slowly. ¡°You¡¯re the Vessel?¡±

    ¡°Of course I am the Vessel!¡±

    ¡°But you knew the ingredients we were getting,¡± said Melena. ¡°You¡¯ve been hearing us talking about them for ages. Why didn¡¯t you say something earlier?¡±

    Joe ignored her. He had worked himself into too high a rage.

    ¡°Ignoring my existence,¡± he stormed, ¡°while I sat under his engorged snout! And now to go further and poison the minds of generations with his blindness! The audacity! The disgrace! The ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Mr. Joe.¡±

    Joe froze in mid word. He looked so comical with his mouth ajar that a giggle escaped Melena. Joe might have been dubbed numerous titles, but Mr. seemed a first.

    ¡°If you are the master of the Seeking Solution, then why don¡¯t you help me?¡±

    A faint pink tinged Joe¡¯s cheeks. He looked suddenly wrong-footed.

    ¡°I would, of course, like to help m¡¯lady, but I still think it would be better to return to Master Toad.¡±

    Melena resisted the urge to scowl. Why wouldn¡¯t Joe just do what she said?! Instead of snapping at the mug, she bit her lip in what she hoped was a conflicted fashion.

    ¡°Joe ¡­ I just don¡¯t know if I can¡ª¡±

    ¡°Oh, but if m¡¯lady would just return to the inn,¡± Joe insisted, ¡°and speak with Master Toad, m¡¯lady would feel so much better! Ol¡¯ Joe is sure of it!¡±

    ¡°But ¡­ Joe ¡­ you know that Toad wants to give the ingredients to Mr. Owl and ¡­¡± She bit her lip again. Her eyes fell to her lap. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to find my brother for so long, Joe ¡­ and you can help me. You can help me right now. I¡¯ll ¡ª¡± Melena raised her eyes and met Joe¡¯s brilliant blue ones. ¡°If you help me with the potion, I promise I¡¯ll go back and talk to Toad. Please,¡± Melena whispered. ¡°Please help me.¡±

    Joe¡¯s marble eyes glistened, his fat bottom lip trembled.

    ¡°Well,¡± he said hesitantly, his voice slightly choked with emotion, ¡°of course Ol¡¯ Joe understands ¡­ I suppose ¡ª if m¡¯lady so wishes ¡ª that is to say ¡ª perhaps it wouldn¡¯t hurt ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wonderful!¡± Melena cried. ¡°What do I do?¡±

    ¡°Let me see. You ¡­ you have all the ingredients ¡­ yes, quite. Now, first things first. I can only Seek one item or person.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± said Melena quickly. ¡°It¡¯s my ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Brother, yes,¡± Joe interrupted. ¡°The potion¡¯s effects will dissipate once you have found him. Literally found him. Now, give me all the ingredients.¡±

    Melena picked up the moonflower before pausing as Joe¡¯s instruction sunk in.

    ¡°All of them?¡±

    ¡°Quite.¡±

    ¡°Do I put the water in before the flower?¡±

    ¡°If you wish.¡±

    Melena blinked. ¡°What d¡¯you mean, ¡®if I wish¡¯? Isn¡¯t there an order?¡±

    ¡°The order of moss, hair, flower, water, and talon means nothing,¡± said Joe. ¡°Just add them as you wish.¡±

    ¡°How do I prepare them? Should I shred the petals?¡±

    ¡°If m¡¯lady likes, though such actions will be pointless.¡±

    Melena, who had been trained that potions had very specific rules, with the order and proper preparation of ingredients being highly, if not devastatingly important, felt very uncomfortable. But she did as Joe said, packing the ingredients one after the other inside the mug and then pouring a flask of Mirg water on top. There were so many ingredients, and the moonflower was so large, that Joe looked more like a demented garden pot who had just sat through a heavy downpour than a beer mug, with moss and petals threatening to overflow from his rim.

    ¡°Now add what you seek,¡± Joe instructed, puffing a petal out of his eyes.

    ¡°I ¡­ what?¡±

    ¡°What it is that you seek. Add it.¡±

    ¡°But ¡ª¡± Melena didn¡¯t want to make Joe angry again, but she didn¡¯t understand. ¡°I¡¯m looking for my brother.¡±

    ¡°Yes, m¡¯lady, I know that,¡± said Joe in a sharper tone than usual.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not following you. How am I supposed to add my brother?¡±

    Joe actually laughed.

    ¡°In order for me to find the one you seek I need a match. Something that is a part of him. Do you have anything that belonged to him and him alone?¡±

    ¡°I ¡ª¡± Melena was going to say ¡®no, I don¡¯t¡¯ when she realized with a jolt that she was wrong. She did possess something of Milo¡¯s. She had since the day of the fire. She had carried it with her every day, slept with it every night, and never once realized the importance of what she had round her neck. Heart jumping, she withdrew her mother¡¯s locket from under the confines of her shirt. She opened its latched doors with trembling fingers and took out a small lock of hair bound by a tiny blue ribbon. The number of times she had opened the locket during lonely nights with the Bells, and never once guessed the importance of what she carried¡­

    ¡°Will his hair do?¡± she asked.

    ¡°As long as it is his.¡±

    Melena couldn¡¯t imagine whose else it could be. Her own tiny snip of hair remained in the locket, bound by a faded pink ribbon.

    She dropped the honey-colored lock on top of the mess of ingredients. She didn¡¯t have any idea what would happen. Perhaps a sinister sizzle or a great puff of smoke. Instead, everything Melena had placed inside the beer mug, the chipped talon, the glistening hairs, the glowing moss, the shimmering water, the sickly-scented flower, the lock of hair ¡ª vanished.

    At once, Melena knew something was wrong. ¡°What happened? Where did they go? Joe, what happened?¡±

    Joe was silent.

    ¡°Joe ¡ª talk to me! What happened? Where did the ingredients go?¡±

    When Joe still did not respond, Melena panicked. She picked him up and shook him, but Joe hardly seemed to notice. He remained abnormally still, almost as if he were standing at attention, waiting to leap into action at the sound of a command. She peered at him closely, so close their noses touched.

    A terrifying and thrilling thought came over her. What if it had worked ¡­ what if Joe was waiting¡­

    ¡°Joe,¡± Melena began quietly, ¡°do you know where Milo Snead is?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Joe.

    Melena swallowed. Her hands began to shake.

    ¡°Is he ¡­ alive?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Melena¡¯s heart could have sprouted wings and soared away. Alive! Milo was alive! All these years ¡ª she had been right!

    ¡°Where is he, Joe? Where is he?¡±

    ¡°Black Swan Inn. 2<sup>nd</sup> floor. Room 5B.¡±

    Melena stared. That couldn¡¯t be right. She had just come from the Black Swan. She would have known if a Milo was there. They had chatted with all the lodgers.

    ¡°Milo¡¯s there? At the inn?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°But Joe¡± ¡ª Melena even found herself laughing at how ridiculous that was ¡ª ¡°we were just there.¡±

    Joe was silent. Melena glared at him.

    ¡°Stop fooling around. Tell me where Milo is.¡±

    ¡°Black Swan Inn. 2<sup>nd</sup> floor. Room 5B.¡±

    ¡°You just said that,¡± said Melena, growing frustrated. ¡°He can¡¯t be ¡ª ¡± Her voice died in her throat. Room 5B? 5B? It couldn¡¯t be. It couldn¡¯t possibly ¡­

    Joe continued to stare forward as if fixated on an invisible target. The wild urge to toss him away in the grass nearly took her breath away. She desperately wanted to ask but she also desperately wanted to flee from the spot and never look back.

    ¡°Joe,¡± Melena whispered, voice trembling, ¡°is Milo Toad?¡±

 Chapter 21: Double-Crossed

    The door banged open and Toad jerked awake. Before he could rid his eyes of sleep, rough hands grabbed him and yanked him to his feet.

    ¡°This the blighter?¡± said a gruff voice.

    ¡°Yeah ¡ª that¡¯s ¡¯im, Glenn!¡±

    Toad recognized the second speaker¡¯s voice and he saw the same scraggly-haired fellow from the bar before a musty-smelling bag covered his head.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Toad shouted, struggling in his captor¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Search the place!¡± Glenn ordered, keeping a fast hold on Toad.

    Toad heard the sounds of a vicious search going underway. A loud rip told him the cushion of the armchair had been slashed and next, the two mattresses met a similar fate. He didn¡¯t understand where Melena and Hazel were. If they were in the room with him, they were mute, which didn¡¯t make sense at all. It could only mean that they were downstairs and did not know their room was being ransacked.

    There was a crash and a swear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t wake up the whole joint, Vest!¡± Glenn growled. ¡°Just find it!¡±

    They¡¯re looking for the flower, thought Toad, his stomach lurching. Why had he blabbed last night? They were going to steal it or possibly the entire bagful of ingredients, in hopes of getting the bounty from Owl themselves. What they would do when they discovered Owl was never going to pay Toad¡­

    ¡°There ain¡¯t nuthin¡¯ ¡¯ere!¡± Vest swore.

    The bag over Toad¡¯s head was yanked off. The man before him smelled even worse than the musty bag had ¡ª a mixture of rotten eggs and manure-splattered boots.

    ¡°Talk,¡± Glenn snarled.

    Now that he could see, Toad quickly took stock of the room. Every bit of it was upended. All the fluff from the cushions and beds lay in thick clumps on the floor. As he had suspected, Melena and Hazel were nowhere to be seen. Relief swept through him. The ingredients were safe. Melena had taken them with her ¡ª she was probably having an early breakfast. As long as she didn¡¯t come back up to wake him ¡ª

    ¡°Don¡¯t clam up now,¡± breathed the man in Toad¡¯s face. ¡°Or would ya rather me slit your throat?¡±

    ¡°Slitting my throat won¡¯t help you,¡± said Toad stoutly. ¡°There ain¡¯t nuthin¡¯ you can do to make me talk.¡±

    ¡°Search ¡¯is pockets!¡± said Vest excitedly.

    Glenn and Vest roughly dug their hands into every pocket of Toad¡¯s coat, but they found nothing. Losing his temper, Glenn grabbed the front of Toad¡¯s collar and yanked him close.

    ¡°If ya don¡¯t tell me where ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Glenn ¡ª wait! What about the girl?¡± said Vest and Toad¡¯s heart turned over.

    ¡°What girl?¡± Glenn spat.

    ¡°He said he was with a girl!¡±

    ¡°Well, where is she?¡± Glenn demanded.

    Vest looked around the room as if he thought he had missed her in his initial search. ¡°I¡¯ll look downstairs.¡± He dashed through the door.

    Glenn kept his hold on Toad. They glared daggers at each other. After a short stretch, heavy boots sounded on the stairs and Vest bounded back into the room empty handed. ¡°She ain¡¯t there,¡± he announced sourly.

    This caused a curious sensation inside Toad. He was filled with elation that Melena had not been found, but then ¡­ where was she?

    ¡°She must be hiding! Where is she, boy?¡± Glenn growled, giving Toad a shake.

    ¡°I ain¡¯t telling you nuthin¡¯!¡± Toad repeated hotly.

    Furious, Glenn swung Toad around and pushed him up against the wall, making picture frames rattle. ¡°Have ya looked under the beds?¡± Glenn roared at Vest. ¡°Did ya look there?¡±

    ¡°Yeah ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Look again!¡±

    As Vest lowered to his knees, and peered under a bed, grumbling, Toad laughed.

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Glenn growled dangerously.

    ¡°Even if you find the ingredients, Owl won¡¯t have nuthin¡¯ to do with you. He¡¯s my client, see. Mine!¡± Toad jeered in the brute¡¯s face. ¡°He won¡¯t take nuthin¡¯ from your grubby paws.¡± This was far from true. Toad was sure Owl would take the ingredients from anyone, but the chance to prod the oaf was too good to resist.

    ¡°What ya babblin¡¯ about?¡± Glenn spat, spittle hitting Toad in the face. ¡°We ain¡¯t lookin¡¯ fer no ingredients!¡±

    This took Toad by surprise.

    ¡°What you looking for then?¡± he asked, nonplussed.

    ¡°Joe, ya bleedin¡¯ fool! The Beer Mug o¡¯ Thieves! Ya was wavin¡¯ him right under Vest¡¯s snotty nose! Where is he?¡±

    Toad stared. They were looking for Joe? Toad was so relieved, so thrilled, that he grinned ¡ª almost laughed ¡ª until something dawned on him. He hadn¡¯t untied Joe from his belt last night. He had been so tired and so worried about the inescapable talk with Melena that he¡¯d forgotten, which meant that Glenn and Vest should have found Joe when they¡¯d searched him ¡­ So where was he?

    A chill slipped into Toad¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Joe?¡± he asked to no one in particular.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been sayin¡¯, ya blasted loon!¡± Glenn shouted.

    ¡°He was here ¡ª¡± Toad muttered, disbelieving. His eyes roamed the destroyed room, his left hand patting his hip. ¡°Why ain¡¯t he? Why¡­¡± Realization hit Toad with such force that he actually jerked.

    Joe was gone.

    The bag of ingredients was gone.

    Hazel was gone.

    Melena was gone.

    Toad swore at the top of his voice. This surprised Glenn so much that he actually dropped his hold of Toad and took a startled step back.

    Melena was gone. She had taken everything. She was heading to Owl.

    Toad barreled past Glenn and Vest. He exploded out of the inn and raced down the road. Who knew how long ago she had left? She could be hours ¡ª miles ahead of him! And she didn¡¯t know about Cutter. If she bumped into him ¡ª

    Toad ran harder.

    Why had she taken off? She couldn¡¯t have been planning this all along, could she? The thought was too horrible to bear. Toad was the untrustworthy one, not Melena.

    He was forced to stop, gasping for breath, a stitch, sharp and painful in his side. The inn was out of sight now. It appeared that Glenn and Vest were not following him and Melena was nowhere to be seen. The buggy station couldn¡¯t be much farther. The only destination that made any sense was Hickory. But why? Why had she left?

    Something must have brought on such a drastic action. Melena willingly stealing was as unbelievable as Bone baking cakes. Toad¡¯s heart turned over. Had she heard him last night? The bar, stairs, and landing had been dark. Toad tried to think back, tried to remember hearing a creak or shuffle, but he¡¯d been too preoccupied to know for sure. She had seemed normal in their room ... hadn¡¯t she?

    Had she ¡­ had she really played him for a fool?

    Double-crossing was not foreign to Toad. It was a daily occurrence ¡ª an expected one when you were a thief. So why did he feel so ¡­ so ¡­

    Toad screwed up his face and hid it in his palms. He didn¡¯t want to admit it to himself.

    He¡¯d never been double-crossed by a friend.

    Wasn¡¯t that what he and Melena were? Friends? Of course he had fully intended to steal the ingredients from her when he¡¯d first met her, but that had been before their adventures, before they¡¯d gotten to know each other. Now, as he stood on the empty road, he realized just how much he liked Melena¡¯s company. He¡¯d been looking forward to their next adventure very keenly: finding her brother.

    His mouth twisted. ¡°The joke¡¯s on her. Owl won¡¯t give her anything.¡±

    He would, most likely, kill her.

    The thought made Toad¡¯s blood run cold. He wouldn¡¯t let that happen. He¡¯d track her down ¡ª he¡¯d convince her that they¡¯d get some money from Owl for the ingredients. He¡¯d make this right.

    Toad started running again, but the rumble of wheels made him stop. He jumped off the road, darting into the shrubbery by the lane and when the buggy shot past, he leapt, like he¡¯d showed Melena how to so long ago. For a heart stopping moment, his foot slipped, but he tightened his hold and settled more securely on the back rails, hair whipping into his eyes.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    <hr>

    ¡°Joe,¡± Melena whispered, voice trembling, ¡°is Milo Toad?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Joe.

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Joe, impatiently.

    ¡°But ¡ª how? How can he be Milo?¡± Melena couldn¡¯t believe it. Joe was wrong. The potion hadn¡¯t worked properly.

    Joe glared at Melena, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. He said tartly, ¡°Does m¡¯lady wish to find her brother?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Of cour ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Black Swan Inn. 2nd floor. Room 5B. Shall we go?¡±

    ¡°But Joe,¡± Melena said pleadingly, as if trying to reason with an unreasonable person, ¡°you know this can¡¯t be right. You know it. Toad has a father ¡ª a pirate. He said so.¡±

    ¡°Has m¡¯lady believed something that was probably untrue?¡±

    ¡°You mean he made it up? It never seemed to me that he made it up. He sounded very, very sure about it.¡±

    If Joe could have he would have shrugged. ¡°People are odd.¡±

    Toad was Milo? Milo? But they didn¡¯t look anything alike. Toad¡¯s hair was dark as black cardamom pods, hers as yellow as a haystack. Toad¡¯s face was heart-shaped face, hers long and narrow. Their noses were different. Their eyes were different.

    In all her time imagining her brother, she had pictured him older. Never once had she considered the possibility that he would be close to her own age ¡­ that he could in fact, be younger.

    But he had been about to double-cross her. He¡¯d admitted it to that man in the bar, but was it possible that Joe was right about that too? Had Toad let his anger get the best of him and said something he hadn¡¯t meant? If that was true, then she had left him behind for no reason. What would he think when he woke and saw she and Joe gone?

    Meanwhile, Joe was at the end of his tether.

    ¡°M¡¯lady!¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yes,¡± said Melena breathlessly. ¡°We¡¯ve got to hurry.¡±

    Joe looked close to saying something waspish, but Melena put him away inside her bag before he could.

    She hadn¡¯t traveled far. If she ran she¡¯d be there before the cook rose.

    But the cook had already risen. He stared at her in befuddlement, pausing in his search for breakfast ingredients, as she burst into the inn, wheezing. She didn¡¯t pause to catch her breath. Save for the staring cook, the bar was just as empty and dark as when she¡¯d left it. She raced up the stairs, two at a time, and tumbled into the room they had been renting.

    ¡°Toa ¡ª AGHH!¡±

    Her foot landed on a bed-knob and it rolled out from under her, sending her falling flat on her back. Hazel, who had been perched on Melena¡¯s shoulder, flapped into the air with an angry hiss and landed on an overturned armchair, ruffling her wings.

    ¡°Ow.¡± Melena sat upright and stared about in shock. Every inch of floor was littered with debris: bed posts, shattered ink bottles, torn bits of paper, goose feathers and woolen fluff. Melena stood and turned in a circle. What had happened? Where was Toad?

    Melena pulled her knapsack close and dug inside it.

    ¡°He¡¯s not here,¡± she said to Joe.

    ¡°Of course not. He¡¯s on a Kentmorth buggy, heading southeast,¡± said Joe promptly.

    ¡°What do you mean he¡¯s on a buggy?¡± said Melena, startled. ¡°How can he be on a buggy? You just said he was here!¡±

    ¡°Yes. And now he¡¯s not,¡± said Joe, unmoved.

    A strangled oath escaped Melena. ¡°He must be going to Hickory. He must think that I¡¯m ahead of him, that I¡¯m going to Mr. Owl.¡±

    ¡°That would be a reasonable deduction,¡± Joe agreed.

    Sweet Charlotte, they¡¯d probably been minutes from passing each other! She¡¯d been practically at the buggy station. The knowledge that Toad was headed to Hickory didn¡¯t explain the state of the room, though. Perhaps in his rage at thinking she¡¯d double-crossed him, he¡¯d torn the room apart? As dramatic as Toad could be, that seemed excessive.

    There was only one thing to it. She¡¯d have to run back to the station. Maybe he wasn¡¯t too far ahead of her and she¡¯d meet him on the road.

    ¡°Who let loose the tornado?¡±

    Melena spun around. A man stood in the doorway. He wasn¡¯t one of the lodgers, but she had the feeling that she¡¯d seen him before. With a start, she recognized him as the man from the train. His name had been something odd ¡­ Butter ¡­ Flutter ¡­

    ¡°Cutter!¡± Joe cried in alarm. ¡°M¡¯lady, this ruffian is no good! He threatened Master Toad!¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I was there when he accosted young master. I tell you m¡¯lady, he is no good!¡± Joe insisted.

    Melena looked from Joe to the man in mounting confusion. But both Toad and he had met on the train right in front of her, and they hadn¡¯t acted like they¡¯d known each other ¡­

    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d say this, but you should listen to the mug,¡± said the man. He stepped further into the upended room, inspecting the clutter with mild interest. ¡°Toad at least kept his guard up ¡­ you¡± ¡ª Cutter snorted derisively ¡ª ¡°you never had a clue. Blind as a mole, you are.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Melena demanded, clutching her bag and Joe tighter to her chest. With a clatter, Hazel joined her, claws squeezing reassuringly on her shoulder.

    ¡°The job. The job for Mr. Owl. You didn¡¯t really think he¡¯d hired Toad?¡± said Cutter, scathingly. ¡°A runty, pathetic whelp like him? Mr. Owl would have let me take care of him right then and there at the house if it hadn¡¯t been for those guards keeping watch, so he scared Toad up nice and proper, told him to fetch him five impossible ingredients or else, just to watch the idiot sweat, and boy,¡± Cutter laughed, ¡°was he sweating! He didn¡¯t know it, but I followed him. I was going to cut him up in a back alley, but the rat knew shortcuts that I didn¡¯t. Finally tracked him down heading out of the city with you.¡±

    Melena was too horror struck to speak. Cutter continued, stepping further into the room, eyes sweeping the floor.

    ¡°I decided to tail you, see if you¡¯d actually manage it. The way you two were talking you sounded mighty determined. When you got that unicorn¡¯s hair, Mr. Owl told me to keep an eye on your progress.¡±

    ¡°Just for the heck of it?¡± Melena snarled. Had they really risked their lives for a sinister, practical joke?

    ¡°Oh, no,¡± said Cutter, eyes flicking up to her. ¡°Oh, no, Mr. Owl¡¯s been after those ingredients for a good long while. He wants them and he wants them bad. You¡¯re the first two to finally do it. Mr. Owl¡¯s surprised, but right pleased. Where¡¯s Toad?¡± Cutter asked suddenly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Melena. As Cutter had moved into the room, she had retreated. Her eyes darted to the open door, but she¡¯d never make it past him.

    ¡°Did a runner, did he?¡± said Cutter, unmoved. ¡°No surprise there, but no mind. I¡¯ll find him later. Now ¡ª¡± Cutter finally stopped his inspection of the room, putting his whole attention on Melena. Hazel¡¯s claws squeezed a little tighter on her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll be having that bag.¡±

    Melena¡¯s hands convulsed on the knapsack. The ingredients were gone, save a lone bottle of Mirg water.

    ¡°Toad ran off with them,¡± she said in a rush. ¡°We had a fight and he ran off with them ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±

    Fear was like an itch on her skin.

    ¡°It¡¯s the truth!¡± she cried. ¡°Here! Here!¡± She threw the bag at him. ¡°See for yourself! He took all of it!¡±

    Cutter¡¯s face grew ugly as he groped inside the bag. He extracted the extra bottle from Mirg before tossing it and the bag away.

    ¡°Where is he, girl?¡±

    ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t know!¡±

    Melena took hurried steps back as Cutter advanced. An ink bottle cracked beneath the heel of her foot. Hazel growled, smoke curling around her snout.

    ¡°Toad knew I was following,¡± Cutter argued, his dark eyes narrowed. ¡°He could have told you to play the fool while he turned tail¡ª¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t!¡± Melena cried. ¡°He took the ingredients for himself ¡ª I don¡¯t know where he is! I don¡¯t know!¡±

    A sharp, broad knife was in Cutter¡¯s hand, appearing there like an extension of his arm; Melena¡¯s back hit the wall ¡ª

    ¡°What is this?¡±

    Cutter whirled around. The big-bellied proprietor stood in the doorway, stupefied by the state of his room and Hazel struck. She leapt from Melena¡¯s shoulders. Cutter turned, but not in time. With a vicious snarl, Hazel sunk her claws into his face. Cutter bellowed; the knife flashed.

    ¡°NO!¡± Melena dove forward, tackling Cutter. They both toppled into the wardrobe, its doors and drawers ripped off their hinges. Cutter¡¯s leg kicked out, catching Melena in the stomach. Winded, she doubled up. Hazel flew back into the air, snarling, and Cutter clutched at his bleeding face with one hand while the other whipped the knife wildly. He was screaming. Hazel had pierced his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯LL KILL YOU!¡± Cutter roared. ¡°I¡¯LL KILL YOU!¡±

    The knife swung within an inch of Melena¡¯s face; she scrambled backward.

    ¡°Call the constable!¡± the proprietor yelled. The noise had woken the rest of the inn. The landing outside the room was full of confused and frightened lodgers in slippers and dressing gowns.

    ¡°Where are you!¡± Cutter screamed, still swinging the knife, his face scarlet with blood. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you! I¡¯LL KILL YOU!¡±

    ¡°Run, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe shouted.

    Melena got to her feet. She snatched up the bag and little bottle from the floor; Hazel shot into the hallway over the panicking lodgers¡¯ heads.

    ¡°Wait just one minute ¡ª¡± But Melena pushed past the proprietor. She flew down the stairs and out into the sunlight, sprinting, arms pumping, Cutter¡¯s pained and enraged roars still audible.

    It was pure adrenalin and terror that kept her going. She was beyond breathless when she staggered to a stop at the buggy station.

    ¡°Joe ¡ª where¡¯s ¡ª Toad ¡ª now?¡± Melena heaved.

    ¡°Still on his buggy, m¡¯lady,¡± said Joe immediately.

    She wanted to rest, but she knew that if she sat on the packed earth, she¡¯d never rise again. Only one buggy was at the station, the driver brushing down his horse. Gulping for air, she hurried to him.

    ¡°I need to get to Hickory.¡±

    The man didn¡¯t even pause in his brushing. ¡°Twelve gorents,¡± he grunted.

    Melena¡¯s heart froze mid beat. Twelve gorents? She only had five druets left. As she stood in horrified silence, the driver finally looked at her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t do charity,¡± he said firmly. ¡°No money, no transport.¡±

    ¡°M¡¯lady,¡± Joe hissed impatiently. ¡°Master¡¯s getting away.¡±

    ¡°Please. I have to get to Hickory. I¡¯ll pay you back.¡±

    ¡°Not how this works, girl,¡± said the driver, his focus back on his horse. ¡°How about you run along back home, eh?¡±

    Melena felt numb. How was she going to get to Hickory? After Cutter, the potion, Toad, after everything that had happened, the thought of being stuck in Piddleton with no way of moving forward left her winded. This couldn¡¯t end here!

    ¡°Passage to Hickory,¡± said a new, sharp voice.

    The driver turned, his attention now on a woman with flaming red hair, thick curls barely contained by straining pins. The driver pushed Melena out of the way, hurrying to the woman.

    She cut her sharp eyes to Melena.

    ¡°Did you need passage?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind her, madam,¡± said the driver in an undertone, obviously embarrassed. ¡°Kids are always playing pranks these days.¡±

    The woman ignored him.

    ¡°Did you?¡± she asked again, speaking only to Melena.

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Melena.

    The woman fished inside her money bag again to pay for a second fare.

    ¡°Well,¡± she said, still in her no-nonsense voice, ¡°hop to it.¡±

    Melena wasn¡¯t sure if the woman was addressing her or the driver, but they both jumped into action, the driver hastily attaching the woman¡¯s suitcase to the harness at the buggy¡¯s rear and Melena clambering inside the carriage, Hazel flapping after her. The woman followed, carefully moving her skirt out of the way as the door slammed shut. With a lurch and a whistle from the driver, the buggy moved.

    Melena couldn¡¯t stop from looking out the window. She wasn¡¯t sure what she expected to see there: a brigade of Piddleton Guards, chasing after her, or Cutter, screaming and stumbling, front soaked in blood.

    ¡°Honey nugget?¡±

    Melena turned back around, facing her new companion. The red-haired woman held out a tin box of toffee-colored candies. Melena took one just to have something to do.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Melena, ¡°for paying for me.¡± She fished inside her knapsack for her money pouch. ¡°I have five druets. Please, take them.¡±

    But the woman happily shook her head, gently pushing the offered coins away.

    ¡°Not a bother. What has you in such a rush to be in Hickory?¡± The woman plucked a candy for herself from the colorful wrapping.

    ¡°My brother¡¯s there.¡± The words came so easily and readily that they took Melena by surprise.

    ¡°Oh really?¡± said the woman. ¡°I¡¯m off to see my sister and brother, too, as happens. Here¡¯s to family reunions,¡± she said good naturally, though there was a wry twist to her mouth that told Melena that not all reunions were what they were cracked up to be. ¡°Do you mind?¡±

    Melena looked at her. She was holding out another honey nugget, eyebrows raised in question.

    ¡°Your Spit-Fire,¡± she said. ¡°Honey¡¯s excellent for their circulation. Do you mind if she has one?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Melena, taken aback. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡°I train Spit-Fires,¡± the woman explained, holding the sweet out for Hazel who gave a preliminary sniff before gobbling it whole. ¡°The cases I get ¡­¡± she let out a strained sigh. ¡°Some days I don¡¯t know why I bother ¡ª Sweet Charlotte!¡± Her eyes had found Joe, resting between Melena¡¯s hip and the buggy door. ¡°What¡¯s ¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a gift,¡± said Melena quickly, ¡°for my brother.¡±

    Joe was still as a statue, but Melena thought that his cheek might have twitched in amusement.

    ¡°It¡¯s quite ¡­ original,¡± said the woman awkwardly. She offered the tin again and they fell into companionable silence. But Melena, though her breathing had finally steadied, could not stop the anxious jumping of her leg.

    Quicker. Faster. She urged the horse silently onward, watching for a buggy with a boy perched like a bird on the back rails, but though the road became increasingly busy with traffic, she didn¡¯t spot Toad once on the way to Hickory.

 Chapter 22: The Mischievous House of Ramble

    Toad hopped off the buggy as it passed the bakery. His arms and legs trembled with exhaustion from gripping onto the buggy for so long. The moment his feet stood on solid ground, his legs gave out and he wobbled sideways, seeking refuge in a vacant alleyway. He leaned up against the wall but his legs refused to hold him. He slid to the dirty pavement, legs shaking, heart quivering. He was home. For a moment, Toad took it all in, relishing his return to the city he loved.

    But the question remained: What to do now?

    Should he go to Owl without the ingredients? That seemed stupidly dangerous. But where else would Melena be, if not with Owl? Was she already at the big, bricked house? Or was she wandering the streets, asking passersby the way, for Toad was sure Melena had never heard of Owl before he¡¯d broken into her apothecary.

    He could wait on the lane outside Owl¡¯s house. Hide in a bush, or something. And if she was already inside?

    Toad gulped. Well, he¡¯d sneaked into Owl¡¯s house once. He could do it again.

    Toad got back to his feet, trying to ignore his aching muscles, and ran out of the alley just as an old woman crossed in front of him. Toad barely had time to jump out of the way, but his arm caught her bag, sending it flying into the air. Shopping goods scattered onto the sidewalk.

    ¡°You earworm!¡± the old lady shrieked as onions rolled. ¡°Look where you¡¯re going!¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± said Toad. ¡°Didn¡¯t see you.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t see me!¡± the woman screeched, indignant. ¡°I was standing right here!¡±

    ¡°Sorry!¡± As Toad hurried away, an onion bounced off his back.

    <hr>

    ¡°Where would you like to get dropped off?¡± asked the red-haired woman, as Hickory shops swept past the buggy¡¯s windows.

    Melena shot a covert glance down at Joe, who gave the tiniest of winks.

    ¡°This¡¯ll do.¡±

    The woman leaned forward and rapped on the glass behind the driver. He pulled up on the reins and the buggy sidled up to a curb.

    ¡°I hope your brother likes his gift,¡± said the woman as Melena and Hazel stepped down from the buggy.

    ¡°Thank you!¡± said Melena. The woman gave a short nod, shut the door and the buggy moved back into action.

    ¡°All right Joe,¡± said Melena at once. ¡°Where is he?¡±

    ¡°21st Street, East Hickory.¡±

    Melena spun on the spot, trying to get her bearings. She shouldered her knapsack, and with Hazel perched on the other, set off.

    ¡°Quickly, m¡¯lady!¡± Joe urged.

    Melena broke into a run, weaving through pedestrians. She zinged around a corner ¡ª

    And collided into an old woman. They fell in a tangle of legs, arms and shawls. Joe rolled across the pavement with an indignant, ¡°I say!¡± Hazel let out a loud screech and burst into the air. Melena was showered in onions.

    ¡°FOR THE LOVE OF¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m so, so sorry!¡±

    ¡°ARE YOU CHILDREN BLIND?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t looking¡ª¡±

    ¡°IF I CRACKED A HIP, YOU¡¯RE GOING TO WISH YOU WERE A PICKLED SNAIL!¡±

    With many frantic apologies, Melena quickly retreated. Scooping up Joe, she escaped into the staring crowd. Now that she was on 21st Street, her eyes darted, searching for a familiar mess of brown hair.

    But there were too many people, the street as clogged as a drain pipe. Hazel fluttered down onto a lamppost, peering over heads.

    ¡°Oh, this is impossible,¡± Melena cursed. ¡°I can¡¯t see him.¡±

    ¡°That is because he is now on Lendell Avenue, m¡¯lady,¡± said Joe. ¡°Master Toad is not stagnant.¡±

    Melena had taken one step to the left towards a distant street sign that read ¡®Lendell Avenue¡¯ when Joe spoke again.

    ¡°Bower Street.¡±

    ¡°Bower?¡± repeated Melena, stopping in her tracks. ¡°What about Lendell?¡±

    ¡°It is Bower Street now, m¡¯lady.¡±

    ¡°How did he get all the way to Bower Street? That¡¯s what ¡ª two, three blocks from here?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps Master Toad knows a shortcut,¡± mused Joe.

    Melena scowled. Of course Toad knew shortcuts.

    Another lengthy, weaving dash and she found herself on Bower Street. One swift sweep of the quiet neighborhood revealed that Toad was no where in sight. She quickly found the house that Joe pointed her to, sitting stoutly behind a thick patch of maze-trimmed hedges, the entire property encircled by a tall, wrought iron fence. Melena stood at the gate and gave it a push; it was locked.

    ¡°M¡¯lady, this is causing a most displeasing delay.¡±

    ¡°Well, what am I supposed to do?¡± Melena snapped, frustrated. ¡°The gate¡¯s locked. Are you sure that he¡¯s in there?¡±

    ¡°I can show m¡¯lady proof, if m¡¯lady would prefer.¡±

    ¡°Show me?¡± Melena repeated, confused.

    ¡°Quite. Now that I¡¯m closer to young Toad or ¡­ should I refer to Master as Milo?¡±

    ¡°Call him what you want! I don¡¯t care!¡±

    ¡°Ah, well then. Now that I am closer it is much easier.¡± Joe¡¯s eyes spun so fast they were a blur of color and suddenly he was full to the brim with water. Melena was so startled that she nearly dropped him again.

    ¡°You will see him now,¡± said Joe.

    Melena cautiously peered down into the mug. The water rippled slightly and a vivid image appeared. She was looking down from high above, like a fly on a ceiling, onto a lavishly decorated room. Toad was in a leather chair, looking every bit like a man cornered. Two people stood next to him, one as massive as an ogre.

    ¡°I thought I¡¯d taught you about breaking into my home, Mr. Toad.¡±

    A third man had spoken from behind a desk. He rose, but from her angle she could only see his smoothly brushed hair and neat suit. It was quite obvious to Melena, though she had never met him, that this man was Mr. Owl.

    Toad stayed silent.

    ¡°The manner in which you slipped into my home just now has me wondering if your visit has malintentions,¡± Owl continued. ¡°I take it that you are not here to deliver my ingredients?¡±

    Toad¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I ¡ª¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°I don¡¯t have ¡¯em.¡±

    ¡°Why ever not, Mr. Toad? I was under the impression from Cutter that you were doing shockingly well.¡±

    The ogre on Toad¡¯s right gave a derisive snort.

    It was obvious that Toad was doing a great deal of very quick thinking; his eyes darted from man to man before fixing on Owl.

    ¡°I got all of ¡¯em, every last one, but my partner ¡­ she split. Took ¡¯em and left. I was hoping that maybe,¡± and Toad¡¯s eyes flickered around the room again, ¡°that she might have already stopped by.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Owl softly. ¡°No one has come to me regarding potion ingredients other than you. It seems,¡± he said, voice growing softer still, ¡°that you¡¯ve been duped, Mr. Toad.¡±

    Toad opened his mouth but Owl continued, seeming to grow more threatening the gentler his voice became. ¡°Are you telling me, Mr. Toad, that you allowed my ingredients to be lifted from your person? Was I not grotesquely clear what would happen if you did not come through?¡±

    There was no blood left in Toad¡¯s face.

    ¡°Mr. Ogg, was I not quite clear to Mr. Toad?¡± Owl asked and the enormous man grunted in agreement.

    ¡°There isn¡¯t a guard outside,¡± said Ogg. ¡°I can take care of him now.¡±

    ¡°What? No!¡± Toad tried to stand but Ogg grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him back into the chair while the man on his other side snarled, ¡°Stay put!¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t steal ¡¯em! We just got separated on the road, that¡¯s all,¡± Toad insisted. ¡°Let me go and wave her down ¡ª I¡¯m sure she¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°Fletch.¡± Owl ignored Toad, addressing the other man who was as slim as Ogg was massive. ¡°The girl¡¯s name is Melena Snead, according to Cutter. Waist length blond hair, typically tied in a braid. Blue eyes, owns a green Spit-Fire. I expect Cutter to be bringing her along, but in case she too managed to wriggle free, I want you to keep your eyes out for her. And make sure that she¡¯s dealt with properly.¡±

    ¡°NO!¡± Toad lunged forward, causing Ogg to restrain him again. ¡°Leave her alone!¡±

    ¡°Right o, sir,¡± said Fletch. He strode out of the room.

    ¡°All you want are the ingredients!¡± Toad shouted, struggling against Ogg. ¡°Leave her alone!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Ogg, if you¡¯d be so kind as to remove Mr. Toad from my presence,¡± said Owl, settling back down behind his desk. ¡°Put him somewhere out of the way. We¡¯ll deal with him tonight.¡±

    Toad squirmed like a worm on a hook, but in Ogg¡¯s thick hold, he could do nothing.

    ¡°You said I had ¡¯til February!¡± Toad raged.

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Toad you so amuse me ¡ª I will be rather sad to see you go. That was nothing but more coal for the fire. I couldn¡¯t have you growing lax, could I? You are of no further use.¡±

    Toad snarled; he tried to kick Ogg in the shins, but Ogg merely pressed his bulging forearm against Toad¡¯s throat, making his words now strangled. ¡°We had a deal, Owl!¡±

    ¡°A deal? We never had a deal, Mr. Toad. I don¡¯t make deals with thieves. I use thieves and when I¡¯m done with them, I dispose of them like the rags they are. I¡¯m surprised Jack never told you that.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Melena watched in horror as Ogg dragged Toad from the room, Toad still kicking, still struggling, growing redder in the face from the suffocating pressure of Ogg¡¯s arm across his throat. Melena¡¯s hands shook so badly that the picture rippled and disappeared. Joe blinked his marble eyes and the water vanished completely.

    Melena felt terror like a physical weight. She spun around, staring at the house through the gate¡¯s bars where somewhere Toad was being strangled ¡ª

    ¡°M¡¯lady, we must leave this area at once.¡±

    ¡°No! Toad¡¯s in there! We can¡¯t leave him!¡±

    Melena grabbed the bars and yanked, making them rattle like chains. There had to be a way in.

    ¡°The man named Fletch is on his way to find you!¡± Joe shouted. ¡°You must not let that happen, m¡¯lady!¡±

    Joe was right. She couldn¡¯t sit out here and get caught. She¡¯d be no use to Toad if she were dragged inside with an empty knapsack. Sick with dread, praying that Owl wouldn¡¯t kill Toad until he¡¯d caught her, she returned Joe to her bag and scurried from the gate, leaving Bower Street and turning onto another and another and another at random, shooting terrified glances over her shoulder in case she noticed someone following her, choosing to walk on the most crowded streets. Knowing Fletch would be looking for a green Spit-Fire, Melena urged Hazel to hide inside the bag, too.

    What was she going to do? Her brain could have been replaced with panicked bees for all the help it was giving her. How was she going to get Toad out of that house safely before nightfall? She needed a plan. She needed to think.

    Melena stopped and blocked out the street with her hands, fingertips digging into her scalp.

    ¡°Hey ¡ª Outta the way, if you ain¡¯t gonna buy somethin¡¯.¡±

    Melena¡¯s hands fell. She turned.

    A scruffy man was flapping at her to move away from his rickety stand. On it were different-sized bottles, lined up in neat little rows.

    ¡°You¡¯re blockin¡¯ the customers,¡± he said.

    Melena stared at him. He glared at her in turn.

    ¡°Get goi ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Are you a Rambler?¡±

    The man jerked. His eyes darted about the street, as if expecting someone to jump him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talkin¡¯ about,¡± he began evasively, but Melena cut him off.

    ¡°You¡¯re a thief, aren¡¯t you? Those are stolen potions, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    The man muttered something inaudible, shifting slightly, still glancing about the street, but no one was paying them any mind.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care whether they are or not,¡± said Melena, stepping closer. ¡°I just want to know where the Ramblers are. You¡¯re a thief, you must have heard of them. Where¡¯s their hideout?¡±

    When the man remained mute, Melena grew desperate. ¡°It¡¯s important! I¡¯ll ¡ª I¡¯ll give you this!¡± She dug inside her bag, fingers groping around Hazel and Joe for the little bottle of Mirg water.

    She held it out to the man. His eyes narrowed.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked, suspiciously, fingering the bottle.

    ¡°Mirg water, from the springs.¡±

    The man did a double take.

    ¡°You know about the Springs of Mirg, then?¡± she said, heart thumping.

    ¡°You¡¯re lyin¡¯,¡± said the man, but he didn¡¯t release his hold of the bottle. Melena knew that he could feel the magical warmth pulsing against his gloveless hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± said Melena earnestly. ¡°And it¡¯s all yours. It¡¯s priceless; it¡¯ll fetch as many gorents as you want. Just tell me where the Ramblers are.¡±

    The man, still with that dubious air, pulled the stopper free and peered inside the bottle with one eye. He tilted it enough to let a drop fall on his finger. ¡°Mother of ¡ª ¡± But again he grew suspicious. ¡°Why¡¯s you givin¡¯ me this? Eh? Why¡¯s you givin¡¯ me somethin¡¯ so fine?¡±

    Melena wanted to rip her hair out. ¡°Because I must find the Ramblers!¡±

    ¡°But why ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Please just tell me!¡±

    ¡°Run down ballroom on 4<sup>th</sup> an¡¯ Kent, South Hickory. But you didn¡¯t hear it from me.¡±

    Melena started to run, when the man called her back.

    ¡°Here!¡± He tossed her two small boxes. ¡°Two in one special. Go have you some laughs.¡±

    Melena only spared a moment of surprise before stuffing the boxes of Sneezing Snuff inside her bag and speeding off.

    <hr>

    The ballroom on 4<sup>th</sup> and Kent was crumbling before Melena¡¯s eyes. The roof sagged, the sooty brick walls were covered in graffiti, and the half dozen windows that weren¡¯t boarded up were smashed.

    The trip over had nearly ended before it had begun. An extremely thin man grew uncomfortably interested in her as she waited to cross the street and after a breathless, heart pounding spell, she managed to lose him in a mass of school age children, noisily following their matron.

    Or at least, she hoped she had.

    Now, standing in a derelict and quiet corner of Hickory, Melena felt horribly exposed. This would be the perfect place for Fletch to jump her. She doubted anyone in the shabby line of apartments behind her would raise a note of alarm. So with an eye on the street corner she quickly crossed the road, stepped up to the paint-peeling door and knocked.

    ¡°Hello?¡± she asked through the door. ¡°Er ¡ª hello? I¡¯m looking for the Ramblers?¡± Then as an afterthought, ¡°Toad sent me.¡±

    A narrow bit of wood in the door slid away and a pair of doleful eyes peered down at her through a peephole.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± asked the man.

    ¡°Melena Snead. I need to see the Ramblers.¡±

    ¡°You a thief?¡± asked the voice, suspiciously, a behavior Melena was growing quickly ill-tempered with. Why must all thieves ask twenty questions?

    ¡°No,¡± said Melena, ¡°but I know Toad. He¡¯s in¡ª¡±

    ¡°Toad ain¡¯t a Rambler no more,¡± was the voice¡¯s curt reply. ¡°He knows the rules. He¡¯s got no place tellin¡¯ people ¡¯bout our hideout.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s in trouble,¡± said Melena. ¡°He¡¯s in danger!¡±

    ¡°Nuthin¡¯ new there,¡± sighed the voice.

    ¡°Please, I need your help!¡±

    It was clear that the thief on the other side of the door didn¡¯t like turning her away.

    ¡°Look ¡­ I ain¡¯t allowed to let non-thieves in, strictly speakin¡¯ ¡­ Rambler rules. I¡¯m sure Toad¡¯s fine.¡± But he sounded skeptical.

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand!¡± Melena cried. ¡°He¡¯s going to be killed.¡±

    ¡°Risk of the trade,¡± said the thief, unhelpful.

    ¡°But ¡ª ¡± Melena was flabbergasted. Hadn¡¯t Toad said the Ramblers were like family? How could they just turn away, knowing he was in trouble!

    ¡°Tell him hello for me, won¡¯t you?¡± said the man.

    The peephole began to close and Melena saw her only hope of saving Toad slipping out of her hands. Then, in a sudden burst of inspiration, she shouted wildly while digging inside her bag, ¡°WAIT! I am a thief! I¡¯m the greatest thief of them all! Look ¡ª I¡¯m the Thief Lord!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The man¡¯s hang-dog eyes popped as they fell upon Joe. The thief was frozen in place. It wasn¡¯t until Hazel scurried up and out of the bag and snapped at the man¡¯s eyes that he jerked into action. The eyes disappeared and there was a loud clanking and the door swung open.

    Melena hurried inside, stowing Joe back out of sight. A scrawny man in a bright purple vest, top hat, and trousers four inches too short stood before her.

    ¡°Was that ¡­. was that really ¡­?¡± The man was breathless, pointing at Melena¡¯s knapsack with a trembling hand.

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Melena shortly, keeping a firm grip on her bag. She had a feeling that she shouldn¡¯t parade Joe about more than necessary. ¡°I need to see Jack.¡±

    ¡°¡¯Course!¡± The man tipped his hat in an excited, fluttery fashion. ¡°This way!¡±

    They hurried up a broad, carpet-lined stairway, sparsely lit with spitting oil lamps. As they stepped onto the first floor landing, Melena stopped in her tracks.

    Before her was a sweeping ballroom that, in its prime, must have been a sight of gleaming gold and rich maple. But those days were long gone and now only a sad room with rusty chandeliers and grime-coated mirrors was left. The thieves had sprung up makeshift tents by hanging various drapes and sheets from hooks and wires twisted into the ceiling, all different colors and patterns. Above the arch-like entrance of the ballroom, a banner hung. In a script with many flourishes were the words:

    THE MISCHIEVOUS HOUSE OF RAMBLE

    Welcome Fellow Thief, Crook, Pickpocket, and Swindler

    ¡°This way,¡± said her guide.

    So this was how her brother had grown up. She followed him through the maze of makeshift tents. There was a buzz about the place that put Melena in mind of a circus.

    ¡°WILSON!¡±

    The roar made both Melena and her guide jump. In the blink of an eye, with a clatter of overturned chairs and scrambling feet, she and her guide were surrounded by the entire gang of Ramblers. The lazy, carefree atmosphere vanished in an instant.

    Melena felt herself shrink. Hazel, perched on Melena¡¯s shoulder, flashed her fangs. Melena hugged her bag close as the Ramblers crowded them. As a bald, muscled man covered in tattoos stepped to the front of the throng of thieves, Melena¡¯s guide¡¯s top hat nearly tumbled off as he gave a nervous twitch.

    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± the frightful man barked, glaring at Melena. ¡°Have yeh lost the last of yer marbles, Wilson? Yeh know the rules!¡±

    ¡°N-n-now hear me out¡ª¡± Wilson began, twisting his thin hands together. ¡°I gotta good reason¡ª¡±

    ¡°Reason!¡± the man bellowed, making Wilson flinch so badly his top hat did fall off. ¡°Rambler Rule Number 1: Thieves Only. Is that a thief?¡± He jabbed a thick finger at Melena.

    ¡°But Bone¡ª¡±

    ¡°We just moved in to this moldy bin!¡± Bone yelled over Wilson¡¯s stammer. ¡°Took weeks! The gents won¡¯t be happy to pack up so soon.¡±

    In response, the circle of thieves grumbled darkly.

    ¡°What¡¯s all the commotion?¡± said a new voice. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    A tall man with a flaming red ponytail appeared, a look of mild interest on his face.

    ¡°Jack!¡± Bone exclaimed. ¡°Wilson¡¯s let in an impostor!¡±

    ¡°I am not an impostor!¡± said Melena.

    ¡°She knows our hideout!¡±  Bone roared. ¡°She¡¯s probably a spy sent by Dowell!¡±

    At this the thieves surged around them, making a cacophony of noise.

    Jack put two fingers in his mouth and whistled shrilly.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said to the sudden silence. ¡°Has anyone asked the unknown individual for her credentials?¡±

    Bone scoffed loudly. Wilson scuttled around Bone to hover at Jack¡¯s elbow.

    ¡°Credentials?¡± asked Melena, nervously. ¡°What do you mean credentials?¡±

    ¡°I mean, what thieves do you know? Who can recommend your prowess?¡± asked Jack. ¡°What schemes have you partaken in? I need proof, little elf. Otherwise we would merely be taking your word for it and¡± ¡ª he chuckled ¡ª ¡°thieves never do that.¡±

    Wilson was mouthing feverishly beside Jack, his baggy eyes fixed upon the knapsack clamped in Melena¡¯s arms, but Jack wasn¡¯t paying him the slightest attention.

    Melena didn¡¯t want to reveal Joe. She was terrified that the Ramblers would pounce the moment that his spinning eyes greeted them. But Toad needed them. Melena couldn¡¯t save him on her own. She didn¡¯t have much time. Dusk was settling outside the boarded-up windows.

    Melena made up her mind. Her face set, she dug into her bag and pulled out Joe.

    ¡°Drafty this place,¡± Joe observed.

    There was a moment of complete silence and then the thieves exploded. They shouted so loudly that Melena was sure someone from the street below would hear them.

    Melena clutched Joe tight to her chest and Hazel snarled on her shoulders, sparks flying, but not a single thief tried to approach Melena. It threw her for a loop, but she was protected by, as Captain Horace had put it, the Law of Joe.

    It took time, but Jack finally managed to quiet the crowd.

    ¡°SHUT IT, GENTS!¡± he bellowed. ¡°Is this any way to behave in front of our Thief Lord?¡± He scowled at the lot of them. ¡°She must think you have fine manners.¡±

    In the quiet, Jack spun around elegantly to face her, the long tails of his coat swirling. He grinned at Melena, arms spread wide.

    ¡°My dear elf.¡± He made a fancy bow with much twirling of hands, ¡°may I introduce myself? Jack Pinch and the Ramblers, at your service. What brings you to our modest dwelling?¡±

    ¡°Toad¡¯s in trouble,¡± said Melena at once. ¡°He¡¯s being held prisoner by a man named Mr. Owl. He¡¯s here in the cit¡ª¡±

    While Melena spoke, Jack¡¯s face had taken on a polite, mildly interested expression, but the moment Owl¡¯s name was mentioned he gave an involuntary twitch.

    ¡°Owl, you say? Terribly sorry ¡ª so, so very sorry  ¡ª but we have a ¡­ delicate relationship with Owl and to interfere with his business would be¡± ¡ª Jack searched for a word ¡ª ¡°unpleasant.¡±

    ¡°But Toad needs your help. Owl¡¯s going to kill him. Tonight. We have to help him tonight.¡±

    ¡°As to that,¡± said Jack, twisting a thick gold ring around his finger, ¡°I am no longer responsible for Toad¡¯s antics.¡±

    ¡°Toad told me the Ramblers were family,¡± Melena said hotly.

    ¡°I do pride myself on our inner house unity, but Toad is not a Rambler.¡±

    From the depths of the crowd someone muttered, ¡°Thank God.¡±

    Melena glared.

    ¡°I¡¯m the Thief Lord,¡± she said darkly.

    ¡°And we are so pleased you have taken the time from ¡­ whatever it was you were doing to pay us a visit. Can I offer you a crumpet?¡±

    ¡°Which means you have to do everything I say,¡± Melena continued. ¡°Correct?¡±

    Jack hesitated, his jaunty smile faltering. ¡°In a manner of speaking¡­¡±

    ¡°Then I say that you wouldn¡¯t like it if I told every thief organization to part ways with you. Being cut off from the black market or underground network wouldn¡¯t be very good for business, I expect. Or,¡± Melena continued acidly as Jack¡¯s eye¡¯s widened, ¡°what if I simply disband the Mischievous House of Ramble and order you to find jobs like common, honest men? Would you rather I did that, Mr. Jack?¡±

    The silence that fell upon this speech was unlike any other. Jack seemed paralyzed. Looks of shock were plastered on each scruffy face.

    ¡°Wilson,¡± said Jack, jerkily. ¡°Map.¡±

    Wilson turned his hang-dog eyes to Jack. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Map! Wilson! Map!¡±

    Wilson gave a start and hurried away, diving into a nearby tent, decorated with purple windmills. The rest of the thieves remained immobile, their eyes fixed upon Melena with the same level of trepidation of one facing a tiger. Wilson reemerged, shuffling through the crowd back to Jack. In his hands was a tightly rolled scroll.

    Jack took it and marched to a wall where crates were stacked in the form of a large tabletop. Melena followed. The thieves circled around them once more, still unnaturally silent. Jack unrolled the paper and laid it flat upon the crates, pinning its edges down with weights. It was the interior of a large house with rooms and floors labeled.

    ¡°I thought you said that you have a ¡®delicate¡¯ arrangement with Owl,¡± said Melena, startled to find such an intricate blueprint of the man¡¯s house. ¡°Does he know that you spy on him?¡±

    Jack¡¯s lips pursed in aggravation. ¡°Be grateful that I have it,¡± he said tersely.

    Melena ignored his foul mood, growing excited.

    ¡°So you know a way of getting into the house undetected?¡±

    Jack cut her a glare. ¡°Detecting the undetected is what Owl does. You said we need to get Toad out tonight?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Bone, Lynch, get some more candles! We¡¯re gonna need to think about this. Elf ¡ª¡±

    ¡°My name is Melena,¡± said Melena curtly.

    The smile on Jack¡¯s face looked painful. ¡°If you¡¯ll step closer, we can discuss a plan.¡±

    Tired of holding Joe, as he was currently nibbling her fingers, she put him on the crate beside the map. At once Jack¡¯s eyes brightened and the group surrounding them took in an audible breath, but Hazel slipped off Melena¡¯s shoulders and curled around the mug protectively, her own eyes glittering dangerously.

    ¡°If anyone gets close, Hazel,¡± said Melena loudly, ¡°give them a good burn.¡±

 Chapter 23: To Save a Thief

    Toad groaned as he came to. It took a moment to understand why he was sitting on the floor and why his arms were tied to the leg of a table. The goose-egg sized lump on his head from where Ogg had hit him pulsed. He gritted his teeth against the pain and tugged his arms, but the knots didn¡¯t give. He craned his neck, trying to see if he was alone ¡ª if in fact Ogg was preparing to ¡®take care of him¡¯ ¡ª but the room was dark and quiet, lamps extinguished. Toad strained his ears. Under different circumstances he¡¯d say he was the only person in the whole house, but he knew better. Somewhere in a room ¡ª  perhaps directly below him ¡ª sat Owl, waiting for Fletch to bring him the ingredients.

    If Melena was hurt ¡­ if she were killed ¡­

    Again Toad tried to twist his wrists free, but it was no good. He slumped against the table leg, sick with dread, watching the darkness falling outside the room¡¯s windows, ticking his life away. He couldn¡¯t escape this. He would be dead in hours, moments even, and there was no way to warn Melena of the danger she was in. Why hadn¡¯t he told her from the very beginning? Why had he been such a bungling idiot?

    Voices rumbled somewhere through the floorboards and Toad¡¯s heart clenched.

    As he sat trembling in the dark, waiting for the door to swing open ¡ª would it be Ogg? Cutter? Owl himself? ¡ª  Toad thought of Melena and her lost brother. If she somehow miraculously managed to dodge Owl, would she find her brother on her own? What had his name been?

    The voices grew louder. More distinct.

    Morgan?

    The softest of vibrations traveled through the floor, as if someone was running.

    Miles?

    There was the dull sound of a crash and a few odd plunks of a piano.

    Milo, thought Toad with satisfaction. That was it. Milo. How could he have forgotten?

    A voice shouted very close by, taking Toad by surprise. A second later the door was flung open and he tensed. Light spilled into the room, but Toad couldn¡¯t see who stood in the doorway for the table blocked his view.

    ¡°Toad!¡±

    Toad was so startled that he was rendered speechless.

    ¡°Toad!¡± Melena shouted again, voice cracking in desperation. ¡°I don¡¯t see him ¡ª oh, Joe, you said he wasn¡¯t dead!¡±

    ¡°Quite,¡± said Joe. His voice was muffled and an image of Joe in the depths of Melena¡¯s knapsack sprang into Toad¡¯s mind.

    ¡°Then where is he?¡± Melena cried in panic and frustration.

    ¡°Hey ¡ª hey! Over here!¡± Toad yelled. There was a gasp, a frantic pattering of feet and Toad was suddenly encased in a rib-cracking hug while Hazel circled over their heads, yowling with delight and Joe cried from within the knapsack, ¡°Greetings, Master Toad!¡±

    ¡°Are you all right?¡± Melena demanded, holding him at arm¡¯s length. ¡°They didn¡¯t hurt you?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Toad, breathless. He was overwhelmed by the sight of her. ¡°Melena, what are you doing here? You can¡¯t be here ¡ª Owl ¡ª¡±

    ¡°I know all about Owl,¡± said Melena, her face growing uncharacteristically dark. ¡°I ran into Cutter ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Cutter?¡± Toad gasped. Then, like she had done him, his eyes searched her for injuries. ¡°And you¡¯re all right?¡±

    ¡°Yes ¡ª¡±

    ¡°How did you ¡ª¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have time,¡± Melena interrupted. ¡°I¡¯ll explain everything, but we¡¯ve got to get you out of here.¡±  She pulled out a knife that Toad had never seen with her before. She began to saw at his bindings.

    Toad¡¯s mind was a flurry of confusion. ¡°But how¡¯d you get in here?¡± How had Owl not noticed her?

    ¡°The Ramblers have a map of the house.¡±

    ¡°The ¡ª what?¡±

    ¡°The Ramblers. They¡¯re downstairs distracting Owl¡¯s men.¡±

    With another frantic jerk of her knife, Toad was free. He was winded. He was stunned. The Ramblers were here? Here? To help him? And Melena had enlisted them? Melena, who he¡¯d thought had double-crossed him?

    ¡°Melena ¡ª I¡¯ve got to tell you something.¡±

    ¡°You can tell me everything when we get out of here.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Toad insisted. ¡°I lied to you. I told you Owl¡¯d hired me, but it was all a sham. There was never gonna be any money and I should have told you from the start. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Melena stared at him for half a heartbeat, her expression oddly unreadable, before he was pulled again into a tight hug.

    ¡°I know, Toad.¡±

    ¡°You know? You mean you really did hear me say ¡­ Melena, I didn¡¯t mean any of it!¡±

    ¡°I know, Toad! I know!¡± Melena squeezed him more fiercely. ¡°I forgive you.¡±

    ¡°You ¡ª¡± Toad blinked in surprise and pulled back to scrutinize her. ¡°But I led you on. I fooled you into spending all your money for nothing. I let you risk your life for a lie.¡±

    ¡°That was a bit rotten,¡± she admitted with a wry smile, ¡°but it¡¯s okay now.¡±

    ¡°Okay?¡± Toad was growing more perplexed and alarmed by the second. Melena wasn¡¯t the sort of person who just let things go. What he¡¯d done to her was more than rotten. But before he could question her further, another great clang down below made them jump, both having forgotten that they should be fleeing.

    Hazel swooped overhead as Melena grabbed Toad by the arm and pulled him to the door.

    ¡°Quick, Toad!¡±

    They ran out of the room and down a long hall carpeted in velvet, Hazel leading the way. All around them, the sounds of utter destruction raged, as if a menagerie of beasts had been let loose. They passed rooms, their doors flung wide. Toad spied Rambler after Rambler shattering crystal chandeliers with brooms, knocking over great chifferrobes of delicate china, throwing heavy portraits out of windows. There were enough echoing smashes that Toad had the wild idea that a Rambler was in nearly every room of Owl¡¯s prestigious home, tearing it to pieces. Toad wanted to crow in delight.

    They skidded to a halt as the hall split into three different directions, each leading to a separate part of the house.

    ¡°Which way?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°I ¡ª I,¡± Melena looked scattered, her hair falling out of its braid. ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡±

    A great clamor made them turn.

    Jack, Bone, and Wilson were speeding toward them.

    ¡°CLEAR OUT, GENTS! CLEAR OUT!¡± Jack roared. From another hallway, Toad heard Lynch¡¯s voice echoing the order.

    A balloon of delight swelled in Toad¡¯s chest at the sight of Jack. He opened his mouth, but before he could utter a sound, Jack had flown past him without a glance, his coat tails flapping.

    Melena yanked at his arm. ¡°Toad ¡ª hurry!¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°STOP!¡±

    It was made clear why Jack, Bone and Wilson had been running so fast: Ogg was right behind them. His furious eyes landed on Toad and Melena; he raised a balled fist, ready to pummel them.

    Hazel flamed, but missed.

    ¡°RUN!¡±

    Toad and Melena turned tail and chased after Jack and the others, down the hallway, Ogg right behind them, but they hadn¡¯t gone ten feet when they collided into Jack, Wilson, and Bone. Owl stood before them, blocking their progress, a pistol pointed at Jack¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Good evening, Jack,¡± Owl greeted, smiling in a fashion that sent goosebumps up Toad¡¯s arms. ¡°What a unexpected pleasure. Be a chum, Mr. Ogg and tie them up.¡±

    <hr>

    Toad once again found himself in the dining room, this time bound to a chair instead of the table¡¯s leg, joined with Melena, Jack, Wilson, and Bone. Hazel was locked in a bird cage.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised, Jack,¡± said Owl, casually leaning against the wall, his pistol held loosely in one hand. ¡°I always thought you were a coward, not a fool.¡±

    ¡°I was forced,¡± Jack bit out.

    ¡°Forced? Forced to break into my house? Forced to batter and rampage?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Jack replied firmly. ¡°And please do take it out on the elf.¡±

    ¡°Would that be you?¡± Owl asked, turning to Melena.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got your ingredients!¡± said Toad, trying to keep Owl focused on him. ¡°They¡¯re all in that bag on the floor. You got what you wanted. We can just walk away.¡±

    Owl did look at Toad then.

    ¡°Walk away?¡± he repeated as if Toad were a simpleton. ¡°After your partner enlisted a troop of elephants to aid in your escape?¡±

    ¡°How far do you think that noise carried?¡± Toad pressed. ¡°How many guards are heading this way right now? You don¡¯t have time to finish us all off and hide the evidence before Dowell and the lot are banging on your door ¡ª¡±

    In one swift movement, Owl pointed the revolver at Toad. He no longer looked handsome and smooth or flippantly carefree. Owl¡¯s stance was rigid, his lips pressed into a downward snarl. But the sight of the gun only fueled Toad¡¯s determination.

    ¡°You know I¡¯m right. Take your goods and let us go.¡±

    Slowly, Owl lowered the gun. Never shifting his eyes off Toad, he held out his hand and Ogg lifted the weather-worn knapsack from the floor. Beside him, Melena twitched. Toad shot her a reassuring look. This is gonna work, he wanted to say. Don¡¯t worry.

    But Melena looked terrified as Owl, with a repulsed expression, groped inside the satchel. Owl stilled, his frown deepening, before pulling out not a flask of Mirg water or the elfin gold moss or the roc talon or strand of unicorn hair, but Joe.

    ¡°Well,¡± said Owl dully, ¡°one of the pieces to the potion has come to me.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡± said Toad. ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the ingredients?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in here but knickknacks and a book.¡± Owl turned the bag over and Melena¡¯s potion book fell to the floor with a thud along with two small, colorful boxes. Beside Toad Melena was quivering.

    Toad couldn¡¯t understand it. He stared at the odd collection of items on the floor. The ingredients. Where were the ingredients?

    ¡°At least you brought me the Vessel,¡± said Owl, giving Joe a little toss. ¡°But where, Mr. Toad are my ingredients? Or should I be asking the elf that?¡±

    All eyes were on Melena who seemed to shrink into her chair.

    ¡°Melena,¡± said Toad in an undertone, ¡°where are they?¡±

    ¡°I hid them!¡± she said, quivering from head to foot. ¡°I hid the ingredients! I hid them in Bell¡¯s Brews!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Toad sputtered.

    ¡°And why would you do that?¡± asked Owl, crossing his arms, one finger in the crook of Joe¡¯s handle.

    ¡°Because I knew how important the ingredients are ¡ª how rare they are, and I didn¡¯t want them to get stolen, s-so I hid them in Mr. Bell¡¯s shop and I ¡ª¡± Melena bit her lip.

    ¡°Don¡¯t become shy now,¡± Owl said icily.

    ¡°Toad told me you were going to pay him fifty thousand gorents if we brought you the ingredients. I ¡­ I want to make sure you¡¯re going to hold up your end of the bargain before handing them over.¡±

    Toad felt as if the air had been sucked from the room. He stared at Melena, baffled and growing more frightened by the second. She knew there wasn¡¯t any money. What was she doing?

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Owl¡¯s eyes glittered. Swiftly, he tucked Joe away inside his coat. ¡°I haven¡¯t given you enough credit, Miss Elf. I will be more than happy to pay my share; you will find me to be a very ¡­ honorable businessman. Once the ingredients are safely in my possession, you will have your reward. Mr. Ogg, keep guard outside the door. I¡¯m not finished with Jack.¡±

    ¡°What about Dowell, sir?¡±

    ¡°Put a man at the front. Distract him. Tell him anything. Under no circumstances is he to enter the house. I¡¯ll be back soon. Miss Elf, we have a shop to visit.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Toad shouted as Ogg ripped away the ropes tying Melena to her chair and Hazel screeched in her cage. ¡°Leave her alone!¡±

    Her eyes huge, Melena was marched from the room with Owl and Ogg. The door closed with a snap.

    ¡°Melena! MELENA!¡±

    ¡°Shut it!¡± Bone spat.

    Toad struggled with the ropes binding him and he fell over ¡ª chair and all ¡ª with a heavy thud.

    ¡°Ain¡¯t this pleasant.¡±

    ¡°MELENA!¡±

    ¡°Bone ¡ª¡± said Jack in warning.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we do this more often, eh?¡± Bone continued nastily. ¡°Locked up and waitin¡¯ fer a giant to snap my neck. We should do this every day.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not helping,¡± said Jack, giving his binds an exploratory tug.

    ¡°And it¡¯s all thanks to you!¡± Bone exploded, glaring at Toad.

    ¡°Me?¡± said Toad from the floor, still trying to wriggle out of the chair. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been such a pig head ¡ª¡±

    ¡°YEH LITTLE ¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ª and gotten me chunked out ¡ª¡±

    ¡°YEH GOT YERSELF CHUNKED OUT!¡±

    ¡°¡ª I never would have gone to Owl in the first place!¡±

    ¡°When I get my hands free, I¡¯m gonna ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Gents, for the last time, SHUT IT!¡± Jack roared. ¡°I doubt we¡¯ve got much time left before Ogg returns, so ideas?¡±

    Silence.

    ¡°Wonderful. I¡¯m stranded with the least creative Ramblers.¡±

    ¡°What about the others?¡± asked Toad. ¡°I saw them trashing the place.¡±

    ¡°Done a runner,¡± said Wilson, ¡°when Jack gave the order.¡±

    ¡°The one thing thieves do best,¡± Jack sighed. ¡°Flee the scene.¡±

    Wilson peered about the dining room. ¡°There might be a knife left from dinner.¡±

    ¡°And how are we supposed to grab a knife with our hands tied behind our backs?¡± Bone asked scathingly.

    ¡°At least it was an idea! I ain¡¯t hearin¡¯ many from you!¡± Wilson snapped back.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that rodent on the floor caused all of this,¡± Bone stormed. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say he¡¯d bring us nuthin¡¯ but trouble? Didn¡¯t I say yeh gotta be careful with Snatchers? Never know what yer gettin¡¯!¡±

    Toad stopped struggling. He stared up at Bone, who appeared even larger than usual from his viewpoint on the floor.

    ¡°It was a perfectly sound transaction. Billy has a solid reputation. He always gets the best,¡± said Jack stubbornly. ¡°Look at Igor. Bates. Floe.¡±

    Bone shook his head. ¡°They came from good stock. This cockroach coulda come from Hickory knows where! And from the looks of this mess, probably from a pair of clumsy, tea drinkin¡¯, book readin¡¯, uptight good fer nuthins!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± said Toad. ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡±

    ¡°And I refuse to let that mangy pup be my downfall,¡± Bone growled, giving his bonds a violent jerk.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Toad repeated, voice rising. ¡°What¡¯re you saying Snatcher for? My dad¡¯s a pirate¡ª¡±

    Bone let out a vicious laugh. ¡°Pirate?¡± he jeered. ¡°Pirate? Yeh ain¡¯t got no father, boy! Wilson made that up when yeh started askin¡¯ questions. Thought it¡¯d be nicer than sayin¡¯ yeh was an orphan. I never understood why Wilson had a soft spot fer yeh.¡±

    Toad¡¯s eyes jerked to Wilson who drooped his head and wouldn¡¯t meet Toad¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Lynch was the one who added Captain Shark-Tooth. Thought it sounded fun. The mates had a good time pullin¡¯ yeh on. Yeh was the stupid one fer believin¡¯ it.¡±

    Toad felt like he¡¯d been punched in the gut. He was an orphan? He¡¯d been Snatched? All along? All this time?

    ¡°When?¡± he demanded. ¡°When was I Snatched?¡±

    ¡°Like it matters now,¡± said Bone with nasty indifference.

    ¡°Did I come from Hickory?¡± Toad shouted, twisting to see Jack and Wilson better. ¡°Do you know what quadrant? What street?¡±

    ¡°Miggens Street,¡± said Wilson, his hang-dog eyes finally meeting Toad¡¯s. ¡°There was a fire. I remember Billy sayin¡¯ it was his easiest snatch in years: little kid, toddlin¡¯ on the street, everyone distracted ¡­¡±

    Toad didn¡¯t breathe as he searched Wilson¡¯s eyes for a lie, but Toad knew the gangly thief wasn¡¯t lying. There was a terrible ache right in the center of Toad¡¯s chest. A sudden rap on the window made Bone, Jack, and Wilson turn, and Toad realized that his cheeks were wet.

    ¡°Lynch!¡± Jack cried in delight as Lynch¡¯s lanky frame unfolded from the window. ¡°Fine fellow! What took you so long?¡±

    ¡°You know how many windows are in this joint?¡± Lynch grumbled, pulling a short knife from his pocket and cutting at Jack¡¯s ropes. ¡°More than any bleedin¡¯ house should ever have. Took me ages to check ¡¯em all.¡±

    ¡°Much better,¡± said Jack, rising to his feet and rubbing his wrists while Lynch hurried to Bone and Wilson. ¡°We must sound the alarm. Owl will be unbearable after this.¡±

    ¡°Where do we go? The tombs?¡±

    Jack shivered. ¡°Rather not. No, gents. I think it¡¯s time we set our sights abroad.¡± And with that, Jack hoisted himself onto the window sill and lowered himself onto the adjacent tree branch. Bone followed.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Toad cried from the floor, still tied to his chair. ¡°What about me?¡±

    ¡°What about you?¡± Bone snarled before disappearing down the tree.

    ¡°Lynch! Wilson!¡±

    Wilson paused and looked gloomily at Lynch.

    ¡°Hang ya all!¡± Lynch cursed, pulling his knife back out and cutting Toad free. By the time Toad had risen to his feet, Lynch and Wilson had vanished.

    For a moment, Toad stood still, staring out the dark window.

    Hazel gave a loud snarl.

    ¡°Sorry, Hazel!¡± Toad ran to the bird cage, but before he¡¯d reached it, the dining room door flew open. Ogg¡¯s eyes swept the room, taking in the empty chairs, the cut ropes, the open window, before narrowing on Toad.

    He advanced, his great feet making the very floor shake and the decanters in a cabinet rattle. Toad stumbled backward, voiceless in terror. Hazel snarled and flapped in her cage.

    Toad retreated. Ogg cracked his knuckles. Toad¡¯s back hit the wall and his foot stepped on something. He looked down and saw the boxes that had fallen from Melena¡¯s bag.

    Knowing it wouldn¡¯t do any good, but unwilling to go down without a fight, Toad snatched up a box and threw it with all his might at Ogg¡¯s face. It exploded in a glittering cloud of dust. Ogg stumbled to a stop. He hesitated. And then let out an enormous sneeze.

    And another. And another. He couldn¡¯t stop. He didn¡¯t seem to be able to see. He waved his arms blindly, every other breath exploding in an ear-shattering sneeze.

    Stunned, Toad scooted around Ogg and opened Hazel¡¯s cage. Without another glance, they fled the room. Toad snapped the door shut and dragged a heavy chair under the doorknob.

    ¡°Do you know where he took her?¡± Toad asked Hazel. ¡°Can you smell her? Can you hear her?¡±

    Hazel turned in midair and sped down the hallway, Toad sprinting behind her.

 Chapter 24: Bells Brews

    Melena¡¯s voice was left behind in the dining room as she was pulled down the hall. Owl¡¯s thin fingers were like iron bands, bruising her arm. He made a short detour to a room that looked like a study. Keeping the pistol upon her, he retrieved a very small box from inside the desk and put it in his pocket.

    Owl¡¯s grip returned to Melena¡¯s arm and they quickly traveled down a sweeping staircase and out of the house into the darkness. Thinking of Hickory Guards and nosy neighbors, Melena stared wide eyed around the manicured lawn. Seeming to read her mind, Owl¡¯s fingertips dug deeper.

    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re going out the back way, Miss Elf. And fair warning, if you scream I will put a bullet in your back.¡±

    Melena nodded jerkily.

    ¡°Where is Bell¡¯s Brews?¡± asked Owl, conversationally. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of it.¡±

    ¡°21<sup>st</sup> Street, East Hickory,¡± Melena whispered, her voice shaking so badly she was amazed he could understand her. ¡°It¡¯s a terrible shop. Dreadful. Worst potions in the city. No one would ever, ever think that the ingredients to the Seeking Solution would be there. It¡¯s the perfect hiding place.¡±

    ¡°How do you know it¡¯s called the Seeking Solution?¡± asked Owl, eying her critically. ¡°I never said what the potion was.¡±

    Melena hesitated for half a breath. ¡°I¡¯m good at potions.¡±

    ¡°But the Seeking Solution,¡± Owl pressed, tightening his hold on her arm to the point that she winced. The gleam from the moon fell upon the pistol, inches from her side. ¡°That is a terribly rare potion. It took me a tedious amount of time to learn it was in fact actual and not fantastical babbling. How could a little girl figure out something so quickly?¡±

    Melena¡¯s legs jerked as she walked.

    ¡°I¡¯m good at potions,¡± she repeated.

    Owl snorted contemptuously. ¡°Did you know that people thought the directions were nothing more than a children¡¯s poem? Hair of the unicorn, talon of the roc, Springs of Mirg, Moonflower, Elfin Moss. Stir together what you seek. Listen. Listen. The Vessel speaks. Moronic, isn¡¯t it? But after a few potioneers proved the poem came from a woman who was known for her unnaturally powerful brews, they began to think otherwise.¡±

    They were nearing 21<sup>st</sup> Street. Melena recognized the area. There had to be a way of getting away, but his hold upon her felt unbreakable. And if she did break free, would he react fast enough to shoot? Would he miss her in the dark? She couldn¡¯t stop glancing up at the lines of apartments and lofts as they slipped underneath. If only someone would look out a window ¡­

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious what it is I¡¯m seeking?¡± Owl asked suddenly.

    ¡°No ¡ª  I mean, I never thought about ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Do you know about me, Miss Elf? Have you heard of me?¡± Owl asked.

    ¡°I ¡ª Toad told me you¡¯re rich,¡± said Melena, taken off guard.

    ¡°I am the sort of businessman who follows in his father¡¯s footsteps. The name of Owl has been feared and respected for three generations. I was more than honored to take up the mantle from my father, but my younger brother was a dreamer. He wanted to be an explorer. Someone who dug about in the dirt in search of artifacts. I loved my brother, Miss Elf. I loved him far more than anything else in this repugnant world. I knew he wouldn¡¯t be content in the family business so I agreed to fund his and his partner¡¯s endeavor to find the fantastical and mysterious.¡± Owl¡¯s voice was harsh in its sarcasm.

    ¡°It was the last time I ever saw him.¡±

    Melena did not miss the irony that Owl too was in search of his missing brother and a manic bubble of laughter escaped her throat at the insanity of it all.

    Owl didn¡¯t seem to notice, too lost in memories.

    ¡°He died in the venture.¡±

    Melena sobered at once, the cold steal of the gun returning with frightful clarity. ¡°What?¡± she blurted.

    Owl nodded. ¡°His partner ¡ª the woman ¡ª abandoned him after an attack of some sort. Abandoned him and left him to die. She disappeared, fled to who knows where after I failed to kill her. No one has ever hidden from me so well, but I am a persistent man. And finally, after five years, I will have the tools to smoke her out of her burrow like the weasel she is.¡±

    There was a gleam of white in the dark as Owl smiled.

    ¡°Right before she escaped from me, I managed to get this.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Owl removed his hand from her arm and for one split second Melena considered running, but her eyes were fixed upon the cold steal of the pistol and she knew she¡¯d never make it.

    From the confines of his coat, Owl pulled out the small box. ¡°Are you squeamish? I hope you¡¯re not.¡±

    He clicked it open and held it out to her. Against her better judgment, she looked down inside the box and there, nestled in velvet lining, was a finger.

    ¡°I cut this from her hand and preserved it as best I could with the aid of certain potions. At the time I didn¡¯t realize how important it would be. I kept it as a reminder of the vengeance denied me. But as you know, being so good at potions, the Seeking Solution requires a bit of the thing you seek. Imagine my delight to discover how handy this finger would become.¡± He snapped the lid closed and tucked it away again.

    ¡°Nice that my house is in East Hickory,¡± Owl added pleasantly, returning his hand to her arm. ¡°21<sup>st</sup> Street is practically around the corner.¡±

    Melena¡¯s heart thundered with the realization of who Owl spoke of. She kept her eyes on the dark street, fearing that he would be able to see that she knew far more than he thought she did if he met her gaze.

    ¡°When you find her, are you ¡­ are you going to kill her?¡± Melena asked, voice trembling as much as the rest of her.

    ¡°Oh, yes.¡±

    ¡°But that won¡¯t bring back your brother.¡±

    Melena knew she¡¯d gone too far when Owl jerked to a stop. Violent tremors raking her body as he stood as if carved from ice. The fingers digging into her arm could have been talons.

    ¡°No,¡± Owl whispered, not looking at her. ¡°It won¡¯t. And that, Miss Elf, is the point.¡±

    She nearly fell as he began to walk again at a brisk pace, yanking her after him.

    <hr>

    Bell¡¯s Brews looked just as it had when she¡¯d left it six months ago, and the sight of it, with its dirty front window and barrels of yellow-striped snails sitting squatly on either side of the door startled Melena thoroughly, as if she had expected the building to have crumbled down like the Rambler¡¯s abandoned ballroom. The windows to the Bells¡¯ apartment over the shop were dark. Melena silently prayed that they had left the city, maybe for a little get-away trip, but she knew that wasn¡¯t likely. Mr. Bell was the stingiest man in all of Calendula. He had never taken a vacation in his life.

    Melena knew where the spare key was kept and she carefully eased it out from behind one of the barrels, flicking off a wayward snail before unlocking the shop door with a faint click.

    ¡°The ingredients are in the workroom,¡± she whispered, her heart banging in her chest. ¡°I¡¯ll just go and ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Lead on.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be faster on my own. The Bells are probably upstairs.¡±

    There was a window in the workroom, small enough for her to squeeze through. If she could just get to it ¡ª

    ¡°I¡¯d rather you give me the full tour,¡± Owl replied, coldly.

    Owl followed her closely as she crossed the dark shop to Mr. Bell¡¯s back room. What was she going to do? Would Owl recognize elfin moss, or could she pass off a bit of lichen?

    Her throat dry, Melena raised her hand to open the workroom door when something flashed under the door ¡ª a light. Before she could utter a sound, the door swung open and a man spoke: ¡°Nice doing business with you, Mr. Bell. I¡¯ll get those spider eggs next we¡ª¡±

    Everyone froze, taken by surprise. Melena could see Mr. Bell, a small oil lamp in one hand, standing open-mouthed behind a greasy haired man in a much too tight suit.

    Half a heartbeat later, the greasy haired man bolted, barreling past Melena and Owl, sending Melena careening into a tower of shelves. Bottles crashed down upon her, shattering around her feet.

    ¡°What? What? What?¡± Mr. Bell kept repeating. Then his mouth snapped shut as he spied Owl¡¯s pistol.

    ¡°The ingredients,¡± Owl demanded. ¡°Get them!¡±

    ¡°W-w-what?¡± Mr. Bell stammered.

    Owl kept the gun on Mr. Bell as he yanked Melena to her feet, pushing her toward the workroom.

    ¡°Bring me the ingredients! Now!¡±

    ¡°Ervin, what¡¯s going ¡ª¡± As one Melena, Owl, and Mr. Bell turned to the stairs where Mrs. Bell stood, her fluffy dressing gown rosy pink, her blonde hair in curlers.

    ¡°ROBBERS!¡± she shrieked, seeing Owl¡¯s weapon. ¡°ROBBERS!¡±

    Owl pointed the gun at Mrs. Bell ¡ª

    ¡°NOOOOO!¡± Mr. Bell tackled Owl. The gun went off and Mrs. Bell shrieked. Mr. Bell and Owl fell to the floor, sending another cascade of broken glass and wood to the floor. Melena tried to scramble clear of their thrashing limbs, slivers of glass cutting into her palms.

    That was when she saw it, the oil lamp Mr. Bell had been holding. He¡¯d dropped it when he¡¯d jumped Owl. Dropped it upon the potion-soaked wood floor ¡ª potions that were highly flammable.

    Smoke was already billowing upward, stinging her eyes, choking her lungs. It wouldn¡¯t be long before the floorboards sparked into life and then the entire shop would be an inferno. There was another bang from the gun that made Melena drop to the floor, covering his head. Another shot. A scream. A shattering of glass as the front window smashed.

    Melena couldn¡¯t see. She couldn¡¯t breathe. If the gun didn¡¯t kill her, the fire certainly would. She crawled blindly, hoping she was heading toward the door.

    Something landed on Melena¡¯s back and, thinking it Owl, she shrieked, flailing.

    There was an indignant screech, the sound of flapping wings, and the weight lifted off her. Melena looked up and through the smoke she saw the form of Hazel.

    The shop door banged open.

    ¡°MELENA!¡±

    Melena scrambled to her feet and ran. Covering her mouth, choking on the smoke, she hurtled toward Toad¡¯s voice and her foot landed on something that rolled: Joe.

    Scooping him up, she zigzagged through the crackling shelves and ran straight into Toad, hovering in the doorway, Hazel flapping above them. The street was quickly filling with people, woken by the gunfire and shouts. Thick, black smoke was rolling out of Bell¡¯s Brews.

    ¡°Come on!¡± Toad yanked on her arm, pulling her into the gathering crowd.

    Melena couldn¡¯t leave. She had to help them. Mr. Bell ¡ª horrible, wretched Mr. Bell ¡ª had saved her life. But with smoke in her lungs she could only sputter and hack. She dug in her heels, refusing to leave, trying to get Toad to understand.

    Toad was unswayed. ¡°The Guard¡¯s coming,¡± he said, pointing down the street. ¡°They¡¯ll sort it all out.¡± And he succeeded in dragging her away from the shop.

    Before her eyes, a group of men in red uniforms rushed inside the apothecary while others whistled for more to come. Melena and Toad were steadily squeezed to the middle and then to the back of the crowd as more and more onlookers appeared, many offering their help to quench the flames.

 Chapter 25: Saint Brendas Orphanage

    Toad and Melena retreated to the steps of an apartment building located on the opposite side of the street, just far enough away from the throng of pedestrians, but still within view of Bell¡¯s Brews. Melena¡¯s hair was singed and she kept coughing. Her hands were bleeding; she didn¡¯t even flinch when Toad pulled out the glass. Her eyes were fixed upon the shop, just barely visible through the crowd of onlookers, smoke billowing up into the night. Joe was safely sandwiched between them on the step, with not a crack, not a chip, even after Melena had stepped on him.

    ¡°I did this,¡± Melena whispered, tears leaving long streaks on her sooty face. ¡°I brought him here. I¡ª¡±

    ¡°You were buying time,¡± said Toad firmly. ¡°How were you to know that this was gonna happen?¡±

    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll get them out alive?¡±

    ¡°Course,¡± said Toad stoutly, following up with a sentence he¡¯d never said in his life: ¡°The Guard¡¯s the best.¡±

    Hazel landed on Melena¡¯s shoulders and tucked her scaly head under Melena¡¯s chin. Her presence seemed to awaken something in Melena.

    ¡°How did you get out of the house?¡± she asked, turning to Toad, as if she¡¯d just realized he was there.

    ¡°Lynch came along through the window and cut us all free. Jack and the others did a runner. I¡¯ve got a feeling they¡¯re leaving Hickory for the time being.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t go with them?¡±

    ¡°No ¡­We¡¯ve gone our separate ways.¡±

    Toad could feel Melena¡¯s eyes on him.

    ¡°Thanks for those boxes,¡± he said.

    ¡°What boxes?¡±

    ¡°The ones in your bag. They fell out, remember. When I was trying to escape, Ogg came at me and all I had were those boxes so I threw one at him and he started sneezing. He could hardly see straight. What was that stuff?¡±

    ¡°Sneezing Snuff. It¡¯s filled with powdered prickleberch seeds. There was a man selling them on the street.¡±

    ¡°Saved my life, that stuff.¡±

    Melena gave a watery smile. Toad watched her as she tried to mop up her face. Her hands would need bandages. The crowd of onlookers was growing as a brigade of fire wagons arrived. The whole street was awake now; people leaned out of the windows above Toad and Melena as the Guard manned the pumps.

    Toad felt wired. Unsettled. Jerky. He twisted the hem of his coat to try to settle his nerves, watching water spray onto the apothecary. How was he supposed to say it?

    This might sound crazy, but you know that Milo you were always yammering about? He¡¯s me!

    Toad grimaced. It sounded stupid inside his own head. Even if he did manage to say it, would she believe him? What proof did he have other than what Bone and Wilson had said?

    Toad¡¯s stomach flipped sickly as a new thought came to him.

    What if she refused to believe him? What if she was insulted and marched off? He¡¯d been with her for so long now that the thought of Melena and Hazel leaving him behind made his heart constrict.

    He had to tell her

    Just say it.

    Say, I¡¯m Milo.

    I¡¯m Milo.

    ¡°Melena, I¡¯m¡ª¡±

    But the crowd buzzed in a new frenzy and Melena jumped to her feet.

    ¡°They¡¯re bringing someone out!¡± Melena cried, standing on tiptoe, trying to see over the crowd.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Bells,¡± said a girl to her sister from a window over their heads. ¡°See, Loraine. They¡¯re fine. I told you so. Just a little smoked¡ª¡±

    The girl¡¯s talk was drowned by a sudden shriek from across the street.

    ¡°HE WAS TRYING TO KILL US!¡±

    Toad looked upward to the window with the two sisters. They looked shocked and were talking frantically to each other, but over the sudden swell of noise from the crowd at Mrs. Bell¡¯s accusation, he couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying.

    ¡°Oy!¡± he shouted up at the sisters. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Owl,¡± the first sister shouted back at him. ¡°They¡¯ve got Mr. Owl. And ¡ª I¡¯ll be gob-smacked! They¡¯re arresting him!¡±

    ¡°Oh, no,¡± Melena whispered.

    ¡°Oh, no?¡± Toad repeated, confused by Melena¡¯s expression of dread. ¡°It¡¯s excellent! They¡¯ve got him!¡± He punched the air.

    ¡°But they won¡¯t be able to hold him,¡± Melena moaned. ¡°He¡¯ll get out and he¡¯ll come after us.¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t get off,¡± Toad argued. ¡°The Guard¡¯s been staking out his house. Dowell¡¯s been after him for awhile. And now they¡¯ve got him! We¡¯re safe, Melena! We¡¯re safe!¡±

    Melena didn¡¯t look convinced.

    ¡°What about Ogg? Or that other man? Fletch? Or all the others in Owl¡¯s organization?¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°They won¡¯t come after us, not with their boss in the slammer. They¡¯ll be trying to save their own skin,¡± said Toad, knowingly. ¡°I bet they run for it. The Guard will be storming the house any minute now that they¡¯ve arrested Owl. No one in his crew will stick around.¡± And Toad felt so confident that they were safe that he scooped up Joe from the step. ¡°Come on, I¡¯m starved.¡±

    Now that the danger had passed, it felt as if he hadn¡¯t eaten in days.

    They walked away from crowded 21<sup>st</sup> Street.

    ¡°What now?¡± asked Melena suddenly.

    ¡°Well, erm¡­¡± The prickly unease returned without warning, sharp and tannic on his tongue. Say it. Just say it. ¡°I dunno know. We could¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I took the ingredients,¡± Melena burst out. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I ran out on you. I was so ¡­ so ¡­ angry! You were right, I did overhear you talking to that man at the inn and I thought you were going to steal the ingredients, so I stole them. Oh, Toad, I never should have thought¡ª¡±

    ¡°Slow down!¡± Toad was highly uncomfortable at the glistening of Melena¡¯s eyes. ¡°If anybody should be apologizing it¡¯s me. I¡¯m the louse, Melena, not you!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not a louse,¡± she said, tremulously.

    A few young men ran past them toward the commotion they¡¯d left behind. Toad wondered if they¡¯d stopped the fire yet.

    ¡°If you really had thought I was gonna take the ingredients all for myself,¡± said Toad, something dawning on him, ¡°why¡¯d you rescue me?¡±

    Melena seemed to blush, but in the dark, Toad couldn¡¯t be sure. She scuffed her shoe on the cobblestones and mumbled, ¡°I made the potion.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Melena took a deep breath. ¡°I made the potion,¡± she repeated, more clearly. ¡°Izzie told me what the ingredients made. She told me what the potion would do. It finds someone or something and it worked. I found¡ª¡± She bit her lip. Her eyes stayed fixed upon her shoes. ¡°I found¡ª¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    Melena looked at him then.

    ¡°You ¡­ know?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Well, I sort of figured it out. When Owl took you away, Bone got a bit ¡­ vocal.¡±

    Melena gasped.

    ¡°He told you you were Milo? He knew?¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t know my name. They just said that I¡¯d been Snatched from Miggens Street during a fire and¡± ¡ª Toad grinned rather sheepishly, running a hand through his wayward hair ¡ª ¡°how many fires does that street have anyway?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Toad!¡± Melena¡¯s face broke into a watery smile and she hugged him tightly. ¡°Are you all right with it? Are you sure? Because I know you were set on your dad being a pirate and if you don¡¯t want to be my brother, it¡¯s okay. I won¡¯t force you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay!¡± said Toad, surprised by how okay he was. ¡°Really. I¡¯m good with it.¡±

    Melena glowed. At their feet, Hazel let out a whiny warble.

    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re all starved. Where are we?¡±

    Toad looked around and felt as if a hand had just closed around his heart.

    ¡°Miggens Street.¡±

    How odd that for over eleven years he¡¯d strolled down this very street where he¡¯d lost his parents and lost his sister, uprooted from all that could have been, without a passing thought. Now, as he looked at the sleeping townhouses with their flower boxes and small, fenced in yards, he pictured a very different Toad, a Toad named Milo. How funny. He wanted to bolt like a jackrabbit, and simultaneously stay on this spot of cobbled road forever.

    A hand slipped into his own. Startled, he turned to see Melena, smiling sadly, understanding completely.

    ¡°St. Brenda¡¯s Orphanage should be around the corner,¡± she said softly. ¡°They¡¯ll take us in until we figure something out.¡±

    They started walking again.

    ¡°What d¡¯you mean?¡± said Toad, relieved that his voice was steady. ¡°What do we need to figure out?¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m currently unemployed.¡±

    ¡°Hey ¡ª why don¡¯t we become explorers!¡± said Toad. ¡°Instead of that Private Inspector¡ª¡±

    ¡°Detective.¡±

    ¡°¡ª we¡¯ll be Private Explorers!¡±

    ¡°And what exactly would we explore?¡± Melena asked with a teasing grin.

    ¡°Anything! Everything! We¡¯ll go on hunts for hidden treasure!.¡±

    ¡°As long as we do not get trapped, Master Toad,¡± said Joe, dryly. ¡°Lost treasures have an unpleasant tendency of being underground.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± said Toad with a laugh. ¡°I ain¡¯t going underground ever again. But I still don¡¯t understand why Owl wanted you, Joe. Why¡¯d he call you the Vessel?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the key part to the Seeking Solution,¡± said Melena.

    ¡°The what?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the name of the potion I used to find you. It¡¯s called the Seeking Solution and Joe¡¯s the Vessel. He isn¡¯t a beer mug at all. He¡¯s a cauldron. All the ingredients, when put into Joe, make the Seeking Solution. He told me you were Milo. He told me where you were. And Owl¡ª¡± Melena grabbed Toad¡¯s arm suddenly in a vice-like grip. ¡°Owl¡¯s after Izzie!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± said Toad, shocked.

    ¡°Elizabeth?¡± said Joe, startled.

    ¡°He told me ¡ª he said he was after a woman who¡¯d left his brother to die and that he¡¯d cut off her finger and he was going to use the potion to find her!¡±

    ¡°No way,¡± said Toad, shaken. ¡°Izzie wouldn¡¯t ever hurt anyone. She wouldn¡¯t leave somebody to die ¡ª even if he was an Owl!¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Joe raged, indignant. ¡°That lying kumquat!¡±

    Toad could tell that Melena didn¡¯t want to believe it either, but that she couldn¡¯t stop herself from saying, ¡°But it¡¯s a terribly awful coincidence, isn¡¯t it? How many women are missing fingers? And Izzie ¡­ why would she choose to live on the Shards of all places when she can live anywhere? It¡¯s ¡­ possible, isn¡¯t it? And what¡¯s to stop Owl from trying to find her again when he gets out¡ª¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t get out,¡± Toad insisted firmly. ¡°They¡¯ve got him, Melena. Everything¡¯s gonna be okay, now.¡±

    ¡°Elizabeth would never do such a dastardly thing,¡± Joe assured Melena passionately. ¡°Do not believe that braggart, m¡¯lady!¡±

    Melena worried her lip and Toad, though still reeling from the possible revelation about Izzie, wanted to change the subject.

    ¡°How did Joe know it was me?¡±

    Melena looked confused for a moment before saying, ¡°The hair.¡±

    ¡°What hair?¡±

    ¡°The hair in my locket.¡± Melena withdrew a silver locket from under her shirt that Toad had never seen before. ¡°It belonged to my ¡ª our ¡ª mother. I must have been playing with it before the fire. There were two locks of hair stuck inside, each tied with a ribbon. Mine had a pink one and yours had a blue one.¡±

    There was a pause.

    ¡°Our mother put bits of our hair in a locket and carried them around?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the craziest thing I¡¯ve ever heard. Was she into potions?¡±

    ¡°I ¡ª I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°I bet she was,¡± said Toad, growing more convinced by the second. He could picture her now: an older version of Melena, bent over a steaming cauldron, adding clumps of cat hair and rose petals. He was filled with both a deep fondness and a great sadness. ¡°Only you potion people would think it was fun to hold onto bits of hair.¡±

    Melena smirked. ¡°Lots of people keep hair in lockets, Toad. It isn¡¯t that odd.¡±

    Toad eyed her skeptically.

    ¡°It¡¯s really lucky that she did put our hair in it, otherwise the potion never would have worked.¡±

    Hazel launched herself into the air and soared the last few feet to the orphanage, windows yellow and bright.

    ¡°So the potion only works with hair and ¡­ fingers?¡± asked Toad.

    ¡°Not at all, Master Toad,¡± said Joe. ¡°My Great Lady, the one who made me, intended to use a pearl.¡±

    ¡°A pearl?¡± said Toad, startled. ¡°Really? What for?¡±

    ¡°To find her way home,¡± Joe explained. ¡°She fled it many years ago.¡±

    ¡°If she ran away why would she want to go back?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, Master Toad, the home we flee is still the only home we have.¡±

    Toad didn¡¯t know what to say to that and Joe, in turn, had gone oddly silent ¡ª the silence felt rude to break. But with a jolt, Joe seemed to come back to the present and exclaimed: ¡°But what is Ol¡¯ Joe doing, dwelling in the threads of the past? This is a night of celebration! Of family and triumph! Let us dine, Lord and Lady! And Ol¡¯ Joe will regale you with stories to fuel your dreams tonight!¡±

    With such a promise, Toad and Melena quickened their pace to the orphanage¡¯s front steps, their laughter bouncing off the cobblestones.

    <<<The End>>>