Seren kept their hood down. Eoin helped them limp down the town’s dirt road, navigating for them. Seren watched the different shoes that came into their limited field of vision. The shoes would all move out from their way, some had carts, others were leading animals. The road itself was hard from the amount of travel it had seen.

Seren’s eyes were travelling, trying to see as much as they could without letting anyone see their face.

“We’re almost to Doc’s place,” Eoin said. He shrugged Seren a little higher on his shoulders.

“ ‘kay, we should probably move quick,” Seren whispered.

“And make your injury worse? Not a chance.” Eoin said. “There’s actually something I need to pick up while I’m here…”

“Really?” Seren scoffed in disbelief.

“Yeah, we skipped breakfast too.” Eoin said, turning them down a side street. “Maybe we’ll grab something from the bakery. It’s a quaint little place with the best fresh baked pastries you’ll ever have. Well maybe not you, but I’ve ever had.” Seren rolled their eyes.

“Just cause I-” Seren stopped and looked down at the dirt with an awkward hum. “Just because where I came from doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy or appreciate nice things.”

“All right,” Eoin conceded with a smile. “Almost there.” Seren winced as they stepped wrong. The thought had crossed their mind that Eoin could be leading them to their mother again. But it stood to reason that if Eoin was going to collect a ransom, Seren was definitely worth more dead than alive. Thus no reason to take them to a town. Instead Seren was left with the thought that Eoin might not be out to hurt them at all.

“Hey Eoin,” Seren whispered.

“Mm?”

“Why did you take me?” Seren asked.

“I told you, time for you to earn your keep.” He said. The broad grin heard in his voice.

“No, I mean. Before that.” Seren said. Pulling their cloak tighter over their shoulders. “Why did you bring me to the house at all?”

“Would you prefer I kill you?” He asked, brushing off the question entirely. Seren shook their head.

“You know exactly what I mean,” they said.

“No, I don’t think I do,” Eoin shrugged. He stopped them and flipped Seren’s hood off. “We’re here!” Seren yanked their hood back on but looked up to the two story house before them.

“Ever seen a doctor before?” Eoin pushed open the door with his elbow.

“Sure, there was a physician in the castle that came around to help my- I mean the queen, whenever she felt upset.” Seren said. Limping and stumbling sideways into the house.

“But have YOU ever seen a doctor?” He asked.

“Uh… personally? No, I don't remember seeing one.” Seren shrugged. Eoin walked them into the center of the room where a table was set up.

“Eyy Vanda! Is the Doc in?” Eoin asked the young woman behind the table. The room behind the table was a mess of bookshelves, papers and even a living area. The woman had sandy blonde hair and the bluest eyes ever seen.

“For you? Always,” Vanda grinned. She had a gap in her teeth. “What’s the matter?” Eoin pulled Seren’s hood down again.

“This is Seren, they’re new. Also busted an ankle on a hunt.” Eoin turned Seren around and sat them onto the table. Vanda lifted Seren’s ankle up by the calf. Avoiding touching their ankle at first.

“Can you take off your boot?” She asked.

“Sure,” Seren nodded. They pulled their boot off and lifted their pant leg up. Vanda daintily lifted Seren’s ankle with cold hands and felt along it. Seren winced every so often as Vanda inspected their injury.

“I’ll let dad know, my best guess is a twisted ankle. Nothing too serious but he’ll want to take a look at it just to be sure.” She turned and vanished up the stairs.

“Thanks Vanda!” Eoin yelled up the stairs. He grabbed the chair she’d been sitting in and collapsed into it. Smiling at Seren. “We’ll be outta here in no time. Then we’ll hit up the bakery and take a stroll down the market. I can’t remember exactly but I know we were talking about picking up something.”

“You never answered my question,” Seren persisted.

“Is there a particular answer you want to hear?” He asked. “It’s not that complicated. Your mom’s a bitch, I felt bad, I offered you a place to stay. There’s nothing more to it than that.”

“Aren’t those who take money to kill people not supposed to feel bad?” Seren asked. “Was this a first time?” Eoin laughed.

“Between us? Nah, you weren’t the first. That’s actually how I met Doc Bones. Funny story.” Eoin said scratching at the stubble on his chin.

“So what went wrong? Was I that pitiful?” Seren frowned.

“I mean a little, but mostly it was far too obvious that your mom was lying to me. Lies by omission are still lies. Once that became obvious I couldn’t trust she wouldn’t have me arrested the second she was sure the job was done.” Eoin explained. “I did rather like that talking to you gave to your mom. I was a little proud for you, especially that running away bit, but the madhouse part? That’s where I got angry for you. No one deserves that. Death is an easy out, but those hospitals? Not even the crazies deserve some of that stuff.” Seren narrowed their eyes and stared hard at Eoin.

“Eoin!” An older man came down the stairs arms wide open. Seren tried not to stare at the man’s wooden leg and his near skeletal arm.

“Hey Doc!” Eoin jumped up and went around the table and the two hugged.

"It's rare you come to me, lad!” Doc backed up and clapped Eoin hard.

“Accident in the field, you know how it is!” Eoin smacked Doc right back. Seren felt like their own body was wooden. Doc turned to them and they sat up straight.

“Vanda tells me that you got a twist in your joint, huh?” He came over and Seren sat up straight.

“Don’t worry. If it’s broken, we’ll amputate!” Doc roared with laughter as Seren paled. “Oh don’t look so glum kid! It’s a bit of a joke!” Doc took up Seren’s ankle and felt along it. Seren felt their skin crawling under his skeletal fingers.

“Don’t worry, it was an unfortunate accident involving a bit of magic.” Doc said as he inspected. “Tell me when it hurts. Wife was a witch, a common thing for physicians, the town had a bad outbreak of flesh rot. Contracted it myself while treating it. Ate away the flesh on my hand and arm. M’lovely woman carved a charm on my bones that healed up the wound and allowed me to continue using it. She was a true miracle, gods rest her soul.” Seren nodded. Mentioning whenever his twisting or prodding hurt them. Doc stepped back with a nod.

“Well Vanda’s right. Your ankle’s twisted.” Doc said, stepping away from the desk. “We’ll wrap it up, remember to unwrap and let it breathe twice a day, and I suggest staying off your feet for a few weeks.”

“Then we’ll see you around the house to check up on us?” Eoin asked.

“If there’s dinner involved!” Doc Bones burst out into laughter again. Eoin laughed just as loud. Vanda appeared from the stairs and moved around to the table with a roll of cotton.

“Hold still please,” She said. Seren nodded and Vanda began to bandage up their ankle. “See if you can’t get something warm to help soothe the swelling in the evenings.”

“Right, thank you,” Seren nodded. They offered a smile and Vanda smiled back. A little blush on her freckled cheeks. Seren took their boot and slipped it on. It was awkward underneath their boot with the bandage but it didn’t bother them too much. Considering they weren’t supposed to walk on it.

“All right man, we got stuff to grab while we’re here.” Eoin shouldered Doc.

“Well it was great for you to drop by. You should do it more often” Doc and Eoin travelled for the door. Seren slid off the desk and tried to hobble toward the door. Vanda came around the table and slipped under Seren’s shoulder and helped them. Doc opened the door and shook Eoin’s hand. Seren scrambled to pull up their hood as they noticed the people in the street. Attention attracted by Eoin and Doc’s yelling. Vanda handed off Seren to Eoin. The door shut behind them and the pair hobbled toward the main road.

“Okay, we can go home now. Right?” Seren asked.

“We have stuff to pick up,” Eoin said. “Then home,”

“I shouldn’t be walking. Remember?” Seren asked.

“You’re not. At least, not on the bum leg.” Eoin shrugged. Seren huffed and hung their head. “C’mon, you’ll feel better after you get some food in you.” Seren shook their head slowly. Eoin helped Seren along the streets. Seren didn’t try to resist it. Figuring something to eat would be nice.

They travelled down the road to where the street started to smell of fresh pastries. Seren tilted their head up a bit to smell it better.

“Mm, smells like apple cinnamon.” Eoin said. Seren felt their mouth start to water.

“I love apples,” Seren said then dropped their head a little. “Or at least, I did.”

“Oh?” Eoin asked.

“Yeah, th- I mean. Mom. Had this hidden apple tree. It had these weird apples on it that were so good. I’ve never tasted anything else like it.” Seren sighed. Remembering the apples had tears trying to escape.

“Hey, how come you’ve never seen a doctor before?” Eoin asked, changing the subject. “Haven’t you ever been sick?”

“Nope,” Seren said. “I can’t ever remember being sick. Well no, there were a few times I got a bad stomach bug. But I’d just go outside around the apple tree and sleep it off in like a few hours.”

“You had a stomach bug and you went and ate a bunch of apples and passed out?” Eoin asked. Seren half shrugged. “You weren’t eating the rotten ones on the ground right?” Seren snorted. Eoin pulled Seren into a small shop where the smell of sweet pastries intensified. Seren breathed in to get as much of the scent as they could.

“Smells great doesn’t it?” Eoin asked.

“Yeah it does,” Seren admitted.

“Let’s get some breakfast,” Eoin brought Seren to one of the seats for them to sit.

-----

The Queen paced. Nearly a week and not a soul had seen Seren, alive or dead. The Queen kicked one of her discarded heels. Alone in her chambers there were no reasons to stand on ceremony.

“Your Majesty?” The lady in waiting asked. The Queen didn’t turn to her. But she could smell the tea and cakes. “Ma’am you’ve hardly eaten or slept for the past week.”

“Has any news come up?” The Queen asked, ignoring the lady altogether.

“No ma’am, but the parties have been working around the clock.” The lady walked in through the chambers and placed the tray on one of the Queen’s tables. She turned and placed her hands behind her back and watched the Queen pace.

“Ma’am, please eat something.” The lady asked, still watching the Queen pace. “You’ve become so pale.” That made the Queen stop. She turned slowly toward the lady. She shut her mouth tight and looked to the ground. The Queen stalked toward the lady. The young woman swallowed hard and shut her eyes. The Queen stalked up and loomed over the woman.

The door opened with a crash. The captain of the royal guard drew himself up and coughed.

“A civilian has claimed to have seen the heir!” He said breathlessly. The Queen lit up and threw her gown to the side as she ran to her shoes.

“Show him to the throne room, immediately!” The Queen commanded. The captain nodded and ducked out of the room. Running down the hall. Completely forgetting to excuse himself or close the door.

“Your majesty,” The young woman tried.

“Speak quickly,” The Queen barked. Yanking her hair down and throwing a brush through it.

“Ma’am if I may speak plainly.” The young woman said with a slight waver in her voice. “Well I don’t care much for the heir. I find them disagreeable.” She paused and winced. The Queen was also struck speechless, she slowly put the brush down and stared at the young woman.

“What’s your name, girl?”

“Sawyer, ma’am.”

“Sawyer,” The Queen turned back to her vanity and pulled her hair up. “I confess I don’t care for them either.” Sawyer’s face lit up as she looked up to the Queen relieved.

“The rest of the staff don’t share the sentiment.” Sawyer said all too happily. “They’re all worried and hopeful to find them alive.”

“Is that so?” The Queen turned from her mirror once her hair was satisfactory. “And you?”

“My thoughts are less charitable,” Sawyer sneered. The Queen nodded, she smiled and gestured for Sawyer to come to her side. The lady in waiting hopped and flew through the air to the Queen. Plucked from their reverie by the Queen’s sharp painted nails. Snatched by the jaw.

“Any of this conversation leaves this room, I’ll have your head for hearsay.” She said lowly. Sawyer nodded. The Queen released the girl’s jaw and started down the hall. Sawyer kept right behind the Queen all the way to the throne room. The guards and a peasant farmer were waiting for her. All bowed their heads as the Queen entered the room.

“What have you seen?”

“I saw them in the town of Cannonry. It was from a distance and behind. But I made out a person with short dark hair and I think it was your child,” the farmer mumbled. Tongue tied by anxiety. “They were with a man we’ve seen around the market a few times. He was helping them walk, it seems they were injured in some way.” The Queen stared hard at the farmer. Trying to wrap their head around what he was saying.

“You saw them, alive?” The Queen asked.

“Yes your majesty.”

The Queen didn’t have to think too hard to come up with who that man with Seren might have been.

“What do you know about the man they were seen with?” She asked.

“He comes to the market occasionally with some others we don’t recognize. They aren’t from Cannonry and only visit rarely with things to trade.” The farmer explained.

“Does anyone know anything more about them?” The Queen demanded.

“The Doc might,” the farmer mentioned. “The person in question was injured. They probably saw him at some point.”

“Have him brought to me immediately!” The Queen commanded. The Captain saluted and turned to his men but then paused and turned back.

“Permit me, your majesty?” He asked. The Queen waved him impatiently to get on with it. The Captain turned to the farmer. “Was the heir struggling or upset in any way?”

“No,” the farmer shook his head. “In fact they had a bright smile and kept pulling their hood up to hide their face. The man they were with was the one pulling it back.”

“How is this relevant?” The Queen asked.

“If they weren’t struggling and were trying to hide as this man has said then.” The Captain took a breath and rested his hand on the hilt of his blade. “Then it’s possible the heir has chosen to leave and wasn’t kidnapped.” The Queen’s eyes narrowed.

“Your majesty,” The Captain bowed and quickly left. Taking his men and the peasant with him. Promising the peasant he’d take care of the offered reward. The Queen sat into her opulent throne and crossed her legs. Looking up at the door on the opposite side of the grand hall.

“So, now what?” Sawyer asked from beside her. The Queen looked over, having completely forgotten that the young woman was there. She looked down to the white stone floor. The intricate rug travelled from the back of the room to the head. But not coming within six feet of the throne. The Queen stood from her throne and brushed her dress off.

“Follow,” The Queen commanded. She started off down one of the well hidden doorways that existed for the royals to make hasty exits. Sawyer followed closely on the Queen’s heels. They walked in silence with Sawyer wringing her hands together. The Queen staring ahead in silent contemplation. Leading the pair all the way to the gardens.

“Have you ever gone into the labyrinth?” The Queen asked as she stopped in front of the barriers between the roses and the stone walls.

“No ma’am.”

“Good,” The Queen snapped. “Follow.” She passed the barriers and into the labyrinth.

“How many people know the way through?” Sawyer asked.

“Only two,”

“You and the Captain?”

“Myself and the heir.”

Sawyer held their breath. A slight amount of rage burning under her skin. Of course they would know the way. They seemed to know and have everything. It made their blood boil.

“Can I ask how?” Sawyer asked, trying not to clench her jaw.

“By disobeying me,” The Queen turned and twisted through the labyrinth’s halls. Sawyer waited for the Queen to elaborate but she never did. They went in silence. Sawyer trying to create landmarks to follow. She kept seeing the same landmarks at every turn, until it seemed like they were going in circles. But Sawyer trusted the Queen would know the way.

The trust paid off when the labyrinth opened up to the center. Growing in the center there was a single tree covered in white blossoms. Sawyer stared open mouthed at the tree, the Queen swiftly leaving her behind. The Queen went up to the tree and slipped up her sleeves. Sawyer jumped and ran to her side. Shocked speechless when the Queen bent down and picked up a filthy slab of wooden boards. Moving it from between the roots. Dirt slid off from both sides as the slab was moved away. Revealing a tunnel under the tree.

“Where does it go?” Sawyer breathed.

“This isn’t the time for questions.” The Queen said. “I have need for an apprentice, and that’s all you need to know.” Sawyer felt her heart jump into her throat at the Queen’s words. She nodded with a barely hidden smile and followed the Queen down the hidden tunnel.

Inside the Queen struck a match and began lighting a series of candles. All were black. The small room lit up with bookcases and an alchemical set.

“It’s…” Sawyer started but stopped. Chancing a look at the Queen for whether she was allowed to speak. The Queen paid her no mind. Tending to all the candles and double checking them in the dim light to be sure no roots were near the flames.

“It’s a witches nook isn’t it?” She asked before biting her tongue.

“It is,” The Queen said gravely. With the candles inspected, the Queen went to the far edge where the candles didn’t light. “Come, be wary of the flame.” Sawyer slipped between the lit candles, the tables, and shelves to where the Queen stood. Before the abyss.

“Eyes from the beyond, show me what you see

Reveal the face of whose true name I speak,”

Sawyer’s eyes widened as the abyss opened. The Queen barked a name Sawyer didn't recognize. In the reflection Seren appeared.