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We travelled along the route for another week before stopping by a little village to replenish whatever we needed. Even then, we didn't need much, since these sorcerers could conjure almost anything in the blink of an eye. So we didn't take too long there, only staying for one night at a dingy local inn. When we left the next dawn, I'd suddenly realised that I didn't even know the village's name.

The landscape looked similar to my eyes, all snowy ground and bare trees. The sorcerers would clear a path for us up front by melting deep snow, and we trudged along safely without any sleds. Although winter kept most of the monsters at bay, it didn't diminish the churning feeling in my stomach. We were drawing closer to Erstürnach, and with it, Hamelin.

Hamelin. The place was almost as alien as Heidelberg was nearly a year ago. A year. Had it really been that long since I'd last seen Papa Gunter? I wondered if he still had his brown hair, streaked with grey. I wondered if he still took pride in his wonderful woodwork. I wondered if he was still so patient and kind and loving.

Now that I thought about it, the more resemblance I could see between him and Josef. I'd never considered it until the secret unravelled itself, as it was near impossible to associate my old home with the splendour of a stronghold. The idea that anyone from such a desolate place might be associated with someone in a city was ridiculous.

Not anymore, it seemed.

The air was slightly milder than usual today, missing its stinging bite. Still, my cheeks were flushed red from the cold, and my fingers were bitterly frigid. Lord Himmel hadn't bothered to grant me a change of clothes, and so I was stuck with the same attire he'd given me when we left. The overcoat was thick, and the boots warm, but they weren't sturdy enough to brave more horrendous weather.

I swayed dangerously on the back of the mare, exhaustion piling on my head. Lord Himmel barely allowed me out of his sight when I needed to use the privy, and he'd ordered a female sorcerer to stand guard over me. He would always force me to sleep on the most uncomfortable spots in the tent. Which equalled to a sore back and sleepless nights. And that wasn't counting the aches I obtained via the riding.

"Hamelin scouted ahead, milord," reported Kaiser suddenly. I jerked awake. He was riding right beside us, his moustache looking stiffer than ever in the cold.

Lord Himmel nodded in response. "Very good. Tell the sorcerers to hasten their speed, Kaiser. We'll try to make it there before evening."

"Yes, milord."

Kaiser quickly rode away, bellowing new orders to his sorcerers. He seemed enthusiastic, and so did Lord Himmel. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for me. What nature of business did Lord Himmel have in Hamelin? Surely he wasn't just planning to stop by for the night.

Again, the chills ran down my spine. As if the weather wasn't enough.

It took a few more hours of steady riding before the outline of the town was in the distance. My stomach churned. I didn't know if it was in excitement or in fear. The atmosphere around me grew lighter, more carefree. Evidently they were eager to get off the road for a while.

Then it grew closer, closer, closer. It felt so wrong. I didn't want to follow Lord Himmel like I was supposed to. I wanted to scream and throw myself off the horse. Maybe I would snap my neck and die, and that would be the end of my worries. I wouldn't have to endure this nightmare for another moment longer.

But I clung onto thoughts of Elise and of Josef. They expected me to stay strong. Too much was at stake here.

I couldn't let them down.

So I held on.

Before I knew it, we were already through the crumbling walls that served as a meagre defence against the monsters. The sorcerers on guard didn't stop us for questioning, though they raised their fists in salutes as we passed. Some of them stared at me. I supposed that they remembered me as the cripple in the town. I didn't understand why they looked so surprised. I was probably in a worse state now than when I'd first left. Every part of me was bedraggled, and I looked like I had been dragged through snow. At least, I assumed I did. There were no opportunities for me to check my appearance.

The setting sun painted long shadows over the landscape, as well as the faces of the people. Each one of them stopped whatever they were doing to look at us, admiration and envy on their expressions. Each one of them gave bows or curtsies to Lord Himmel. Each one of them sneered at me.

Looked like old feelings never died.

We continued to wind down the various paths, which were badly cracked and needed plenty of mending. Our progress was slightly slowed, but it didn't hinder the horses from making their way towards the Mayor's house. I almost immediately recognised the route we were taking.

Surely enough, we approached the Mayor's house. It was still in dire need of repainting, and it was still as bare as I'd last saw it. It was pathetic compared to the real castles. However, it still stood out in Hamelin, with its three stories and unspoiled roof tiles. A few of the remaining servants stood at the entrance, ready to receive us.

Lord Himmel tugged on his horse's reins before swinging down, as agile as a cat. He helped me down, and I could feel his fingernails diggings sharply into my waist. I bit my tongue to keep myself from crying out.

The Mayor's head servant, Wilhem walked forward and gave us a deep bow. "Is there any baggage the lord and the lady wishes to pass on to us?" he said.

"Nothing in particular, save for our horse." Lord Himmel gestured towards the mount. Wilhem whistled and another servant rushed forward to take its reins. He led it away quickly.

"Come. We've prepared warm baths for you." Wilhem stepped aside to allow us entrance. From what I could see, the interior remained almost the same, except that it was missing bits and pieces of furniture.

Then I looked back. All the sorcerers were still atop their mounts. My brows furrowed with a question, which I didn't ask at Lord Himmel's next words: "You all may leave now. I shall see you here tonight."

Kaiser, representing the whole guard, put his fist to his heart and bowed. "As you wish, milord." He steered his horse and commanded the sorcerers to follow him. They rode out of the compound, and we watched till they were out of sight.

Someone cleared his throat, and we wheeled around to see that it was Wilhem. "Milord, milady. If you will please come in."

Lord Himmel brushed me aside and headed straight in. I trailed behind like a meek, lost puppy. A maidservant approached me, said that she would lead me to my room, and Lord Himmel and I went our separate ways. My mind was numb. I saw the space when I had been whipped till I was bleeding all over the floor; I remembered being screamed at by the Mayor in one of the hallways for failing to correct my posture; I recalled being slapped for the first time in one of the study rooms for being illiterate.

Cold sweat trickled down my neck; fear sang throughout me. My wrists were still bound, and I couldn't do anything about it. If I were to be attacked, I would have no chance of drawing my Medium out. I felt so small, so useless.

I felt like prey again.

When the maidservant opened a door and revealed the room inside, my blood chilled. It was the same room I had been put in for my fairly brief stay here. A deliberate choice of the Mayor's.

"The bath has been prepared for you, milady." The maidservant kept her eyes downcast as she spoke, and in her broken figure I saw a reflection of myself: scarred, timid, frightened. Lord Himmel and the Mayor had more similarities than they had on first sight. "Would you like me to help you scrub?"

"Yes. I'd love that very much," I said. I held up my bound wrists for emphasis, and her brows raised in concern.

"All right then." She ducked into the antechamber, various clatters of the necessary oils being prepared sounding from inside. I took in a deep breath, exhaled, squared my shoulders, and marched after the maidservant.

I would stay strong. I had to.

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