Because your blood is red, there is a witch within you.

----

Concerto XII-The Grazing Lullaby over the Forest Grove

----

Anzi remained frozen as the gypsy girl dropped her arm and turned her gaze to the ground. The slight movement of her hair made her jewelry clank together and form little jingling sounds.

“I’m sorry.” The girl said. “It was out of line for me to touch you.” Anzi turned back to her, confused.

“No, it’s okay.” She replied. “Will that boy…?” As soon as she started asking, the boy began to stand up again, and then brought himself back upon his feet. He took a few moments to collect himself, and then proceeded as if nothing had happened.

“Cain is strong.” The gypsy girl said.

“You said he was a witch…” Anzi began. “But he’s also a gypsy. Does that mean he’s half and half?” The girl chuckled a bit.

“No. He’s a pure witch, alright.” The girl said. “We found Cain when he was very young, and took him in as one of our own. It helps morale sometimes, to have a witch among us; almost as if Aneseph himself was among us.” She smiled and Anzi found herself smiling a bit too.

“Would it be alright if I talk to Cain?” Anzi asked the gypsy.

“Sure. I’ll bring you over now.” She replied, and the two strode over the enigmatic boy, who was sitting on the back of the wagon. He didn’t look up as they approached, and his eyes were hidden under his hat, making him seem even more mysterious. “Cain,” The girl said as the neared, “There is a girl who would like to meet you. This is…what was your name again?”

“Anzina, “Anzi told her.

“Right; Anzina. She liked your music.” Cain slightly looked up, his blue eyes filled with boredom. He looked over Anzi briefly before turning away again and looking at something far off in the distance. The girl turned to Anzi with an apologetic look. “He’s a little quiet.”

“You…” Cain said randomly, his voice cold yet mellow. “You’re a half witch, aren’t you? I can feel it all around you.” He mumbled. Anzi gasped, as did the girl beside her. How could he have figured that out just by looking at her? The gypsy girl had taken a few steps away from her as well, and looked at her with disbelief.

“A half witch? Here?” She asked.

“How…?” Anzi began to ask, but Cain shook his head.

“This master is coming.” He said simply, and sure enough, the man from before came around the wagon and looked at Anzi suspiciously.

“My apologies, young lady. Were my gypsies bothering you?” He asked with fake concern. He gave her a toothy grin, and she noticed that several of his teeth were crooked.

“Not at all, sir.” Anzi replied, wary. “I was just telling Cain that I enjoyed his music and his story.”

“Did you now? He’s something alright. Boy, the horses need feeding and watering. Get on it before I get angry, understand?” He demanded, his voice threatening. Without a word, Cain hopped off the ledge he was sitting on and walked out of sight. “And you,” The man continued, pointing to the other girl, “You have work to do to. Don’t be standing around all day you worthless, lazy gypsy!” She nodded with a somewhat frightened look and then dashed away. The man turned back to Anzi. “Sorry about that. It’s tough keeping them in line.”

“Oh,” Was all she felt safe to say.

“So you liked the stories, eh? He’s something, that kid. Those are gypsy stories he tells, straight out of their little religious slander. But he makes ‘em sound like something else entirely.”

“That’s really a gypsy story?” Anzi asked, surprised.

“Sure are. Those gypsies can be tricky. They can make anything sound like a fairy tale. Now if you’ll excuse me miss, I gotta make sure that they all stay in line. If you liked the performance, you can always come back later to hear him again.” And the man disappeared behind the wagon. Anzi turned and walked away quickly, chills going up and down her spine. Markus, Reed, and Hecata approached her, looking worried.

“Well?” Markus asked. “Did anything happen?”

“No, everything is fine.” Anzi insisted. “That boy was just playing some music. It was very nice. You guys should’ve come over.”

“I’d rather not. It’s good to keep a healthy distance between yourself and gypsies. The same goes for witches.” Anzi felt a slight panic well up from her stomach, but pushed it back down.

“Well Markus, it seems as if we’ll be parting ways now.” Reed said suddenly.

“Are you sure? I don’t just want to leave you-“The farmer began, but Reed cut him off.

“We only asked of you to bring us here. Asking anymore would be rude. Besides, we’ll be fine from here on out.” Reed replied with almost a certain coldness as his hair fell in front of his eyes. Markus slowly nodded.

“Very well…I need to be going off to try and sell off this produce. Good luck, you three, and stay away from the gypsies!” Markus turned the horse and cart and began to move away out of sight. Anzi let out a breath she had been holding. Though this town was supposed to be safe, it felt like danger was everywhere.

“So…that boy you were listening to…?” Reed asked her.

“He’s a witch, not a gypsy. Reed, it’s terrible-the gypsies have to sell themselves out to people in order to make money, but the man these gypsies are working for is cruel. He hit that witch-his name is Cain-for no reason!” Anzi explained, her heart breaking.

“You mean that boy with the gypsies is a witch?” Hecata asked.

“Well, let’s not talk about this right here. For now, let’s find an inn where we can stay for the night and somewhere to buy a map.” Reed said, leading them away from the square.

----

Night had fallen quickly on the town, and the crescent moon was already on its long trek across the sky by the time Anzi and Reed found a room at an inn. Hecata had fallen asleep almost immediately upon settling down in the room, but Anzi was still unsettled and Reed could tell, but he hadn’t said anything as of yet. He currently was sitting at the old, worn down desk that the room afforded and was looking at the map they had purchased. It was a used map, so there were notes and lines drawn all over it, but somehow Reed was able to see through all the markings and find the roads and towns marked all over.

“We could head north east from here and go up into the Adrias Mountains. Lots of nomadic witch tribes are supposed to lurk around there, and we could probably rally up some of them to go against the fanatics.” Reed explained. Anzi was looking out the dusty and dirty window at the pale moonlight that shone down on the rooftops. That boy, Cain…there seemed to be more to him than what was on the surface, and the fact that he could tell, just by a glance, that she was a half-

“Anzi?” Reed asked again. She blinked and looked over at her childhood friend. “What’s the matter? It seems like something is bothering you.”

“It’s Cain…”

“That witch from earlier today? You never did say anything more about him.” Reed replied. Anzi nodded and glanced at Hecata before continuing.

“He knew I was a witch.” Anzi revealed. Reed’s eyes might have widened, but other than that he made no sign of surprise. “I mean, he just glanced at me and knew…he said ‘you’re a half witch, aren’t you?’ It was so hard to believe he had said that. I mean…I was really taken off guard. There’s something special about him, Reed.”

“But there’s nothing you can do about it. He’s the property of that guy, just like you said.”

“We can’t just leave him, Reed. He’s being mistreated!” Anzi cried, feeling the unfairness of the world.

“There is nothing we can do. Gypsies sell themselves off all the time to make money. It’s just something they deal with.” He replied, eyes not leaving the map, but not focusing on it either. Anzi looked down at the crooked floorboards, heart heavy with guilt and frustration.

“He’s not an ordinary person, Reed.” She replied. “If he could tell I was a half witch just by glancing at me, while Hecata and Ophi, and all the other people we’ve met up till now couldn’t…then there has to be something else about him. He may have something we need.”

“What makes you say that? Look, it’s already dangerous enough bringing Hecata along. We can’t have a whole party of misfits and outcasts tagging along with us just because you feel bad for them!” Reed insisted harshly, an edge rising in his voice. As he had been talking, he had stood up out of his chair and was now looking directly at Anzi, his wheat colored eyes ablaze in the low lantern light.

“How can you say things like that? Besides, Cain could surely look out for himself!”

“You don’t know that. Look, Anzi, out here in the world sometimes you just have to let things be. You can’t save everyone.”

“Yes I can! It’s possible to do that, isn’t it?” She replied desperately, with clenched fists. “Isn’t it?” She looked for an answer out of him.

“As soon as you left the school, Anzi, you had to step out of that fairytale world we were raised in. This is what the world is like, and we just have to deal with it. We can’t change it.”

“Then why are we even going to fight the fanatics? Why are we even going to find the good witches of the world? It’s not like it’ll change anything, just like you said!”

“Anzi-“Reed tried, approaching her.

“Hypocrite,” Anzi responded harshly, turning away and crossing her arms. Reed sighed. What was he supposed to do now? She was being difficult, and he had to admit that he was being a hypocrite at this moment in time. Did he admit he was wrong? No, that wouldn’t help any. He had to convince her to stop being so stubborn all the time. Honestly, it was getting annoying to him, but his feelings for her stopped him from being too harsh. He cursed at himself in his head-he was so weak sometimes!

“Anzi,” He tried again, but stopped when he heard the faintest sound come from outside. Anzi heard it too and they listen for a moment. It seemed to be a song of some s ort. Anzi walked to the window and opened it carefully, sticking her head out. Indeed, it was a song, coming from somewhere in the town, and not too far away. She closed her eyes and listened more intently to the notes flowing over the air. They sounded as though they came from a harp.

“Cain,” She gasped almost silently. She turned back into the room and took up her cloak from the other bed and swirled it around her shoulders. “It’s Cain-I have to talk with him.” She said.

“But Anzi, you can’t go alone!” Reed insisted. She frowned at him but said nothing as she made her way out of the room, closing the door behind her. Reed sighed as he heard her soft footsteps make their way down the stairs. He rubbed his eyes in fatigue and glanced back at the abandoned map. Whatever path they took, and no matter how many were with them, it would no doubt be difficult.

----

Anzi ran out the front door of the inn and into the pale night. She listened for the guiding music again and dashed off in the direction it came from. Cain was here, somewhere, and his song seemed to be calling her to come, but it wasn’t insistent. It invited her to approach, but only if she wanted, or dared to. She felt as though she must find him. Cain wasn’t just an ordinary witch, but Anzi wasn’t sure why she felt that way. She didn’t know much about witches to know what was ‘normal’ for one, but Cain…he was just different. His presence was overwhelming, and his eyes seemed to know everything before it was thought. Though he hid under his hat, he seemed to have a control over everything around him. Anzi just wasn’t sure why. Even though she had only met him for a moment, she felt like she had known him longer. Cain wasn’t just a witch…in fact, she couldn’t be sure if he was even mortal…

After following the song and hearing it get louder and louder as she approached, she finally found the building upon which he was perched, sitting on a roof in the moonlight, his silhouette perfectly framed by the thin moon. She had to get up on top of that building, but she couldn’t just go barging in. Now she had a problem, but the music urged her to solve it-she had already come all this way. She looked around the building to see if she could find a way up and spotted in the darkness a rainspout that ran all the way up to the roof. It looked as if she might be able to climb it like a ladder.

She ducked into the alley and tried to get her feet up on the brackets that held it fast to the wall. It was hard to find good footing, but once she did she began to drag herself up the spout. The going was hard and she slipped a few times. She was also fairly sure that she cut her hand along the way, but was more worried that by the time she got up on the roof, Cain would be gone. Luckily he was still serenading the sleeping town, so Anzi didn’t have to worry. At last she made it to the roof, and scrambled over the side. She took a little rest before she stood up and prepared to confront the mysterious witch.

“Cain,” She started, but he didn’t turn or acknowledge that he had heard her. She was about to say something, but he beat her to it.

“Something tells me that you have come seeking something from me.” He said, his music falling in a decrescendo so that she could hear his soft voice.

“Who are you exactly?” Anzi asked. “How did you know I am a half witch?”

“I am no one and everyone at the same time.” He answered. “It was easy to tell what you were. Your soul betrayed it to me.”

“My…” She was dumbfounded.

“A time is coming where people will have to decide what they believe and choose sides. You will be in the middle of it, right? That’s what you are planning? I can feel the air of change all around you.”

“Are you some kind of fortune teller?” She asked, confused. She wasn’t aware witches had this sort of power, but then again, Cain had been raised by gypsies.

“It’s around everyone. Change is coming, just like a summer storm. The air gets tense and the wind starts to blow. There is a heavy feeling and the sky darkens. That’s how you know rain is coming. Change is no different. You can feel that people are restless, and the more of us who die, the more people will start to notice and begin to take a stand.”

“You mean the witch killings.” Anzi supplied, thinking that she was starting the get a handle on everything. “You may be with the gypsies, but I know that you’re a witch. Some girl in your group told me.”

“I am a witch. I don’t hide it. You keep it closely guarded by your heart. Why?” He still didn’t turn to look at her, and his music still lingered softly, a gentle lullaby over the night.

“Because of who I am. I’m not really sure I can tell you all the details, but…my parents weren’t just a random witch and Arkan. They were…kind of important people. If everyone knew who I was, then it would cause a lot of conflict.” She paused for a moment, dwelling over things. She had to be careful with the way she worded things. “My name is Anzina Heckendate. I already know that you’re Cain. Do you have a last name?”

“Gypsies do not have family names like the people of this country. I was orphaned or abandoned or separated somehow from my witch parents, but the gypsies found me and raised me. I am grateful to them.” He told her. “But you…”

“My parents are long dead.” She replied, thinking that’s what he meant.

“You are destined for something greater than what you are trying to do.” He stopped playing suddenly and stood up briskly. Anzi was surprised by the sudden lack of music-everything seemed so much quieter now. “What are you trying to do now?”

“My friends and I…we’re going to head up north to find the good witches and fight the fanatics. If we do that, then maybe the witches can finally live peacefully.”

“It will be difficult to gather our people, and even more so to get them to fight.” Cain replied.

“Is there a way to get them to fight?”

“They have fought before and lost. The fanatics are powerful, and so is the government. But the senate is blind and cannot tell the difference between the two groups, so all of them are killed off. The good witches, as you call them, are tired of fighting. They have lost many times and now want to stay hidden. If you go north to the mountains to try to find them, they will resist and even kill you if you press the matter too hard.”

“Cain, I want you to come with us. What that man does to you-“

“It is fine.” He replied evenly. “It does not matter. He doesn’t hurt me really, and it is not the first time I have been hit by anyone. It is part of gypsy life. And there are those who are worse off. As long as I am alive and my family is with me, then there is nothing more I need.”

“It’s not right!” She demanded. “Come away with us now! You can sleep tonight and then we’ll sneak you out in the morning!”

“That would be abandoning my family. I could never do that.” He said. He turned to her and his blue eyes blazed at her with their own light, intense and warning. “To do that is as bad as killing them by your own hand.” She was terrified. She had been right-Cain wasn’t just an ordinary witch, but it was clear that he wasn’t going to indulge her curiosity by explaining exactly what he was. Anzi sighed. She wanted to get through to him, but maybe he already knew and understood what she was trying to say. Next to him, she felt so young and small, like he had wisdom of universes on his shoulders.

“But aren’t gypsies no better off than witches?” She asked, trying to sound more convincing and braver than she felt at the moment. He looked sad for a moment.

“We are used to it. ‘Civilized’ men came from this continent to the southern territories where we dwelled. They told us that we were wrong and backwards, divided our land into countries, installed ‘governments’ and then left us scrambling to try and fix our lives after they tore them up. Families were separated by borders and dysfunctional laws that were put in place by incompetent men on fragile glass thrones. We want things to go back to how they were. That way of life works for your people up here, but not for us. We live as one, according to Aneseph.”

“Do you believe in the gypsy bible?” Anzi asked.

“You know of it?” He asked, not surprised but more in a tone of sarcastic amusement.

“I know a little of it. I saw a gypsy bible once, and the one who owned it told me some of your stories. But you really believe in it? I thought witches didn’t believe in that religion.”

“Since I was raised by the gypsies, I was raised with their beliefs and their teachings. I do believe in Aneseph’s word.” He answered. “Do you?”

“I’m not sure…it seems plausible, but…I was raised in a monastery. Nuns and monks were my teachers, and the bible of our religion was read to me every week at mass. I was taught to believe it, and I’m not sure anymore. I think both are true.” She answered. “Yes…I think both could’ve happened. That’s what I’ll think for now.”

“Then why does the government call ours barbaric and base? Why is our word banned and yours held most high?” Cain asked seriously. Anzi dared to look directly into his eyes for the first time-she had only glanced at them before- and found them to be so deep, and dragging her into another world of thought in being. Cain did not exist in the same way that she did. She gathered that by looking at his eyes. He was somewhere above her. But he was not at her level, not on the same plane of existence as she. She was terrified by what she found in his eyes.

“I don’t…I can’t…”

“Go back to your friends, Anzina Heckendate.” He said, the first time he had used her name. “I am glad that you joined me on this night, but our acquaintance ends here. Perhaps you will realize what you are.” He stepped back and dropped off the roof silently. Anzi blinked, but was too stunned to move. Something told her that he had vanished all together, but she did not know how. A rough wind rose up through the trees and blew through her hair and cloak, while a small cloud blew in front of the moon. She knew she must head back to the inn-Reed was probably worried about her, and it wouldn’t be safe to be out alone.

At the same time, she was too lost in thought to move, as if turning to go back would break her train of thought. Cain had told her so many things, but how many of them made sense? And he knew about her…not really, but he seemed to be predicting her future. She was destined for something greater than what she was trying to do…it frightened her. It also discouraged her that it seemed the witches had given up on fighting. If what Cain said was true, it would be difficult to get them to go against the fanatics. There may never be peace for the witches.

She finally brought herself to move and turned around, making her way back to the rainspout and clambering back down it. Her supposedly cut hand was throbbing a bit now, so she thought that she might get Reed to look at it for her. As her feet quietly touched the ground, she thought she heard a rattling in the alley. She brushed it off as a cat and turned to go back out onto the main street, but then there was a rushing sound and two figures were on either side of her. There were incoherent mumblings, and Anzi tried to make to get away, but one figure grabbed her arm, and the other forced their fist into her ribs, knocking the wind out of her. While she struggled to regain her breath, the figures were trying to drag her away, and it seemed as if more had joined them. Anzi couldn’t hear what they were saying, as if they existed worlds away. Finally it came into her now numb mind to try and get away. She started to try and pull her arms free, and the figures noticed and grabbed on tighter. A new set of hands grabbed onto her wrists and it seemed as if they were tying a rope around them. Another figure came up and grabbed on her arms, and then said something at which the others snickered.

Anzi was beginning to panic. What did these people-if they were even that-want with her? Why couldn’t she understand what they were saying-they weren’t speaking in another language. She had to get away. They could be witches. When this fact crossed her mind, she struggled harder, but never said a word to her captives. The one figure on her left laughed, said something to the others, and then Anzi felt a hand clasping itself on her breast. She shouted out and lounged herself into the figure, who released her.

“She’s flat,” A male voice said to the others, the first comment she had been able to make out. The others snickered again and restrained her tighter.

It seemed as if the ones trying to bind her weren’t the only ones there. It felt as though there were others standing behind them, watching the struggle casually.

“Well, now I’m afraid to see what’ll happen if I tough her leg.” The same figure that had touched her before remarked.

“Try to keep your hands to yourself.” Another figure with a much younger sounding voice scolded. “She’s difficult enough as it is.” Anzi couldn’t make out what was going on, but had not stopped trying to get away. She twisted her wrists this way and that and pulling and just keeping herself moving to try and find a gap through which she could break free. They were having trouble tying the rope because of this.

“Knock her out and you can feel her up all you like.” The same younger voice from before remarked.

“Oh, I couldn’t do that to a girl. Besides, I like them alive and squirming when I touch them.” The male voice said back. Anzi nearly felt sick. No way was she going to let some strange old man touch her in any way. She was too young to be touched like that. Was that why she was being captured? Was she going to become a prostitute, or some kidnapped slave that a group of old men could pleasure themselves with? It was sickening, and she thrashed about more desperately than before.

“Stop moving you dumb girl!” The younger voice commanded. She finally found it in her to scream, and scream she did-louder than ever before. Without warning, one of the other figures screamed too.

“My hand! My hand is burning!” Anzi noticed a blue light seemingly coming out of nowhere, but whatever it was it blew back the figures and she was able to get away from them. She looked down at the source of the light-it was her bracelet again! Her father had come through for her again to protect her!

Unfortunately, she didn’t get far until one of the figures caught up with her and shoved her into a wall, and then pinned her there with his own body. He wasn’t much taller than her, and by the sound of his voice, not too much older.

“You’re gonna pay for that. Now stay quiet and we’ll make sure that this is a painless as possible. If you behave, we’ll treat you well.” He whispered dangerously into her ear. She tried to squirm but he stopped her, pressing his chest against her back harder. She was crushed between him and the hard, cold wall of whatever building she had chanced to cross in front of before getting pinned.

“Who are you?” She managed to ask. It seemed as if the boy might of answered her, but suddenly there was an echo of a musical chord and he was off of her. She looked and saw that he had been forced back several feet and thrown to the ground. She looked towards the opposite direction to see none other than Cain with his harp, his cape settling back down behind him. He looked up at Anzi, his eyes narrow.

“Are you alright?” He asked her softly.

“Yes…But how-?”

“Get over behind me.” He demanded. She half ran and half stumbled over to him and took refuge behind his small figure. The other figures finally comprehended what was going on and faced their new foe.

“How the hell did you do that?” One of them asked.

“Who are you? Go away; we’re not doing anything wrong!” Another said. Cain didn’t respond to any of their remarks, and strummed his harp again, this time in a melodic scale. Some invisible force knocked the figures off their feet and to the ground. Anzi was amazed. How could Cain be doing that? The light from her bracelet had died down, but it wasn’t nearly as fantastic as what was happening in front of her. Cain struck the harp again in the same pattern of notes and the figures were blasted away again. By now, several lights were flicking on in the buildings along the street, and faint voices were beginning to be heard.

“Damn,” Cain uttered, and Anzi was surprised at his language. He grabbed her arm. “Come,” Was all her commanded and her began to pull her along the street and away from the scene. The other men, whoever they were, also noticed that a lot of attention was starting to be drawn, and made their own escape back into the darkness.

Cain and Anzi made their way back to a part of town that wasn’t aware of the battle that had happened. They paused briefly, Cain looking around to get an idea of where they were, and then finally speaking again.

“Where are you staying with your friends?” He asked softly.

“The inn is over this way.” Anzi said, pointing back in the direction from which she had travelled earlier this night. He dragged her in that direction until she alerted him that they were nearly there, and then he stopped and released her. He stood with his back to her, and she was at a loss for words.

“Are you sure you are not hurt?” He asked quietly, so much so that she almost missed it.

“No, not from the men; I probably cut myself climbing up on the roof. Do you know who they were?” She asked.

“No one to be concerned about. They were probably just looking for a girl like you to take with them. They were Arkans, so I doubt they had anything to do with the fanatics. You have nothing to worry about-if they were witches, than they would have started using their magic and would’ve recognized mine.” Anzi gasped.

“That was your magic?”

“My connection is with sound. I can alter any sound waves in the air.” He explained briefly. “You should go to your inn now and go to your room and sleep. Stay with your friends and do not try to see me again.”

“But why, Cain? Come with us!”

“I can’t. The master will no doubt have discovered that I am gone.” And like that he disappeared again. Anzi sighed sadly. She hadn’t been able to convince him after all. She turned and went to the inn like she had been directed to, not wanting to meet more dangerous kidnappers.

----

“I still can’t believe you.” Reed was saying the next morning over breakfast. They were sitting downstairs in the inn, and though Anzi had told Reed everything that had happened last night after she had returned to their room he was still in half shock and horror about her adventures. “All that dangerous stuff-Anzi, those men could’ve been fanatics!”

“But Cain said they probably weren’t because they didn’t use magic.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. They might’ve known who you were and were trying to capture you! You have to be more careful!”

“Not so loud, Reed.” Anzi insisted, getting embarrassed. Then both realized that Hecata had been listening the whole time-how could she not when Reed was practically yelling and she was sitting next to them-and was looking at them with curiosity.

“Why would the fanatics want Anzi?” She asked. Both of them looked at each other before looking back to the child.

“Well…um…” Reed thought, but then Anzi came up with an idea.

“You see, Hecata, for a short while I was living in the house of Duke Fritzbold Londerry, training to be an attendant or lady-in-waiting of some sort in the court. Because of that, the fanatics might kidnap me and use me as a hostage to try and get the duke’s aid.” Anzi explained, proud of herself for making up such a tale. Hecata seemed to accept this well enough.

“So they would want to use you because you’re the duke’s friend! How awful!” She replied.

“That’s why we have to keep it a secret.” Reed added, jumping on to this lie. “We can’t let anyone know that Anzi had such close ties to the duke.”

“Alright then, I’ll keep it a secret too.” Hecata replied, and the two older kids smiled at each other with relief.

“I was thinking that we might leave today and head out to the mountains.” Reed said, changing the subject.

“But what about Cain?” Anzi asked, surprised that Reed wanted to leave so soon. Reed shook his head.

“You said that he wouldn’t leave. There really isn’t anything we can do to persuade him.” He replied.

“There has to be something.” Anzi insisted. “We can’t just leave him here.”

“It seems as though he wants to stay. Look, Anzi, if he’s fine with it then just let it go. It obviously doesn’t bother him, so you shouldn’t let it bother you.”

“What bothers who?” Hecata asked. Anzi sighed and thought of how best to explain this.

“Remember the boy in the square yesterday who played the harp?” She asked.

“Yes, the gypsy boy,” Hecata replied.

“Well, he’s actually a witch.”

“A witch!” Hecata exclaimed. Several people who were also eating breakfast at the inn turned to look, but Anzi tried to ignore it, and instead told Hecata to hush.

“Yes, he was raised by gypsies. We want him to come with us. We’re going to go up into the mountains to get the witches to fight the fanatics.” Anzi explained.

“That sounds difficult. I don’t think the witches will fight them, Anzi.” Hecata said, becoming thoughtful.

“Why do you say that?” She asked.

“Witches nowadays don’t want to be connected with fanatics anymore. They tried fighting them back a few years ago, when the fanatical movement really started to get strong, but they lost many times, so they just gave up and wanted to be left alone. Witches like me don’t want anything to do with the fanatics. They just want to live peacefully, safe from the government and the fanatics.” Hecata explained. “That’s how it was in my village anyway.”

“We have to at least try. If the witches do nothing…” Anzi began, but suddenly the inn’s owner approached the table. Reed glared silently at the man, who took no notice, but Anzi and Hecata watched fretfully. He stopped in front of their table, looked at each one of them for a moment, and then spoke.

“Good morning; what brings a bunch of children to Piona Trista all by yourselves?” He asked in a genial manner, but his true intentions were clear. For someone living in a remote town such as this, he was well groomed and wore nice clothes-a deep red vest over a crisp white shirt. His honey blonde hair was cut short and neat, and his thin beard was also orderly. He seemed like he should be a low ranking politician instead of an inn owner.

“We’re just passing through. We came up here yesterday in order to buy a map.” Reed explained coolly. Anzi kept her gaze down at the table. This couldn’t be anything good.

“Aren’t you a little young to be travelling without a parent?” The owner asked.

“We don’t have parents. We were raised in an orphanage in Elsglaive.” Reed spat back. “We’re going down to Levenscoth, for our health. We all have terrible coughs that are provoked by the thin air in the higher elevations, so our teacher thought it best to send us south by the sea. There’s more air down there.”

“Isn’t Malt a bit out of your way then?” The owner asked. Reed raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse me?”

“Piona Trista is in the province of Malt. If you’re trying to get to Levenscoth, then you would’ve wanted to head due south. Coming up here is a bit out of your way, isn’t it?” The man asked.

“See? Exactly why we needed to get the map.” Reed tried, still keeping his calm exterior, but under his long bangs Anzi could make out a small amount of panic.

“There are several other towns along the way you could’ve stopped at, surely. And wouldn’t your teacher have provided one for you?” The owner quizzed. Reed looked up at him, a dangerous look taking over his face.

“Why don’t you get to what you really want to ask us?” Reed challenged, banging his palm on the table. The plates and utensils shook and rattled a bit, and now the attention of the while dining room was upon them. The owner didn’t miss a beat.

“Why would some orphans be in such deep discussion about witches in the north if they’re heading south?” He owner asked suspiciously, leaning forward. His voice had dropped several levels in volume.

“It’s just a topic that interests us.” Reed replied, turning away as if bored. The owner wouldn’t drop his pursuit though.

“It seems that the way you were going on that it would be more than just a hobby.” He straightened back upright and began to talk in normal volume. “Talk of witches isn’t well liked around here, children. There’s no such thing as good or bad-they’re all evil. They come into villages and take children. They kill them and then animate their corpses so they can spread their evil work, or they just bewitch people until they go crazy. Fafviner-no, the whole continent- would be better off if we just killed every last witch in the land.” The other men that were in the room and were listening seemed to agree, but were pretty quiet on the whole matter. During his whole speech, Hecata had been clenching her skirt in her small hands, and her knuckles were white. Anzi couldn’t stay quiet any more.

“Maybe if we didn’t go around killing them and blaming them for things they didn’t do, then we wouldn’t have all these problems!” She burst out. Reed gave her a look that warned her to keep quiet. “It’s only a small group of witches-the fanatics-that are attacking people! They’re even attacking the other witches too! Maybe if Arkans could see that and help the witches, then we could finally come at peace with each other and the whole kingdom would be safer!” The owner slammed his fist down on the table, and Anzi flinched back as he started yelling in her face.

“That’s EXACTLY what witches want! They want to trick us Arkans into joining their side so that when we aren’t looking they can kill us all and take control of the government themselves! The people of Piona Trista have been tolerant to witches for years, and look what happened last night! There was a fight down in one of the allies and it caused a whole ruckus! Is this what we get for our generosity!?” Reed lunged over the table and grabbed the man’s upper arm tightly.

“Don’t even dare yell at Anzi like that.” Reed threatened. He squeezed the owner’s arm tighter to get the point across and then released him. The owner took a few steps back.

“I want you kids out of here.” The owner said, walking away from the table. “Get your thinks and turn in your room key. My wife will be waiting at the counter.” And he disappeared behind some door that lead to a “staff only” place. Anzi looked at Reed, frightened.

“Let’s go. We have things to do other than hang around this lame town.” Reed said, walking towards the front hall of the inn. Anzi and Hecata followed him silently. When they were up the stairs and out of earshot, Reed began to talk again. “I forgot. I thought we were still in Quintucket, but years ago they created the province of Malt due to some dispute over land between Quintucket and Trojdenmei.”

“It’s fine Reed.” Anzi said. “We got out of that, didn’t we?”

“That witch fight he mentioned-that must’ve been between Cain and those guys who tried to kidnap you, right?” Reed asked.

“Yes, but it really wasn’t that big of a fight.” She said. “We ran away pretty fast-as soon as people started waking up from the noises.”

“Still…are you sure nothing else happened?” Reed asked. Anzi was surprised. In truth, she hadn’t mentioned her bracelet lighting up, but she didn’t feel that there was any need to. It was such an insignificant thing, and besides, she didn’t want Reed to say that she had to get rid of the bracelet. She didn’t want to learn that it was really something bad that they couldn’t risk having on them, so she would just keep it secret for now.

“I told you everything. There’s nothing else that happened.” She insisted. “Let’s just get our things and try to find Cain.”

“I thought he didn’t want you to see him again.” Reed replied as they came to their room and opened the door. They began to gather up what little they had, most importantly the map.

“I’m worried. What if his master find out about the fight? If the rest of the town knew about it, then surely his master would know and would blame Cain. What if he hurts him again?”

“If Cain doesn’t want you involved, than just leave it alone, Anzi.” Reed replied. “He wants it this way. And gypsies are like that with their families-they would rather die than just leave them like that. Cain feels the need to stay with them and work alongside them to make money. You can’t just come in and take him away from that.”

“But still…I wish he would come with us.” Anzi said sadly.

“It sounds like Cain really loves his family.” Hecata said, trying to cheer Anzi up. “If he’s with them and loves them, shouldn’t that make you feel glad too?”

“I know…” Anzi replied.

“Then don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine if he’s with them.” Hecata said cheerfully. Anzi looked at the young witch and tried to smile, but found she couldn’t. She had to find Cain and make sure he was alright.

There was a commotion from downstairs-a thump and some muted voices-that caught their attention. The three looked at each other and then, after hurriedly packing up their remaining things, headed to the stairs that lead to the front hall.

They hovered at the top steps and looked down at the situation. The owner was there, and so were some other people who were watching. On the floor was a girl in bright colors and lots of jewelry. Anzi gasped-it was the gypsy girl from yesterday who had introduced her to Cain. But what was she doing here?

“I don’t allow any of you filthy gypsies into my business!” The owner yelled. “Now go back to whatever troupe you came from and get out of my sight!”

“No, please! I need help-anyone’s help!! My master is-“She begged. The owner dragged her up onto her feet by her arm.

“You lazy idle gypsy! If your master is looking for you, it must be because you’re not working hard enough for him!” The owner threw her into a wall and some of the men snickered. Anzi cried out and began running down the stairs. Reed and Hecata reluctantly followed, trying to stop her from making any more of a scene. Anzi pushed through the crowd and past the owner to the girl’s side.

“Are you hurt?” Anzi asked to girl, helping her to sit up.

“You again! Do orphans like the cause trouble nowadays?” The owner asked tauntingly. She looked back up at him with anger rising up from her chest.

“You disgusting pig of a man!” She yelled. “How dare you toss around this poor girl when she comes to you in need!! Is there any reason for this hatred of yours?” She yelled. Reed let out and exasperated sigh. The last thing they needed was more attention drawn to themselves.

“I dare you to say that again, girl! Children should be seen and not heard!” The owner yelled back. “Now if you don’t get out of the way I’m going to make you pay right along with the gypsy!”

“Aren’t I one of the ones you hate too?” Anzi asked, losing some of her sense of reason and finding some newfound courage, if not foolishness. “I’m a witch!!” She yelled without thinking, and then gasped when she realized what she said. The whole crowd became silent. Hecata looked shocked and confused, while reed was giving her look that made it seem that he could’ve killed her. Anzi tried to hide her own surprise by biting down on her lip and looking back up at the owner, who was very quiet. Suddenly, he moved as if to hit her, drawing his hand back behind him. Anzi cowardly braced herself for the blow, but it never came. Instead, there was a light smack that was heard. She looked and saw that Reed had caught the man’s hand in mid swing.

“You little…” The owner began, at a loss for words.

“Anzi, take the girl and leave. Hecata, go with them.” He said. Hecata nodded, and Anzi helped the gypsy girl up. They three scurried out the door, a safe distance from the inn, and waited for Reed to come out. When he was sure they had left, he dropped the man’s arm and walked out, and not turning his back on the owner till her was on the front steps.

“Thank you so much for helping me.” The gypsy girl said to Anzi, nearly out of breath.

“I couldn’t just stand there and watch them hurt you like that for no reason. So, why did you come to the inn looking for help? What’s wrong?”Anzi asked. She was still shaken up from the whole ordeal, but continued to keep a straight face.

“Anzi,” Reed called from a short distance away. Anzi looked at him and could tell her was angry. He walked towards them and Anzi cowered away, by he grabbed her arm and made her face him. “What the hell were you thinking?!” He yelled, louder than she had ever heard him yell before.

“Reed, I,” She struggled for a sentence, but found none.

“You told them you were a witch? What possessed you to do something like that?!” He yelled again.

“I don’t know…I just…I wanted to help her and-“

“Not at the cost of your own safety!” He cut her off. He turned around, dropping her arm, and ran a hand through his hear in frustration. He let out a shaky sigh, trying to contain his anger, before he turned back to them. “Anzi, you are absolutely the most senseless person I have ever met.” Reed said, trying to keep calm but easily losing it. “You don’t think before you do things and you don’t understand the repercussions of your actions in society. You don’t understand how the world works at all!”

“I’m sorry, Reed. I wasn’t thinking.”

“You never think, Anzi. You just plow ahead blindly; doing what you might think is good at the time, but never looking ahead to see what problems might arise! You just told everyone in that inn you were a witch. What if some fanatics come by and ask the inn owner or one of the people who just heard your idiotic confession if they’ve seen you? Now they’ll know that you were here and will be able to find you! The inn owner will say that you were talking about heading north and helping the witches in the mountains!”

“But Reed-“Anzi tried, almost on the verge of tears.

“How do you expect to do anything like this?” Reed asked. “Just…how?” And that was it; Anzi broke down crying on the spot. She buried her face in her hands, ashamed. Reed was absolutely right-if she kept being reckless like this, then she would never be able to accomplish anything. The gypsy girl and Hecata were at a loss for what to do-it didn’t feel right that they were in on the situation. Hecata gave Reed a disapproving look, but Reeds hot back a glare that said ‘I know, I’m sorry.’ He sighed and approached her calmly. Without a single word he wrapped his arms around her and cradled her against himself. He couldn’t find words to speak, so instead he gently rubbed her back in support until he could think of something to say. “This will do you no good.” He whispered gently. “Relax a bit…stop crying, there’s other important things to do.” She took several deep and calming breaths before she could look up at him with blurry eyes and a tear stained face. “There we are…”

“I’m sorry…” She muttered. “I just can’t take this anymore. Sometimes…I just want to go back home.” He gave her a half smile in return.

“We just have to keep pressing on. Calm down and pull yourself together. This girl need your help, right? Come on…” He released her and she gathered herself back up again. The other two looked unsurely between each other-it was an awkward situation, but it had to be brushed aside-there were more important matters at hand.

“What’s wrong?” Anzi asked the gypsy girl. “Why do you need help?” The gypsy girl took a moment and then responded.

“It’s Cain. He’s gone missing.” She said. The other three gasped. The girl continued. “There was a witch fight last night in town, and the master thinks that Cain had something to do with it, since he was gone this morning. I have to find Cain first and warn him, and then get him to tell me he wasn’t involved. The master will hurt Cain, I just know it! But I know Cain would never get in a fight-he’s so quiet and gentle…I know he wouldn’t hurt anyone!” She clasped her hands together. “Please help me find him!” Anzi looked down at the ground before she could face the girl again.

“I’m afraid…Cain was involved in the fight.” Anzi admitted guiltily. The girl’s face fell for a second, and she looked somewhere between shock and disbelief.

“What?” She asked.

“He fought of some people who were trying to kidnap me. I don’t know if they were witches or Arkans, but…”

“He wouldn’t! Cain would never fight someone like that!!” The girl yelled, dropping to her knees in the dirt.

“I’m sorry…I saw Cain last night but…I don’t know where he could’ve gone.” Anzi adverted her eyes. This was all her fault-Cain was going to be beaten up or worse because of her own incompetence.

“We’ll have to search for him. It’s best if we split up.” Reed said, taking control of the situation. He began to think of what they could do in a situation like this and also of where Cain might have gone. “Could he have pursued the people who attacked you, Anzi?”

“I don’t know…I can’t think of why he would-he said they weren’t anyone to worry about…” She recalled.

“I think he knew something about them that he wasn’t saying…it almost sounds that way.” Reed deduced.

“But how can you be sure? What if they were really nobody to worry about?” Hecata asked. She turned the gypsy girl. “Do you know of anywhere he might have gone?”

“I have no idea. He was there when we all went to sleep, and I didn’t hear anything during the night…I can’t think of why he would’ve left in the first place.” She answered.

“We’ll have to split up and look for information. Hecata, take the girl with you and try to stay low. Anzi, you’re coming with me. Don’t even really bother about meeting anywhere-pursue anything that seems like a lead, and if you find Cain, then make sure you keep him in sight and bring him back into town.” Reed commanded. The two groups ran off and began their search for the gypsy witch boy.

----

They went from store to store, and even stopped people on the street, asking if they had seen anyone of Cain’s description, but no one had, save for a few that had taken notice of him yesterday in the plaza but hadn’t seen him since. Anzi looked at the hopelessness of the whole situation. Time was of the essence-they had to find Cain before the master did, or it would do them no good. They had to save him, somehow, but with no idea as to where the boy could’ve gone…

The more places she and Reed went to and the more negative results they got, the less Anzi began to believe they might find Cain. What could they do? What if Cain was gone forever?

Yet Reed kept going along, asking all sorts of questions of people. He stopped a woman who had a basket handle looped around each arm, each filled with groceries from her day’s shopping.

“Excuse me, ma’am, “Reed said, breathless, “but we’re looking for a boy who was with the gypsies. He isn’t that tall, and he has a big brown hat on, blonde hair…he probably has a harp with him.” He ticked off, trying to remember how Anzi had described him before. The lady thought for a moment.

“Actually, I think I did see such a boy last night. My niece’s daughter was awake and crying, so the two of us, that is my niece and I, were trying to get her back to sleep, and that’s when the commotion outside started up. I looked out and I saw a boy with a harp running somewhere quick, but I don’t know to where. Goodness, was he a gypsy? I could’ve sworn he was a witch.” The lady explained.

“Which way was he running?” Anzi asked desperately. The lady thought again.

“Well, he was heading towards the east road out of town. There aren’t any officers there for most of the day, so-“She was about to go on and on about something, but Reed quickly thanked her and dragged Anzi away. The two ran side by side down the street. A real lead on Cain’s whereabouts was too good to go to waste! At last, some positive news.

“He’s probably deep in the woods by now if he continued to go that way. Let’s hope that he stopped to sleep for some time before continuing.” Reed commented. Anzi nodded, even though Reed didn’t see. They headed towards the east road, just as the lady said, and found that indeed there were no officers there like there had been at the gate they entered yesterday. In fact there were few people there, so it was easy for them to pass through back into the forest. They veered off the road-in was unlikely that Cain had taken it once he had left the town. The skidded to a halt and caught their breaths.

“Now what? How can we tell which way he went?” Anzi asked. Reed thought for a minute while panting and looked around.

“Maybe look for broken twigs or footsteps? I don’t know…”

“If only he’d play his music again. That was how I found him last night-I just followed the sound of the music.” She explained.

“He wouldn’t make it that easy for us. Why would he stop to play on his harp? He’s trying to hide from people-he doesn’t want anyone to know where he went.”

“This is all my fault-“

“Anzi, don’t you dare start this again. I really hate yelling at you.” Reed warned, turning his back.

“You do it all the time, though.” She said. He sighed.

“Sometimes you just need to hear things, even if it hurts. You think I like seeing you upset?”

“No,” Anzi said, but then stopped. She thought she heard it for a moment. Yes, there it was again, a very faint chord, followed by a trail of pitches. It was Cain’s song…”Listen! Do you hear it?”

“Hear what?” Reed asked. She shushed him and bade him to talk softer. The melody drifted over them again, coming from far off somewhere in the woods.

“That song…its Cain-he’s leading us to him! He knows were trying to help him!” She exclaimed in a whisper. Her heart seemed so much lighter now-Cain knew that they were trying to help, no-he was asking for their help in his song. “If we follow it, we’ll find him.” She told Reed. He nodded in agreement and they ran off in the direction of the song, pushing through the smaller trees and shrubs that littered the forest.

----

From a tree not too far from where Reed and Anzi had been standing, Cain dared to glance around the trunk. It had worked-they would head in that direction towards the sound the music only to discover it was coming from nowhere. Just to be sure, he strung the strings again and directed the waves over back to the direction towards which he had sent them running, continuing the ghost tune. When he was sure they were gone, he began to head off in another direction, jumping from tree to tree, and manipulating sound waves created naturally by the forest life to make a solid step for himself in the air, just to make it easier to cross to a new branch. He didn’t want to fall and kill himself now.

He continued onward, rushing deeper and deeper into the forests and heading towards the north. He could easily get to the mountains now-he remembered passing by with the gypsies a few years ago when he was younger. He had only to make it out of the forest, and he would be home free without any worries.

He paused on a tree branch to check his bearings, when suddenly a sharp force cut itself into the side of his face. He had been punched! But by who? He didn’t get to see as he fell down off the tree and onto the ground. Luckily it hadn’t been a very high branch or he might’ve actually hurt himself. His assailant jumped down from the tree and pulled him up by the collar of his cape, and shook him a bit roughly.

“I figured as much,” A younger voice said quietly. Cain looked at his attacker and found a boy with disorderly black hair, and wheat colored eyes peeking out from beneath. “Anzi had mentioned that your magic was with sound, so it would’ve been easy for you to manipulate the music you created to come from another direction.”

“Who are you?” Cain asked, blue eyes narrow.

“I’m a friend of Anzina.” The boy responded. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Release me.” Cain demanded, but the boy refused. Another person approached-the snapping of twigs and flutter of a cape signaled this to Cain.

“Reed, stop!” Anzi demanded. Reed released Cain, who distanced himself from the other boy and brushed off his arms, which were smeared with dirt. Anzi looked at the young witch, but Cain only hid his eyes beneath his hat. “Cain, we were worried about you. A girl from you gypsy group told us that your master was looking for you because you had disappeared. Cain, he thinks you were involved in the fight and he’s going to hurt you!” She explained. Cain remained silent.

“Why are you running away? And why didn’t you want anyone to find you? You could’ve just returned to your master and then he wouldn’t have suspected you so much.” Reed interrogated him. Cain still remained silent.

“Cain, please…we want to help you. Your family is worried.” Anzi said.

“I know…” He responded at last. “But the witches…they need help too. I understand that much. I know of the conflict that’s going on right now.”

“Then why? Why are you running off by yourself? Cain, we can help you.” Anzi approached him, but he quickly took out his harp and strung his fingers deftly across the strings. As many musical tones echoed out, a force unlike Anzi had ever felt slammed into her and knocked her off her feet. She flew into a harmless bush and then collapsed on the ground. Reed turned to the witch and lunged at him, throwing another punch into his face. Cain staggered backwards, having braced himself a little for the blow.

“What the hell is the matter with you? Don’t you dare hurt Anzi or I’ll kill you!” Reed yelled.

“Reed, stop! Don’t hurt him!” Anzi begged from the ground. Reed turned back to her and watched as she slowly stood up again. “Cain…do you know about the heir of Escaline?” Cain raised an eyebrow.

“I know somewhat. There are rumors that the traitor princess Escaline had a child before her execution, and that this heir is some kind of hope for the witches of Fafviner. They say the fanatics would use the heir and put him on the throne to secure more power and rights for witches.” Cain rattled off like a history book. “Why?”

“Cain, you were right that I am a half witch, but remember when I said my parents were important? Well…I am the heir of Escaline.” Reed wore a disapproving look, but said nothing, but Cain gasped.

“That’s impossible.” He uttered.

“It’s true, Cain. I am Anzina Heckendate, the child of Princess Escaline and the witch Rydalin Es.” She told him, but he shook his head and then looked down at his harp briefly before looking back up at her, his blue eyes narrow.

“I killed the heir of Escaline.”

----