16

"Do you think it will work?" Calliope asked Mido as she watched him poke at the fire.

"Do I think what will work?" he said, not looking up. Her soft voice startled him for a moment. She had been quiet through most of the day.

"This plan of yours. Do you really think the king won't hang you all for this?"

Mido let the stick fall to the ground. He let his elbows rest on his thighs, his fingers interlaced. He rolled his foot over a small rock.

"I don't know," he said. He kicked the rock and watched it bounce into the flames. "He's a good man," he added with a shrug, as if to reassure her safety. He pinched his lips together in an attempt to be nice as Maria had asked of him, but he couldn't help but feel wrong letting the witch live in his presence.

At that moment, three of Scarletta's Nequam dove through the treetops, hurling themselves towards Calliope. She threw herself onto the ground, out of their path. Mido sprang to his feet, drew his sword and yelled to the others. Calliope pushed herself off the ground and threw her arms out, but nothing happened. She cursed under her breath; she was still weak from the last attack, and she could feel her magic diminishing. Her eyes darted, assessing the situation. She watched as Mido and Ian evaded the attacking Nequam. They swung their swords at their attackers, but the Nequam were quick to dodge each strike.

Maria's cries broke through the sounds of the battle as the Nequam swarmed around her. She gripped a dagger with both hands, pointing it at her enemies; the dagger shook in her hands. The Nequam hissed and laughed as they inched their way closer to their victim. Ian spun around on his heels when he heard Maria's panicked cries and hurried to her and he lunged at the Nequam, letting his sword come down against them and clearing them away from the woman. He pulled Maria close to him, raising his sword in defense.

Calliope's helpless gaze met Mido's as they fought off the Nequam one by one. A dark figure caught her attention and she spun to see a Nequam throw himself at her. She was quick to dodge, rolling on the ground and throwing an arm out before her, hoping to muster up one last spell, but nothing happened. The Nequam threw himself on top of her, pinning her to the ground. Calliope squirmed and kicked and managed to throw the Nequam off of her. She scrambled to her feet just as the Nequam attacked her once more, his claws tearing across her chest.

Calliope stumbled backwards in surprise and fell to her knees. She clutched at her chest. But the marks were clean and were quick to heal, disappearing almost as soon as they appeared. The Nequam ran to her once more, but a figure jumped in its path, blocking its target. Calliope looked up and watched as Mido thrust a sword at the Nequam, catching it off guard. He swung his sword across the Nequam and watched as its head rolled across the forest floor.

Mido turned to Calliope and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to her feet. Despite the fact that the villagers outnumbered the Nequam, Scarletta's goons were much stronger. Mido caught her helpless gaze and yelled his order to retreat. He grabbed her wrist and they ran towards the horses with the rest of their fellowship following close behind. They hurried to mount, swinging their weapons at the approaching attackers. Horses reared and kicked as the Nequam approached. Mido kicked his horse into a gallop, breaking away from the fight. They led the villagers through the forest, hooves thundering, faster and faster until they finally outran the Nequam. They galloped through the trees and brush and didn't stop until nightfall.

Mido pulled the reins, slowing his horse as they reached an old, abandoned house in the midst of the forest. He dismounted, then turned to help Calliope down. They examined the area before settling for the night. Maria hurried to their side, looking the witch over.

"Are ya okay?" she asked. "I saw that thing attack ya."

Calliope nodded. "I'm fine," she muttered, crossing her arms in an attempt to hide her healed skin. Maria grabbed at her wrists and examined the tears on her dress. She peered at the skin, unmarked by an attack.

"I'da sworn you were hurt," she said.

"I was," Calliope muttered. "I'm fine."

"She's a witch," Mido chimed in. "What did you expect? Nothing can kill a witch."

"Is 'at so?" Maria asked, her eyes curious.

Calliope shook her head. "Fire can kill us, as you know."

Maria cleared her throat. "Yes, course."

"Or if we're beheaded," Calliope added.

"Good to know," Mido said.

Maria spun on her heels and glared at him.

"Kidding," he mumbled, throwing his arms in the air.

Maria turned back to the witch. "Well, I'm glad to see ya not hurt, Hunnie. We need ya on our side."

Maria headed inside the old hut as the villagers took shelter for the night. She looked over the injured and barked orders for water and bandages. Mido joined Ian's side and the two stood just outside the old hut. Mido crossed his arms and looked out into the forest.

"We can't keep running," Ian said.

"King Sloan will find us," Mido assured him. "It's only a matter of time. And we will get to Scarletta and end this. Calliope will help us."

"She's too weak. She couldn't even use her powers. I watched her struggle during that last attack."

"She just needs her rest."

"We know nothing about her or her abilities, Mido."

"We'll have an entire army."

"An army of mortals," Ian reminded him.

"What happened to owing her your life?" Mido turned to him, his eyes furious. "Dammit, Ian, you got us into this."

"I know. But I didn't think she would just lose her powers like this."

"Let her rest," Mido repeated, walking away from him. Ian turned towards Calliope, watching her with concern written on his face. Calliope pretended not to notice. She preoccupied herself with an ant that walked across her path. She nudged at it with the toe of her boot. They were losing hope in her. Maybe they were starting to realize they were wrong. She didn't want to let them down, but their future did not look promising.

She sat on the ground, her arms around her knees. She sensed Mido's gaze on her and turned to see him leaning against the outside wall of the house. She stood but said nothing.

"My magic won't return," she mumbled, answering the question he was surely thinking.

Mido said nothing, his lips pinched together. He began to feel like an idiot for trusting Ian's decision to help the witch. Without her magic to help them, they would not stand a chance against Scarletta.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more use," Calliope continued. "I'm sorry you wasted your time."

Mido let his gaze shift to the Earthy floor. His head bobbed in a slow nod, his mind elsewhere. "You didn't waste our time," he said, meeting her gaze. "Things happen. We'll figure this out."

Calliope studied him, careful not to meet his gaze. He didn't seem to believe his own words. She sighed, sick of feeling helpless. "I'll help in any way I can," she said.

"I know," he said. He forced a crooked smile. "Relax for now while you can." He turned and left her alone.

*****

Mallius entered the castle where Scarletta waited, anxious for good news. Her Nequam had just returned with word on Calliope's whereabouts.

"Some men have reported to Sloan. They have Calliope. They have convinced the king that she is on their side. Sloan's army is on their way here as we speak to join with Calliope and the fellowship that protects her."

Scarletta laughed. "That king will have no idea what hit him," she said. "Calliope will not get away with this. Mallius, gather the troops. We're going to get Calliope." She opened a cabinet and revealed a container of liquid. She swirled it and placed it on a table. "I have just the fix for that traitor of a witch. She will destroy that kingdom once and for all."