12.5

[fairytaleknight]

Princess Kraehe has kidnapped Mytho, told Fakir and Duck all about it, delivered a string of threats and insults and vanished in a cloud of raven feathers.

The meadow by the gazebo seems unnaturally quiet now that the crow-princess is gone. Duck and Fakir stare at each other. What now?Then the silence is broken by a hand-organ playing "Music of

Comments

[reallyaduck]

"Oh - Miss Edel," Duck says, just as usual when she hears the music, but her voice is lacking in its usual cheerful energy.

Rue . . . how can Rue be my enemy? We're friends!

- Miss Edel is her friend too, she reminds herself. A helpful friend.

"Miss Edel!" she calls, more vigorously, and starts heading in her direction.

[authorsbypass]

Edel doesn't blink, nor smile at the figures running towards her. She simply stands, winding her barrel organ on to the end of the phrase.

(And this time, don't start taking an interest in the hearts of humans!)

"Water," she says, beginning to turn, "is drawn to fire. Fire, to darkness. Darkness, to silence."

"Come. Let us go."

[fairytaleknight]

Fakir has not gotten enough sleep for this.

"What does that even mean? And where are we going?"

[authorsbypass]

"Where you must go," Edel murmurs, as if this is a perfectly helpful and sufficient answer, and walks past him.

Her heels click demurely against cobblestones, the tempo steady and unhurried.