From the shadows came the same woman I had seen earlier in the day, the hawk-faced woman glared at me. A pair of wings shrouded her form like a cloak and she looked down on everyone in the room, standing over six feet tall. Her hair was a rich brown and rested gracefully on her shoulders, a small plume of feathers grew from the side of her head and jutted towards the back of her scalp, “You sure know how to keep a woman waiting, Scarlet,” She spoke slowly and carefully.
	“Release my jumpy assistant,” Madame Scarlet requested, “Please.”
	The griffonite woman scoffed and snapped her manicured fingers which released me from the spell, “This is your court wizard? Unable to even counter a simple paralysis spell?” She sounded wholly unimpressed.
	I looked at Madame Scarlet who seemed unperturbed by this. She shook her head, “It is easier to simply ask you to,” She explained with a little smile, “To whom do I make the acquaintance?”
	Mayor Buruz-Brakborn cleared her throat, “This is Miss Magnima A. Medea. A wizard from the big city out east!” I didn’t like how excited the mayor sounded. I glanced at Zarik who seemed to share my sentiment. He was currently writing down the conversation, I surmised. 
	“I was trained at the Georgian School for Casters and the Arts. Where did you learn, Scarlet?” The smugness that oozed from Magnima’s voice irked me. 
	Madame Scarlet frowned, “Fancy. I was taught by my master, Ser Diarion. I do have a certificate labeling me as a certified thaumaturge from Fairgarland Academy.”
	“A thaumaturge?” The witch scoffed, “What use does a glorified sanctioned wizard have as a court wizard?”
	Madame Scarlet looked hurt, “I may be a generalist, but I do much more than a sanctioned wizard. I am not using spells to run cabling or clean windows! I protect this town and its people. I may be a generalist on paper, but I am–”
	“And where are your other helpers? Is this fledgling wizard your apprentice?” She interrupted and her fierce eyes turned to me.
	The fox-witch glanced at me and then to the mayor, “She does not allocate enough funds to allow me an apprentice, assistant, and aide.”
	“Bah,” Mayor Buruz-Brakborn scoffed, “What’s the difference between them?”
	“For your scribe’s record,” Madame Scarlet looked over, “An apprentice is a learning wizard being taught by the court wizard. An assistant would be the one to take over on somewhat complicated magical tasks and an aide would take care of cleaning, cooking, chopping wood, and other mundane, menial tasks. Mister Cooper is great at all three.”
	“At least I–” I started.
	“If you say so,” The griffonite continued to huff and puff as if in complete disbelief, “This is what I was speaking to you about, Sarak,” She spoke to the mayor, “This town is untapped for industry. A mana salt harvesting factory, reopen the old dwarven mine, and expand logging, this town could grow immensely! On top of that, the magical creatures could bring in people from out of town.”
	I swallowed nervously. I knew that greedy look in Mayor Buruz-Brakborn’s eyes. I looked at my master as her once jolly face became more and more wary, “Mayor Buruz–”
	“Those are protected creatures, as are these woods,” Madame Scarlet firmly explained, interrupting me, “You know full well how delicate the logging operations are here. Do you even know what is going on in Logwash right now?” She looked straight at Magnima.
	Magnima scoffed, “Other than a desperate need of rebranding? I care not for the now, people such as Miss Buruz-Brakborn and I look to the future. We both see real estate, industry, a possible magic college, and dollar signs in all these untapped resources. Logwash will soon be called Goldwash should I work with your local government.”
	Confusion turned to an appalled gasp from Madame Scarlet’s lips, “Mayor Buruz-Brakborn, you know why the trees and land are the way they are! As your court wizard I cannot allow you to go through with the increased logging or poaching of magical animals! I agree a magic college sounds nice, but the only two casters in this town are myself and Chris– Mister Cooper, here. Such an investment would bring almost no returns. The mana production could work, but the mine is full of dangerous slime-beasts!”
	“Do you lack the skill to clear it out?” 
	“I k-know evocation, but combat with monsters was something I was never trained for. I cannot stand the pain put upon my summons when I throw them at threats. Mister Cooper and I have tried, but without Mayor Buruz-Brakborn giving us the funds to hire professionals, it would be impossible! There are simply too many!”
	“Professionals?” Magnima looked like she was stifling a laugh, “You should be professional enough as a court wizard to deal with such low level monsters,” She turned to the mayor, “Perhaps Scarlet isn’t fit to be your court wizard.”
	“I have my doubts…” Mayor Buruz-Brakborn was skimming through a small journal, “This town is poor. Without expanding our logging and reinvesting in mining, will we survive another two decades?”
	I found myself glaring at this woman and the Mayor. I leaned close to Madame Scarlet who was fidgeting uncomfortably, “You don’t need this. We should go,” My friend looked me in the eyes. For the first time in my life, I saw doubt within her. It made my heart ache painfully.
	“Perhaps now is the time,” Magnima looked down upon Madame Scarlet, “As it goes against the tradition of her people, Buruz-Brakborn here cannot fire a court wizard, but they can step down and be replaced. Scarlet, I am invoking the ancient wizarding rites of challenge,” Madame Scarlet turned pale, “With Buruz-Brakborn as our officiator, I challenge you for the office of court wizard of Logwash.”
	“Madame Scarlet,” I started, pleading with her.
	“I… Have to accept,” The fox-witch swallowed nervously.
	“Good. Mayor Buruz-Brakborn. Issue our first of five challenges,” The griffonite looked extra pleased and smug, her lips curling into a devilish smile.
	The dwarven woman was quick, “Whichever of you brings me the most heads from the mine-monsters will win this first bout.”	
	“So be it,” Magnima took her black cloak from a coat hanger and pulled it over her frame, making sure to keep her wings poking through the back. She left quickly, leaving Madame Scarlet to rub one hand’s thumb on the other’s palm. The Mayor looked at her expectantly.
	I looked at Zarik and gave a throat cutting motion, asking him to take what I would do next off the record. He nodded and put pen and paper down. I sighed and put a hand on my friend’s shoulder, “Are you alright, Madame?”
	She leaned on me, “I don’t know what to do,” She weakly whined.
	“Well, let’s pray she dies in the mines.”
	“Chris!” Madame Scarlet scolded.
	I shrugged unapologetically, “Mayor Buruz-Brakborn, I really cannot believe you are even humoring this. Madame Scarlet has been the court wizard for seven years now, she heals your son!”
	“You should have been here to hear some of the points she made, Christopher,” The dwarven woman shrugged me off, “Miss Magnima has a lot of plans for this town, mentioning her family bringing a lot of small towns out of poverty and bringing growth. Besides, does it matter what witch we have? It's not like Robin will have to leave town.”
	“I-I would…” She meekly refuted, “Ancient rites… a-and all…” Her voice was so weak and full of fear. I knew now wasn’t the time, but I wanted to hold her close like she did for me. My heart ached for her. She looked into my face and then down at her suddenly interesting shoes, “Perhaps I should start packing.”
	“Don’t throw in the towel so soon,” Zarik huffed in his deep voice, “I know your magic first hand. Mother doesn’t understand magic, she has no idea if Magnima is actually stronger. Nor did she ask about what Magnima knew about the Mark.”
	I nodded quickly, “More reason to help you win, Scarlet. We should prepare for what’s next then. What is your plan for the second task?”
	The Mayor pondered for a few moments, “Well, the roads need to be cleared. It's all going to freeze tonight.”
	“Just looking to get some free labor done?” I sighed at her, letting my distaste be known, “Fetch us when we’re ready for the second challenge."
	“Aye, so be it,” The Mayor dismissed us, uninterested in any of our opinions, “Zarik, start sorting this mail, would you?”
	Madame Scarlet trudged out of the office and to the elevator. I called it and stood against the wall, watching as Zarik closed his mother’s office doors. My friend kept fidgeting, rubbing the thumb of one hand onto the palm of the other again, “You’re going to draw blood, Scarlet. You’re horribly nervous,” I gently put my hands on her wrists.
	“N-no I’m not,” She replied, still digging a thumb claw into her hand.
	I pulled her hands apart gently, “Robin,” I invoked the privately used first name, “You always do that when nervous. Please, you don’t want to rub mana salt on that wound.”
	The elevator chimed as it arrived, beckoning us both in with its dim, yellow, overhead light as the door slid open. We stepped in after I released my friend. The door slid closed as I pressed the button for the first floor. Robin’s head was still pointed toward the floor as the elevator rumbled and creaked. Her face was blank, impossible to read, “Chris?” She quietly asked, as if she wasn’t sure I was still there.
	“What is it, Robin?” I matched her soft tone.
	“I am scared,” She murmured as she leaned into me.
	I nodded and put my arms on her back gently, “I am too. I’m definitely not voting for her this year,” I hissed.
	A tiny smile crossed Robin’s lips at my joke, “Same here,” It vanished quickly, “What do I do?”
	“You– We fight this. We need a plan for the street clearing.”
	She hugged me, her fingers scratching my cloak, “Thank you. Could you maybe…” Robin trailed off as her stomach growled.
	I found myself chuckling which she followed suit on, “Make lunch? That’s my job, isn’t it? I’ll make you your favorite.”
	The elevator stopped, prompting us to part and brush ourselves off. I used my wand to cast a quick spell that straightened out our clothes right before the door slid open with a groan. Without a word to the receptionists, Madame Scarlet and I made our way back to her cottage.

	I laid out the long strip of seaweed and laid out a layer of sushi rice with sesame seeds in it. Next I placed the filling on the rice, a spicy blend of crab meat and a bit of cream cheese. With a deep breath, I carefully rolled the sushi to shape with the bamboo mat. I nodded before cutting the long roll into multiple half inch thick sushi rolls. I laid half of them on a square plate and put a squiggly line of sriracha and mayo mixed together over them. Next was the salmon nigiri I had prepared just for her. I put all six pieces on her plate with the eight crab rolls. I poured soy sauce into a small square bowl and placed a dollop of wasabi on both plates and a few flakes of ginger on the plate for Robin. I brought the witch’s meal to her workspace, “Just how you like it,” I jested as I set it next to her. She was sitting on a high stool with two books floating before her. I took some dirty dishes and discarded materials back to the kitchen before opening a chilled wine cabinet. I retrieved a blue bottle and undid the cork, pouring a tall glass and only a few sips in a second. Feeling fancy, I waved my wand and took up the full glass in a magicked, ghostly hand that carefully carried it to the witch. As it got close, Robin plucked it from the air and tilted the glass in a circular motion to mix up the dark bluish mana wine.
	She looked back at me and smiled wearily, “Thank you, my dear apprentice.”
	“Oh, are we still using our work titles?” I brought my own meal of california rolls and crab rolls over along with a bit of wine, “I thought we were casual during meals.” 
	“Sorry,” She smiled, picked up the chopsticks, and dabbed a nigiri in soy sauce. She held a hand under the sushi as she brought it to her lips. Her smile widened as soon as she put the food in her mouth, “You did a wonderful job, once again.”
	“I’m glad. I’ve been planning this lunch for a few days. I’m really glad you bought that magic fresh box, it makes working with sushi fish really easy,” I struggled with the chopsticks as always, but I managed to put a spicy crab roll in my mouth. It was a little too hot for me, but Robin liked it that way.
	“I can’t believe you use a magic fridge meant for keeping volatile reagents without spoiling for fish,” My friend couldn’t help but laugh, “Not like my master used it for the intended purpose either. The Perfect Preservation Pack by Magic Goods,” She mimicked the commercials we had always seen, “What was their slogan?”
	“Which one, ‘make everyday magical,’ or ‘Pack it away for later?’” I quoted, “Your master kept plums fresh year round in there, yeah?”
	“He did. Loved them more than candy,” She reminisced before turning her mouth into a frown, “I wish Ser Diarion could have stayed. But–” She froze and looked over to me.
	“I’ve told you, Robin. I don’t hate him,” I assured her, “My dad was going to go one way or the other. Never took his Mark seriously. It wasn’t anyone's fault for his passing. I blame mom more for leaving town afterward. Your master took it so hard, he really shouldn’t have. You still talk, right?”
	“Yes, Diarion writes often. He wanted to go to the conference that I was at but could not make it,” Robin sighed, “It's not fair. I got magic, my family, this position… Why did fate have to curse you?”
	“Enough of that,” I urged, “Your family took me in. Me working for you is the least I can do to repay that kindness. Speaking of, did you visit your parents after returning?”
	“N-not yet.”
	“After you win this challenge, we will,” I suggested. I checked my notebook, “Okay, so. Clearing snow. What are your ideas thus far?”
	Robin ate a bit more before calling a spellbook to her, “Use evocation to bring some shovels to life, summon shovels for Iris and the wolves… I can’t use a big enough fire blast to clear every road. That would drain me much too quickly.”
	“Fire might be the fastest, though the wolves and Iris using shovels would be adorable. Your ravens could drop fire potions.”
	“MUCH too dangerous. But…” She pushed her plate aside for a moment. With the wave of her hand, a cabinet opened and she brought out a mason jar. She took a piece of charcoal out. Her staff was summoned from the air. Magical words came from her mouth as her incantation began. She drew a small circle in the air with a golden pen and summoned forth the flames of another realm. Within moments the charcoal was alight and tossed onto the table where it grew flaming appendages made of magical energy. Other than two simple eyes, it was difficult to tell if it was sentient at all, “How is this?” She stroked her chin.
	“Cute little fella,” I complimented, “But will that be enough?”
	A mischievous smile spread across Robin’s lips, “Just wait and see, my dear apprentice. This would be a good learning opportunity if I was not forced to work alone on this.”
	I sighed, “I see. I have complete faith in you, Robin– Madame Scarlet,” I corrected. The two of us chuckled at one another before going back to eating. 

	Time passed. I worked on my duties as Robin continued to prepare a few spells. Dishes were washed, trash was taken out, and I worked on some meal prep for the week. I watched Robin work, her red-furred tail tended to swish back and forth when she was thinking or happy. It was cute, very cute. I had always thought it was. Ever since we were young, I had been infatuated with her. 
	‘Just like you practiced, apprentice Robin,’ I heard Ser Diarion’s voice in my mind.
	In my mind, I was laying on my back, my head propped up on a couch pillow. I was twitching anxiously as my heart was beating uncomfortably. The rhythm was off and my fear was making it worse. I felt weak. The only thing that had kept me calm was that my friend Robin was there, she was thirteen and I was eleven at the time. Her big red eyes looked down at my bare chest where my Mark swirled and pulsed, ‘Understood,’ The apprentice witch began to recant an incantation, each word eased a bit of the pain until it was totally gone and I was put at ease, ‘Are you feeling better, Chris?’ The worried tone was unbefitting of a wizard. I just nodded and tried to control my breathing. One of her hands sat gently on my chest, making sure my Mark and heart felt as they should. The fur was warm on my clammy chest. Without a thought I put my hand on hers, ‘Can he still play sports, master?’
	The old wizard’s lips were hidden behind a big, bushy, black beard, ‘I fear he may not. We shall see in time. I will write a note that you need to miss practice, Chris. We will perform check-ups until you feel well enough to participate.’
	I looked away from the wizard and up at the fox woman. She was wearing a simple cherry red cloak that was tied at the waist by a brown belt. Her fox ears twitched as we stared at one another, ‘Are you okay?’ She had asked.
	‘I’m cold,’ I whispered as the elder wizard turned to his notes.
	There was a frown on her face as she looked at my Mark. She waved her hand in a beckoning motion to her side and summoned a pen coated in silver to herself. I stayed as still as I could as she started to mark down runes on my chest. Ser Diarion watched her intently, nodding along the entire time, ‘Change the t’yool to g’laiz, Robin,’ He advised. Robin scratched off the rune and drew it again. She had drawn another half crescent around my Mark, making two full circles, just like my dad had, ‘Excellent, you have a knack for this, truely.’
	‘I have been training hard.’
	I could tell the wizard was smiling under his bushy beard, ‘For your friend here?’
	Robin nodded as she helped me tie a bag of magical materials to my chest with a soft ribbon that went around my body, ‘If I’m going to be the one taking care of him when you leave, Ser Diarion, I have to work hard. Chris, are you feeling better?’
	I nodded and sat up, ‘A bit,’ It must have been obvious to her I was still bummed out since she put her hand on my shoulder. I sighed but was glad my friend was here, ‘I guess I’ll be missing the track meet next week.’
	‘Aye, you will, boy,’ Diarion sighed, ‘Take it easy, will you? Robin, why not take a break for today and take your friend home. Spend a bit of time with him, perhaps?’
	Her tail swished, ‘Truly? I will, if that is your order. Ready to go, Chris?’
	I nodded and put my shirt back on before being handed a cloak to wear in the chilly weather as I was still in my gym clothes.

	“Chris?” Robin was standing next to me now. Her hand gently shook my shoulder, “Are you well?” I had been suddenly roused from my thoughts.
	“Just reminiscing, friend,” I gave her a weak smile as I finished the small meals I had put together for the week. Light lunches for Robin that she could just pull out of the fridge or pack and eat. 
	After her eyes scanned the containers, she put on a mock frown, “No sushi?”
	“That stuff’s hard to make. Consider it a treat when I do make it,” I teased.
	She chuckled and put a hand atop my head again, gently ruffling my hair, “Thank you for your hard work.”
	I nodded, my heart fluttering again and my face turning red, “Well, it's my job after all,” I grunted and clutched my chest again. 
	Robin made an annoyed grunt before grabbing the hem of my shirt and pulling it over my head, blinding me as a claw traced the runes around my Mark, “You should have reminded me about this.”
	“I would have, but we’re busy! I know my limits,” I replied. I knew better than to stop her or fight with her. The sharp claws digging into my flesh told me to keep still.
	“Hush, you foolish boy,” She scolded me as she began to redraw a few of the runes. The knocker on the door pounded. Madame Scarlet released me, letting me quickly pull my shirt back down. After a moment, she put her fancy hat back on and brushed off her coat, “We are not done yet,” Her eyes leered at me, sending a shiver down my spine. Her long strides brought her to the front door, each step clacking her claws and heel on the wooden floor. She pulled the handle and Magnima pushed her way in. Her cloak was damp with ooze and some of her feathers were clumped together with sticky slime, “Here to insult my workspace?”
	“No,” The hawk woman scanned the room, “I am surprised, truly. It looks like you do a lot of work here.”
	“Uh, thanks,” Madame Scarlet frowned as her eyes darted to me. I shrugged, “What are we to do next?” She asked.
	Mayor Buruz-Brakborn entered through the front door now wrapped in a puffy, beige jacket. She was dusted with snow, “Ahem,” She cleared her throat and her son got ready to write down whatever she was about to say, “The first of these challenges goes to Miss Magnima,” She declared, “For the second, you both will be cleaning snow from our roads before they get dangerous.”
	Magnima rolled her eyes and Madame Scarlet nodded slowly. Despite that, she looked just as worried and nervous as before. The mayor silently left. With a deep breath, my friend took up her materials. I could only offer her a small and reassuring smile when she glanced at me. She smiled back and put her coat and hat on.

	In town, the sun was low in the sky. Its bright yellows that streamed through the clouds were now oranges and cast purple highlights across the large, darker clouds. The sunset would have been pretty if my anxiety filled mind wasn’t focused on the situation at hand. I tried to be as confident as I could in Madame Scarlet, but worry was always creeping into my thoughts. If Magnima had beaten the slimes in the mine, or at least a few of them, she was stronger than I would have liked.
	The griffonite woman looked as smug and full of herself as always. I was starting to hate the way she looked down on everyone. I tried to ignore her and focus on Madame Scarlet. I stood next to her as she gripped her staff with both hands. She was thankfully not digging her claws into her own hands now. I wanted nothing more than to comfort her, but I couldn’t embarrass her now. Every time she looked over to me, I tried to put on my strongest, most confident face– as pathetic as it still probably looked. Madame Scarlet still chuckled or smirked at me.
	“Alright!” The dwarvish mayor nodded at the two contestants. The sheriffs had cordoned off a few roads. Gawkers stood on the sidewalks as children played in the snow in the parks, “So, the goal is to see how much road the two of you can clear with your magic. Scarlet, you will work on the left half of main street, and Magnima on the right. At the other end, you’ll go your separate ways at the T-intersection down to the end. Got it?”
	Magnima sighed, “My talents are wasted on this.”
	“I am ready,” Madame Scarlet began to pull materials from within her coat. From her bag she brought out a golden, shimmering pen. I saw the smoldering stone in her hand and tilted my head curiously. 
	“Chris!” Buruz-Brakborn shouted, “Get out of the road!” She waved me over. With a disgruntled groan, I graciously left Madame scarlet alone at the T-intersection, “Begin!” The dwarven woman shouted.
	Magnima uttered a few magic words and brought her hands around a floating crystal ball. The ball glowed a bright orange before spraying a stream of flames into the snow. Steam hissed and the fire roared as it slowly melted the few inches of compacted snow. The gawking people chattered amongst themselves in awe of the display. My eyes turned to Madame Scarlet as she finished her spell. It was an elemental gate, drawn on the air and fabric of reality. Orange, shimmering shapes formed a circular gate with a nine pointed star within it creating a gate with nine sides, a nonagon, as she would tell me. Scarlet hummed to herself as she placed the stone in the center. It began to rumble as she added a few runes to the air around it. She summoned her staff. Magnima was only about twenty feet down the street, cursing to herself. Madame scarlet let loose her summons with a loud power-word.
	With a rumbling power, the portal opened. From where I stood, I saw between realities. The ever sunny Onyx Sands came into view. Black dunes and tall spires of obsidian stretched as far as I could see through the little portal. Black sand poured through the portal as Madame Scarlet adjusted the size to cover her part of the road. It sizzled and crackled as it struck the snow, “Rise!” My friend shouted, commanding the steaming sand to move into vaguely humanoid, ooze-like shapes that began to trudge across the road. Four of them stomped and groaned as they began to trudge and fall over themselves as they melted all the snow in their path. The ever blisteringly hot sand made quick work of the snow. The four quickly passed Magnima who stopped in her tracks at the sight. Madame Scarlet chased after them after closing the portal. It was hardly a contest as she quickly cleared her section then doubled back to finish up Magnima’s part. The hawk woman glared and stepped off the road, her arms folded beneath her crossed wings. Everyone was gawking at Madame Scarlet’s work. 
	Soon she was headed back towards us. With another wave of her staff, an urn made of brown clay appeared in a flash of smoke. I hurried to her, catching the urn as she moved it towards me. Another wave of her staff picked up all the sand in a dust cloud and forced it all down into the magicked pot. A few specks of sand got on my hands, making me grit my teeth as the scalding hot sand began to burn my skin. As soon as the sand was collected, I put the urn down and dusted my hands off into it, “Excellent job, apprentice,” Madame Scarlet quietly praised.
	I shook my head, “You did all the work,” I chuckled, “You were amazing, opening that portal to those unholy sands and all.”
	“It was the only place I could think to get so much hot material without it dying in the sand,” She blushed and gave me a little smile.
	Magnima and the two dwarves approached us as I took up the urn. It was warm to the touch and I ran my finger over the line of silver runes around the rim. Mayor Buruz-Brakborn clasped her hands together, definitely pleased, “Wonderful, Scarlet. Can you do that again?”
	“Only if I am still your court wizard,” My friend replied.
	“Bah, we’ll see,” The mayor huffed. Her son kept writing everything down, “Okay, the third task… Over here,” The Mayor led us to a nearby park. It was an almost barren park, only a thin concrete path and a pair of trees was between two lesser used roads, main street, and a pizza place, “These trees need to go. One for each of you, get on it. Uh, whoever chops theirs first, will win.”
	“Mayor Buruz-Brakborn!” Madame Scarlet’s voice could hardly hide her anger, “Those are gold briars!”
	“Yes, yes, ugly trees with shimmering leaves and bark covered in thorns. They’re dangerous, I think we could put a skate park here, kids love those.”
	The hair on the fox-witch’s tail stood straight up, puffing out as she got more upset, “A skate park!? Those are old world trees! There are very few of them alive in this world! We can’t just–”
	With a single motion, Magnima sliced through her tree. Everyone was buffeted by strong air as the tree creaked and started to fall over. With simply a wave of her hand, the tree was lifted and gently set aside. As if to spite the already upset fox-witch, she did it again, sending heavy wind over us. Mayor Buruz-Brakborn had to hold her coat and her son nearly lost his write pad. My hood was blown off whilst Madame Scarlet grabbed the brim of her hat. The tree was set next to the other before the twin trees’ roots were pulled from the ground as well, “Easy,” Magnima put a fake smile on, “Industry is my specialty. Shall I pull precious metals from the ground next?”
	While the Mayor stroked her chin, I noticed how shook my friend was. I jumped in, “It’s late. Can we move this to tomorrow morning? Maybe come up with a challenge that actually helps Logwash?” I tried to think quickly, “Maybe Master Goldfrey’s problem?”
	“I’ll speak to the dwarf and see if I should sic the wizards upon the problem,” She nodded, “Until then, Magnima, you should be able to find room at the motel. I’ll collect you both around noon.”
	“Understood,” The hawk woman left without another word, out into the darkness of the late evening. 
	With a flickering and a buzzing noise, the streetlights came on around us. I looked at Madame Scarlet as I conjured a small light on my wand, “Scarlet?” I called for her quietly. Her gaze was transfixed on where the twin gold briars once stood, now completely destroyed by the other witch’s callous action, “Come on, it's time to go…” Still no response from her. I sighed and put my pinkies in my mouth. I took a deep breath before whistling as loud as I could. It only took a few short minutes before Iris was barreling down the street to us. Madame Scarlet was kneeling down by where the trees had been uprooted, “There’s nothing we can do,” I whispered as I knelt down with her.
	“I know,” She rubbed her eyes, “All I can do is…” She slowly walked to the downed trees and examined the leaf-less, twisting branches. She used her staff to pluck a few long branches. 
	She used her magic to bundle them up and put them in the sleigh. Iris nudged the sad fox girl with a low whine. Madame Scarlet sighed and hugged the beast around its big neck. I patted her on the back, the two of us were alone in the dark streets, “Anything you want for dinner?” I asked awkwardly as I got in the sleigh and took the reins. I had so many things I wanted to say, too many words I couldn’t find. I found myself stupidly asking the question like it was business as usual as her aide, but I felt the need to get her mind off of what we had just witnessed, “I-I picked out the perfect cut of fish earlier today.”
	Madame Scarlet got in next to me and pulled her hat off, “I don’t know…”
	I frowned and gave the reins a tug, “Come on, Iris,” The bear huffed and started to trot down the street. We took main street going north and even though it was now cleared, the floating sleigh easily rode over it. I stopped at a red light, despite no one being around. The bright, crimson glow washed over the two of us, “I’m sorry we couldn’t do anything for those trees,” My friend was quiet, her ears and tail both drooped as she slumped back in her seat. I wished I could have said something to cheer her up, but I had no idea how. I kept driving Iris slowly across town, taking her around horses and away from children who were out with their parents. I kept opening my mouth and taking in a gulp of the frigid, late evening air. Words came to mind but none would come from my voice box. A squeak maybe, but even that didn’t perturb Robin. The sun was nearly gone now. I left the town behind us as Iris clambered into the woods.	

	We arrived at home soon enough, though no words were exchanged even as I helped her step out of the sleigh. Simply a nod of thanks. We remained silent even as we entered her house and I got started on dinner. More seafood, tilapia, this time. I started off baking it with oil and butter. I had a zesty sauce already prepared with lime and garlic. I glanced over at Robin as I chopped cilantro and cabbage before I grated a sweet, soft cheese to put atop it. The witch sat silently on her disused couch. She had pulled off her coat and hat and tossed them both aside. I focused on my work, wondering what to do. Lastly, I toasted the tortillas and chopped up the fish as soon as I brought it out of the oven. I quickly plated the food and brought the quartet of tacos over, “Another favorite of yours,” I put on a smile before returning to the kitchen for another glass of mana wine for her. I was just as quick as I brought the drink back to her. Robin hadn’t touched her food at all, “Come on, you love fish,” I urged, “I made them just how you like.”
	“I am not hungry. Your cooking will go to waste,” She mumbled.
	“Robin, please, you need to eat. That portal spell couldn’t have been easy to use. You need the mana for tomorrow,” I pleaded as I sat with her.
	As I put my hand on her shoulder, she shrugged me off and scooted a bit further from me. I held my breath and tried not to make a sound as my heartache turned to real, physical pain, “I have no faith in my ability to beat these following two challenges. Even if we are after the unicorn for the fourth challenge, how will I win the final challenge?” I had nothing to say, I couldn’t be sure what the mayor would pick for the next two challenges of this ridiculous duel, “Perhaps I should begin packing. It will make the defeat less sour.”
	“You can’t leave… You can’t lose,” I squeaked, trying my best to hold back my emotions, “You’re all I have left, Robin,” I slumped over and put my hands in my lap. I could only stare down at them, “You know I can’t go with you if you leave, Robin. The Mark will end me before I get far. You can’t give up. If not for me, then for everyone in Logwash with the Mark.”
	Robin looked at me. I could hardly discern her emotional state. I only knew it wasn’t good, “You’re dismissed for the evening, Chris.”
	I took a step back, trying to keep a stoic look on my face. I couldn’t tell if I had given her the hint of betrayal I felt, and I didn’t bother to look. I could have argued with her that I didn’t want that woman touching me or my Mark, I could have argued that Logwash would be in ruin by the year’s end and that the home she loved would be unrecognizable, but I didn’t say any of that. I simply nodded and turned away, throwing the front door open and stepping out into the snow. I trudged away, passing by the wolves and bear, quickly giving each that approached me a scratch or two behind the ears. Downtrodden and cold, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: the need for a drink. I pulled my cloak tightly around myself and walked into the dark woods, back toward town. I would make a stop at the bar before home.