My thumb’s claw pressed painfully into the palm of my other hand as I watched Chris go. What was that look on his face? Disdain? Disappointment? Betrayal? Whatever it was, that silent look he gave me over his shoulder made my heart ache. The smell of the dinner he made lingered and permeated over the entire building. A rumbling came from my stomach before I sighed heavily and picked up one of the tacos. They weren’t perfect, but still they were made with Chris’ loving touch. I found myself eating all of it, despite being sure I wouldn’t.
	Taking up the wine, I leaned back in my seat and sipped on it slowly. The searing, painful feeling of how Chris had looked at me lingered in my heart and mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being a failure in his eyes, was I no better than Magnima now? Had this hardship made me uncaring and cold? I wondered. A deep sigh came from my lips. Sanguine now wet my palm, I had drawn blood like he had always warned me. A quick spell, a scarcely used necromancy, generated a dark flesh over my wounded hand, contrasting the normally pinkish tone of what he once referred to, childishly, as ‘beans.’ Whilst I felt downtrodden and upset about this challenge I had been dragged into, the biggest source of pain was definitely from Chris. Was he right? I found myself thinking. What would happen if I were forced to leave? I feared for his well-being, I worried what I might do without him, what horrid fate I might subject him to with my surrendering of my position as Court Wizard. Would he wither away as I might? Or would he survive with the help of that malcontent harlot and come to resent me? It was a paralyzing thought.
	Outside in the snow, my summons were sitting at the front door. Every single one of them anxiously waited for me to do something. It was just as obvious to them that our friend was upset. They were just as connected to him as I was to them, so they knew both of us were not doing well. With the wave of my hand, I pulled the front door open with a magical force. The wolves and ravens were first, each one finding somewhere to sit or roost near me. Iris was last in, squeezing her way through the front door. The wolves put their heads on the couch or my lap and Iris put her big bear head on my chest, “I know, girl,” My voice came out as a pitiful whimper as I pet the fur and feathers of the beasts around me. In my heart I knew what they were telling me, their silent eyes shimmering with tears yet to fall. I knew, because they were a better part of me that felt as I did, “I need to make this right with him. I have to win for him,” I sighed heavily, “I just pray he forgives me. I shall retire early for the night and seek him out tomorrow.”

	I awoke to the golden orb floating above my nightstand. It glowed a gentle light, like the sun peaking over the horizon that gradually got brighter until my eyes were open. I touched it, causing it to gently float back down onto a little metal holder for it as the light died down. A small spark of orange remained to brighten the room for me until I waved my hand to turn on the yellow ceiling fan lights. It was seven in the morning. With a deep breath, I forced the worry and anxiety out of my mind. My room was small but quite clean due to Chris’ effort. A queen bed with a puffy down comforter and a quartet of foam filled pillows was where I lay my head. Getting up quickly, I leaned over my wide dresser, pushed my window open, and summoned Reginald to me as the brisk winter morning air floated into my home. I quickly penned a note asking Chris to come right away, that we had to prepare for the day, and stuffed the small paper into the raven’s little carrying bag. He flew off with a loud squawk. Rather than taking a bath, I used my magic to cast a freshening spell on myself that removed oils and grime from my skin and hair. While I considered draping a more formal wizarding cloak across my body, I wanted to wear something somewhat more stylish. A pair of tight fitting shorts in gray that I was able to pass my bushy tail through. They stopped just above my furred thighs. A plain shirt and a light sweater on my torso, the sweater was a vibrant orange that I felt complimented my hair. Lastly was my crimson peacoat with silver buttons, matching the silver underside of my fancy crimson witch hat of choice. If– No, when I won, I wanted to look great doing it for the inevitable pictures that would be taken, I couldn't let the rain from yesterday sour the sunshine today. Down the stairs I went into my work space. I knew it was a mess, but I did not have the time to clean it. Perhaps I would have Chris do so soon, or better yet, I could summon a new companion to take over that task as part of my apology, perhaps binding and elemental to the house would help. Another idea was to summon a companion for him, I knew he was close with the wolves and had made comments about making one to keep him company. He liked tigers, maybe a beautiful silver tiger would do? 
	I was forced to push this from my mind for now, I had work to do. Firstly was the tracking spells, I slowly worked with a mortar and pestle as I ground up the materials for them. Blue, shimmering mana salt, magical and foul smelling herbs, a touch of a dire hog’s blood, and fur from an animal with an excellent nose– a bloodhound in this case. The foul paste was scooped into a vial, one after the other. I had enough for three casts of the tracking spell. Next was a spell that would help the unicorn move, should the mayor demand it be uprooted. Mana salt again, the bluish bark of a silver pine, berries, and a pinch of a fey realm herb that was red and dried. One single cast in a small, leather pouch that I put in my side bag. What about the fifth challenge? I perused my spell book. Would it be a combat challenge? I needed some fireballs, a short blink, maybe some shields. Magnima was a knowledgeable wizard, but was she trained in dueling? It would be a grueling battle either way. I worked on restocking my personal spell component pouch. It was easy enough to prepare, the pouch was made of a brown leather and sat within my coat. Three distinct pouches were on it, one was only mana salt, the basis for almost all spells, the next had a few herbs, fire, ice, poison, and even caustic based magical herbs that allowed me to cast numerous spells. The last was a mess, as always. One or two each of things like bones, fur, bark, thorns, vines, and even a bit of dung in a glass vial. I put the vials I had made into the bandolier-like slots on the side and tied the little bag onto the dangling strips of leather on the other side.
	I flipped through some more pages, “Chris, could you prepare some tea for me?” I called as a spot of fatigue crept in.
	I waited for a few seconds, waiting for him to respond.
	“Chris?” I called again. I stood and checked the kitchen. He was not there, “Ah, he must be chopping wood,” The house was chilly, afterall. The fire was low as usual. He must have slipped in and back out, I told myself. Outside, I found my familiars playing in the ice and snow. Reginald was not amongst them. Neither was Chris. I summoned my staff, making it appear in a cloud of silvery sparks, “Chris never came here, did he?” I surmised. The wolves and Iris all bowed their heads. He had not, they silently replied. I waved my staff in the air as I pulled a handled mirror from my bag. The brown, and smooth wood was warm in my hands as I casted a spell to see through Reginald’s eyes. The mirror’s surface shimmered like a pool of water being disturbed by having a rock tossed into it. I could see through Reginald’s vision now. He shook himself as I took hold and pushed his vision into Chris’s apartment. Reginald was sitting on the small pole outside of Chris’s window. Reginald tapped the window and squawked, trying to get the boy’s attention. There was very little movement in the dark and messy room. Reginald tapped a few more times before turning to the nearby tree and tearing an icy stick off. He used his beak to turn one side into a sharp point that he was able to wiggle into the tiniest crack and force it aside. It was enough for Reginald to stick his beak in, push the window open, and slip into the room. 
	The raven cawed a few more times. Nothing moved still. Chris was not in the bed, nor was the bathroom light on. Reginald spread his wings and jumped to the floor. Cawing and walking, the raven checked the main room where a kitchenette and couch were. The room was still and silent, “Chris must have left,” I frowned, “Or never made it home…” I worried aloud. I recalled Reginald, not before telling him to close the window. I put the mirror away and waved my hand. Two other ravens came to me, “Find Chris,” I ordered and sent them away into the foggy late morning cold. Noon was approaching quickly. I did not have the time to prepare for the last two challenges and chase my friend. I could only hope the ravens would convince him to come home.

	It didn’t take long for the ravens to spot Chris with all three searching. Their mental connection to me cried out as they circled the boy from high in the air. Looking through the mirror, he seemed to be wandering around town. From their view, it looked like he went into Mister Swiftfoots little bakery for something to eat, presumably. I put down the last few bites of my chicken salad and picked up my bags. I hoped I had the time to find him before Mayor Buruz-Brakborn came knocking and issued our fourth challenge. I opened my door and stood face-to-face with Buruz-Brakborn, her son, and Magnima, much to my chagrin. With every ounce of power within my form I withheld a groan and a fireball spell whilst putting on a little smile, “Good morning, all,” I greeted quickly.
	“Yes, yes,” Mayor Buruz-Brakborn looked uncharacteristically disheveled, “It certainly is a morning.”
	Magnima scowled, “Your town is certainly riled up this morning. Did you spread any rumors last night, Scarlet?”
	“Me? No, I had dinner and went to sleep right after our last challenge,” I replied. Chris was on my mind, what had he done? It must have been him, “You may ask my summons, I have not left the house whilst preparing this morning.”
	The dwarven woman sighed wearily, “My chances of reelection are tanking over this little game, Magnima. Let us wrap this up quickly,” She cleared her throat and signaled to her son, “Your fourth challenge will be to locate and remove Master Goldfrey’s elusive unicorn however you see fit. Go ahead, go find it,” She dismissed us witches quickly before wandering back down to town. 
	Magnima’s face turned red as she scowled at me, “Well, go on then. I’ll be waiting for the fifth challenge to finally defeat you.”
	“You’re not going to look?” I asked, taken aback by her seeming disinterest in completing it.
	“I have a husband back home, Scarlet,” She smugly declared, “Have fun on your wild goose chase.”
	My tail shook back and forth frustratedly. If Magnima was giving up, why did I need to waste my time? I sighed to myself and shouldered my small bag, “Iris! We’re leaving!” I called to the bear. She hurried to me, eager to go. With the waving of my staff, the sleigh was pulled from the shed and magically strapped to the bear. I got in, took the reins, and gave the order for Iris to go. The sleigh felt empty without Chris next to me.
	
	Once in town, I tried to find Chris. One raven was circling on the east side of town, “Perfect,” I said to myself, picking him up and then going into the woods on the north end would be easy. I found them easily, Chris was sitting outside of the bakery on a snowy bench in his cloak. He stared down at the pastry in his hands as two Ravens stood at his feet. One squawked as I approached in the sleigh. I brought Iris to a halt close by, “Chris?” I called as I climbed out and approached. I could smell alcohol on my friend. His hair was messy and his cloak was a little dirty. Had he not slept? “Chris? Are you well?”
	He dropped his sweets. He looked right at me with bloodshot eyes and a chin covered in five-o-clock shadow. There were a few splotches of grime on his cloak. I froze as I saw him scowl, “Fine,” He mumbled, stepping away from me with short, lumbering strides. 
	“Chris, what’s wrong?” 
	He sped up as I tried to keep pace, pushing past people and trash bins as he made his way down the street to the north end of town. Using my telepathic link to my summon, Iris, I instructed her to move north and then east to help me corner him. The beast shed her sleigh and hustled to where I had ordered. I kept pace with my friend but gave him fifteen feet of space. He looked west, looking to walk that way at the edge of town to keep avoiding me, but Iris was rapidly approaching. With the large beast coming down the other way, the bear and I had cornered Chris, “Chris, cease this.”
“For what? So I can watch you give up to that mana sucking bird woman?” He shouted back before turning to the woods and scrambling in.
I sighed wearily and began to follow him into the forest, “Stay here, Iris,” I ordered as I struggled through the ice. Chris was bundled up in the robe I conjured and was making good pace, despite flailing, wobbling, and crashing a few times, “Chris!” I called as I scrambled over frozen logs and around snow covered bushes, “Chris, please!” I pleaded with the boy as I chased him deeper into the woods. 
	He stood on the hill above me, maybe thirty feet away and turned back. He looked ill and was a bit wobbly, “What do you want?” He growled. The huge dark circles under his eyes told me he had gotten very little sleep last night, if any at all. His face also seemed a little stained, had he cried? Was I at fault?
	“I just want to talk!”
	He grunted and turned away, stubbornly still hurrying into the woods. I could hear him panting from this distance. He definitely wasn’t doing well, “What– What is there to talk about!?” He wheezed.
	“That I’m sorry!” I shouted back.
	He kept going.
	“I feel awful, Chris! I didn’t mean to upset you! I just–” I grunted and climbed over a log, hurrying along, “I was terrified I would lose! I didn’t know what to do! I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
	He stopped again and leaned on a tree. Chris breathed heavily and gripped his chest, “I– I was scared too. It was the first time I had seen you without any confidence. Even when I was dying, you always had a strong face on…”
	“Chris?” I slowly approached him, his face was turning pale and sweat was forming all over his face, “Chris, are you well?”
	He groaned and turned to keep moving. Into a clearing he went, “Ugh, no…”
	Chris collapsed on the ice coated dirt and grass. We both panted, but I hurried to his side, “Chris? Chris are you alright?” I asked as I gripped his cloak. 
	He didn’t have the strength to look at me as he gripped his chest, “No…” He slowly affirmed.
	“Lie down,” I forced him over and conjured a cushion for his head. I put my hand over his Mark, I could feel the pulsing and gripping of his heart, the Mark was irregulating his already rapid heartbeat. I needed to act quickly. With staff in hand, and a grimace on my face as I looked into the pained, sweating expression on my friend’s face, I got to work. A spell of my own design forced Chris’s shirt and cloak off in one motion and put them neatly in a pile. The Mark was trying to expand, but was kept in by the circles of runes. A mental note was made to make a fifth circle of runes for the boy, but for now I needed to calm him and stop the dark magicks at play, “Chris,” I gripped a hand of his tightly, “Look at me, there is nothing to fear. Deep breaths for me, okay?”
	He nodded, despite his quivering lip, and started to breathe. I raised my staff and uttered the druidic magicks necessary to counteract the Mark’s dark hold. As I had done hundreds of times, I cast the spell using little more than words, my staff, and a small sprig of enchanted plant. With a gasp for air, Chris laid still, his breathing regulated and his heartbeat slowed and stabilized. He looked so peaceful now. I brushed his cheek with the back of my hand, wiping off a bit of grime, “Better?” I whispered.
	The boy nodded and slowly turned to me, “Yeah, I–” His eyes grew wide, “R-Robin–” He stammered.
	Now undistracted, I felt the presence of what he was staring at over my shoulder. A soothing, calm aura laid over the grounds around us. I slowly turned around. Towering over us where we knelt on the ground was the creature we were looking for. A unicorn, in all its glory stared at us with its vibrant and noble blue eyes. Across its whole body was white, sparkling hair and a mane of glorious, braided gold. The horn matched her golden mane, swirling to a sharp point out of her forehead. She moved majestically and had a deep wisdom in her otherwise animalistic eyes. My heart fluttered, I was just as stunned as Chris, neither of us could move in the creature's almost heavenly presence. It blinked at Chris, then turned to me, blinking its intelligent eyes before slowly bowing its head in greeting. I scrambled to my feet and gave it a low bow as Chris slowly got up. He mimicked me as best as he could. 
	I couldn’t speak as my nerves had gotten the better of me, but the unicorn looked right at Chris as if beckoning him to talk.
	“Us?” My friend asked, “We, uh, came looking for you,” He explained, “M-Miss unicorn.”
	She cocked her head slightly.
	“Not to hunt you,” There was fear in my friend’s voice. He looked to me as if for guidance.
	“You can understand her?” I whispered.
	“You can’t?” He looked even more nervous now, “W-well… My friend and I–”
	He looked stunned at the unicorn's words. 
	“Us? No, no no. Just… Friends,” He explained, “We came looking for you because it's not safe for you. There’s a crazy woman who is more than happy to kill you, and the loggers want to cut the trees here…” He sighed, “We don’t want anything to happen to you.”
	The unicorn stood still for a moment. My mind wandered, trying to figure out how he could speak to the majestic creature. Was it the druidic mana within him? It had to be.
	“Y-you want me to–” Chris looked ill. He clutched his chest as a look of terror crossed his face. He paused, “That’s all you want of us? I’m terrified, Miss.”
	“What? What does she want?” I desperately wanted to know.
	The unicorn looked at Chris expectantly. Suddenly emboldened, he looked into my eyes, “Robin…” He trailed off, licking his dry lips slowly, “We’ve been friends for a long time,” He started, slowly looking for the words, “More than that, it feels. You’ve taken care of me all my life. I’ve always been able to rely on you, no matter what I’m going through. Only recently have I ever had any doubts, and that really isn’t your fault. I know I didn’t say anything, but I can see on your face that I really… hurt you…” 
	“Don’t cry, dear,” I softly cooed, wiping his cheek with the back of my hand. 
He gently took my hand, brushing it against his cheek again, “I know I’m saying this, with a unicorn right next to us and all, but you’re the most gorgeous and kind creature to walk this earth. I know you don’t need me. But I need you, Robin.”
	“Why would you think I don’t need you?” I put his cheeks in both of my hands, “I would have died of malnutrition years ago without your cooking. Who makes sure I drink, keep my home clean, makes sure I stay warm when it's cold, and keeps me clothed? It’s you, dear. I am so proud of how far you’ve come as my apprentice. I cherish the time I get to spend with you as my friend, and I hold the feeling of your smile dearly,” I smiled at him brightly, “Chris, you are such a silly boy.”
	Chris nodded, he was gently pushing his face into my palms. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but otherwise this was the most at peace I had ever seen him. The Mark, his worries, his fears, and everything else clouding his mind had all finally gone. Was this the unicorn’s magic at play? “Robin…” He mewled weakly, “I don't mean it like that… I’ve always had feelings for you. I never could bring myself to say anything. I want to be more than friends, Robin. I'm in love with you.”
	The words finally fully registered in my mind, he felt that way about me? The words rang in my ears for longer than I cared to admit. I looked up at the man I had rested my hands upon now, his bare chest, his muscles soft yet firm to the touch. I could feel the warmth of his reddened face through my palms, and I began to feel clammy and nervous by comparison. Had he always been so burly? His broad chest rose and fell gently as I looked at him, he somehow appeared to be calmer than his expression let on, while I had become more and more self-conscious. He was so much bigger than me and his body had reddened in the cold, his face flush. I had never looked at him this way before and yet when those words left his mouth it was like a spell had been lifted. I could not help but realize that the boy I had grown up beside had become a man, and an extraordinarily handsome one in my eyes. I was able to push past the protective, sisterly thoughts I had of him and found my own feelings for him rather quickly. It was like a switch in my mind as I looked at him as a man and not the hurting boy he had always been. I held his handsome face gently and a smile crossed my lips, “I love you too, dear,” I gently brought him into my arms, holding him close as I tried not to cry, too. I put on a strong face as my lover, despite being taller than me, put his weary head on my shoulder and held me tight, “Have you really gone this whole time thinking you weren’t enough?”
	I felt him nod.
	“Oh, you… Whatever will I do with you?” I chuckled and dried my face, “I am a fool as well, truth be told,” I quickly admitted as Chris regained his composure, “I was such a fool that I could not realize the reason that I trained so hard and spent so many sleepless nights studying was not because I felt responsible for you, it's because I loved you. The little boy I took care of became a man who takes care of me in turn. That dream of yours, to see the ocean and stand amongst the waves as you stare out into the endless waters. I wanted so badly to see it through. To see it with you. I wanted to save you and make you happy. I pushed the small things I enjoyed and made my heart flutter from my mind because I wanted to make you happy. You are what makes me happy, Christopher,” It was my turn to be held, unable to hold back the flow of emotions as tears flowed forth. Chris stroked the back of my head as I pushed my face into his chest. 
	The unicorn, now satisfied, dragged her hoof through the ice. With another bow, she turned to go.
	“Uh, thank you!” Chris choked out as he wiped his face with the back of his hand.
	“Yes! Goodbye, friend!” I called with a grin on my face.
	If a horse could smile warmly, the unicorn would have as she looked at us over her shoulder before stepping out of the clearing, her body shimmering and sparkling as she slowly disappeared into the foliage. I had won my second challenge, but maybe Chris had gotten the true victory now. We stepped back from one another, but still in the other’s personal space as we held hands. His skin was cold and clammy now, just like it always was. Him being shirtless in the snow wasn’t helping. My thumb ran along the back of his hand, just hoping to pass along a bit of warmth.
	“You have to win this last challenge now,” Chris sighed wearily as he picked up his cloak and shirt then cast a spell to freshen himself up.
	“I know, my dear,” I had to hold back with all my might from caressing his face again. I wanted to hold him again, “I will. We should return to the mayor.”
	“She’s going to kill this buzz…” He groaned, “I can’t believe it took a unicorn to finally get me to say how I felt. It was for some kind of… enjoyment for her.”
	“Oh? Then we are of similar taste,” I chuckled as I led him by the hand back towards town, “I don’t know if she would have left had you not been here,” I frowned and I looked to him again, trying to read his exhausted face, “Look, Chris, dear… I am very sorry for the anguish I have caused you. Perhaps it was selfish of me to shut down like I did over those twin trees.”
	With the shake of his head, Chris gave my hand a squeeze, “No. You were right to be upset. Those meant something to you and your master. I was the one being childish. I’m sorry.”
	“It is nothing to fret about. Had you not, maybe we would not have found the unicorn,” I chuckled to myself, “I forgive you.”
	Chris nodded as we reached town. We looked at one another and at our still intertwined fingers, “We better…”
	“To look professional…”
	“Yeah…”
	Slowly, I let him go. I had this awful feeling that I would lose him, for some reason. My emotions were just flaring, probably. We stepped out of the woods, still close to one another. Iris was patiently waiting for us, now looking excited as Chris approached, “Hi, girl,” He stroked her under her chin, “Sorry for making you worry.”
	“We’re all happy to have you back, Mister Cooper,” I smiled. He helped me into the sleigh before climbing in next to me. With a deep breath, we were off. 

	The ride to town hall was short. Surprisingly, a crowd had formed. Mister Cooper had a smile on his lips, mischievous and impish, “I, uh, told everyone what the mayor was up to when I was binge drinking. People aren’t happy.”
	“I can see that,” I steeled my nerves. I prayed this would force Mayor Buruz-Brakborn to either call this off or rig the last challenge in my favor, “What’s got them in such a foul mood?”
	“I told them she wants to replace you with a witch who doesn’t know anything about the Mark. Not really a lie, is it? She hasn’t demonstrated any knowledge of it.”
With a nod, I brought Iris into the parking lot and had her stay put as some of the bored children came over to examine the polar bear, “Best behavior,” I pointed a single finger at her. With a nod, she laid down as the children started to pet her fur. Their parents looked nervous. We were let through the crowd amidst the shouts and murmurs all directed at the dwarven woman who stood atop the stairs leading up to the big double doors. Mister Cooper was right behind me with a nervous look on his face. 
	“Please, please!” Mayor Buruz-Brakborn tried to calm the crowd. Magnima stood behind her looking wholly annoyed, “This little challenge was just supposed to be between these two. I never promised Magnima that I would make her court wizard!”
“She’s trying to save face,” Chris grumbled wearily as he walked next to me. 
I tugged on his cloak, “Hush.”
“Madame Scarlet knows he is right,” Kynalia was right behind us along with some other peeved townsfolk, “Kynalia agrees.”
I recognized a lot of them. I knew them. They were the people I worked on, out of the few hundred in town, about fifty people had the Mark. Most didn’t need much work on theirs. Chris, Kynalia, and Zarik had it the worst, along with a few others, but even those who I saw once or twice a year were here with their families and lovers. More than a hundred people crowded the lawn of the town hall. We made our way to the front with Chris still fidgeting, “Ah, here’s our court wizard now,” Mayor Buruz-Brakborn put on a fake smile, “How was your unicorn hunt– I mean, you relocated it, right?”
	“Yes,” I nodded, “The unicorn was asked to move for her own safety and she agreed.”
	“Good, good. With a crowd of people, we shall begin the fifth challenge shortly,” The mayor was still faking an upbeat mood despite all the glares digging into her.
	“Let us get this over with,” Magnima groaned with the roll of her eyes, “This should not be so difficult to choose who is right for court wizard.”
	The gathered crowd murmured amongst themselves. Chris stepped forward and shed his cloak, “You’re right,” He huffed. I could see he was trembling. Was that rage? Fear? “Rather than another menial task, why not focus on the Mark?” The crowd behind him all agreed.
	“That’s a fair point,” The mayor nodded. She was trying to placate the angry crowd, “How shall we judge this?”
	“I think Chris has an idea,” Zarik noted, “Are you sure about this, friend?”
	“More than I was when I was drunk,” Chris gave him a determined nod as he lifted his shirt, “Whichever witch can stabilize my mark,” He tossed his bag of medicinal magical herbs aside and pressed his nails into his skin, “Should be our court wizard.”
	“Chris!” I knew what he was doing. From the look on Magnima’s face, I knew she had never even seen someone’s Mark. Disgust and fear crossed the griffonite’s face, “Don’t do this!” I pleaded as I tried to grab his wrist. 
“If Magnima does not know the magic of the Mark, she is unfit to be Logwash’s court wizard,” He issued the challenge with a shaky voice. He was already turning pale. 
	“Buruz-Brakborn will have chosen profit over our lives!” Someone hollered, rousing the crowd into an uproar.
	“Why wouldn’t Magnima know the magic of the Mark? Every wizard I’ve known has!” The mayor weakly shot back, “Fine, we can do your challenge, Chris. Magnima, you may start.”
	The crowd quieted down. Despite my pleading eyes for him to stop this now, Chris gave me a tiny smile. Then, with purpose, he rended his protective runes with his nails. The silvery ink came off and dug under his fingernails, letting the Mark’s curse ravage his heart and body unabated. With a groan, he quickly began to collapse. His pale skin was covered in sweat, “Chris…” I whined as I helped him to the ground, “Well!?” I shouted at Magnima. The hawkish woman was sweating as she approached.
“He’s dying!” Someone gasped. The crowd was starting to get loud again. 
Magnima looked at me before down at Chris’s Mark as it swirled and pulsed. The glare on my face was definitely upsetting her. With her staff, Magnima began her magical incantation. I could tell it was a simple diagnosis spell. I knew it would be fruitless but I dared not stop her. Chris wanted me to win, interfering might jinx that. I gripped his hand and he squeezed mine painfully. He was sweaty again like when he collapsed in the woods. I didn’t know if his body could take two episodes like this.
The crowd started to jeer at Magnima as she tried a few more healing spells, “Robin would have been done by now!”
	“What is she doing?”
“Nothing at all, it looks like.”
“He’s still alive, right?”
	Magnima’s smug look of superiority was completely gone. None of her meager healing spells were doing anything by my estimate. Chris’s grip was getting shakier and his breathing was becoming quite shallow and labored. I lost my temper as the witch before me kept ‘umm’ and ‘ahh’-ing through her spell book. I knocked it from her hand and used a simple force spell to push her back from my beloved apprentice, “Stay with me, darling,” I cooed, having to release his hand. He was groaning in pain and writhing. He looked right at me, barely keeping it together. I felt the irregular heartbeat as I tuned out the world around me. Within my mind’s eye, Chris and I were back in that clearing. 
The rhythm of his heart was terrible; numerous fast, labored thumps before stopping and starting with slow, irregular beats. Working quickly, I used magical components to first quell the Mark’s vile magicks. I didn’t have time to finely grind them, so using my hand would have to do. I brought out extra mana salts, liquid from a small vial, magic herbs, and some tree sap. I hummed to myself to stay calm. Letting my emotions run wild would only hamper this process. Though my heart felt like it would pound out of my chest, I kept as calm as I could for Chris’s sake, “Hush,” I whispered as he moaned in pain. I continued to imagine us both in that icy clearing where we met the unicorn. Nothing but Chris and I existed as I focused on my work. The magic words began to leave my lips as I whispered the incantation. The imagined trees and bushes around me swayed as I invoked the winds of magic unto me to cast the spell. Mana seeped from my furred hands as my claws massaged the sappy paste into the Mark. I found myself whispering soothing words as the spell began to cease the Mark’s hold. I held my hand on Chris’s mark as the magical compounds seeped into the accursed skin. The thumping took a few moments, but it did return to normal. 
	Thump. Thump. Thump. It beat. Chris’ wiggling and whimpering slowly ceased, “Breathe, Mister Cooper,” I took his hand gently in both of mine. I blinked and let the rest of the world back in.
	The crowd was yelling, Mayor Buruz-Brakborn was trying to keep the group from becoming a mob, and Magnima was nowhere to be seen. Chris breathed heavily, gasping for air before finally getting the desired lung-full of air and lying with his eyes closed, “S-Scarlet…” He whined.
I used my silvery pen to fix the first ring of runes. I could almost do it with my eyes closed now, “Hush. Iris is coming. I need to fix your runes. In private,” I explained as I pulled his shirt back down. The boy nodded and closed his eyes, passing out quickly, “Lend me a hand, would you?” The crowd parted as Iris dragged the sleigh towards us. Kynalia was easily able to lift Chris over her shoulder and place him in the vehicle. 
“Uh, Miss Scarlet?” Mayor Buruz-Brakborn tried to get my attention.
“We can speak of my raise another time,” I huffed before turning to everyone before me, “Nothing will get solved here and now. I remain as court wizard,” I told the crowd in a loud, magically amplified voice, “Let your votes be cast in the next few months. For now, please return to your homes.”
“Yes… Next election…” The dwarven mayor’s hair was totally frazzled as she slipped into the town hall and away from the people.
Grumbling and still furious, the crowd began to disperse. This would definitely not be something easily forgotten by the people of Logwash, I knew that as certainly as I knew how relieved I was to see the color returning to Chris’ face, “Kynalia wonders if Christopher will be well,” The big cat woman sighed. She was one of the few remaining on the lawn.
“He will,” Her husband chuckled, “He’s in Madame Scarlet’s hands after all.”
“I require a bit of time to heal him,” I admitted as I slowly climbed into the sleigh. The exhaustion of the morning’s events was getting to me now, “Where did Magnimala go?”
“Ran off in the commotion,” The halfling chuckled.
“Could not take the heat, got out of the kitchen in her big fancy car,” Kynalia grinned. Chris stirred and groaned, “You should go! Kynalia understands.”
With a nod I tugged on the reins, “Good day, friends.”
	“Good day!” Kynalia gave a big smile and a wave as Iris began to lumber off. Chris leaned on me, snoring softly. It made me smile, despite how small the gesture was. His weight on me brought me no small comfort, especially after that stunt he had pulled.

. . . . .

	“Darling husband! I am home!” Robin hollered as she returned to her cottage and dispersed her magical umbrella. Rain fell gently outside and the sound of droplets on the windows and roof filled the home. The fox-witch’s summons were all snoozing around the fireplace including an all black cat with silver stripes that was conjured to keep an eye on Chris.
	Chris rolled his eyes. He was wearing a white apron over his casual clothes, “We’re not married, Robin,” He still found himself smiling as the ever glee filled witch approached. He had a hand mixer in one hand and a big bowl of potatoes in the other as he stood in the kitchen over the stove.
	The fox woman stood on her tip toes and kissed him on the cheek before playfully scratching at his short beard, “I know. But what else am I to call you? Your recent promise has brought me so much joy!” She swooned as she thought of it again.
	“To marry you if you can take me to the ocean. I know,” He sighed as he finished her sentence, “We’re both excited,” He stopped as he looked at her teasing smile.
	Robin had a single finger on her cheek as she expectantly eyed her man. With a deep breath, he leaned in and kissed her cheek, as demanded. Robin giggled to herself and grinned impishly, “Did you hear the news?”
	“What is it now?” He feared another article about some wannabe court wizard rolling into town. It had only been a month since the Magnima challenge.
	“Well, Mayor Kynalia has been counting beans again after the mines got in full swing. She’s giving us a raise, darling,” Robin grinned.
	“That’s great news. Maybe we can finally afford a nicer TV in my room or some of those tomes you’ve been wanting,” Chris gave her a smile as he went back to mashing potatoes. 
	“It's not that I want them!” The witch protested as she hung up her hat on a rack in the work space, “I need them. For my work on the Mark. I do not know if your body can take a sixth ring of runes… I need to solve this soon.”
	Chris touched his chest silently. He put the potatoes down and flipped the steaks on his stove. He had five rings now, more than anyone else in Logwash. He knew Robin was right, he barely had the mana to keep this many rings going. He sipped on salty liquor from a flask and nodded, “I know.”
	“The sooner I solve this, the sooner we can get married and… Have children…” She trailed off dreamily, “Anywho. We’ve made great strides, darling,” Her coat-like wizard’s cloak was hung up next, “But I fear I need outside help to make another great breakthrough.”
	With a nod, Chris began to plate up their dinner, “That’s nothing to be ashamed of. A wizard familiar with curses would be helpful. But hey, last I heard Grandmaster Maxamillion had taken an interest. His home isn’t that far away, right?”
	“True,” She returned to her love and examined his cooking, “No fish tonight?”
	Chris scoffed, “I gotta cook my favorite sometime, alright? We can’t have sushi every night, Robin.”
	“I know, I know,” She reached up and ruffled his hair, “Thank you for cooking, darling.”
	“Of course,” His face turned flush quickly as he brought the meals to the table. 
They sat across from one another and Chris watched as Robin cut and bit into her steak. Even if it wasn’t fish, the melt in her mouth steak was still wonderful. She had a big smile on her face, “Thank you for the food.”
	“Mhm,” He let himself eat now, “Oh, it's your turn,” He gestured to the board game in the corner sitting on a fold out table, “I just moved and bought a card. Got a good one,” He smiled impishly.
	Robin huffed, “I doubt it. I have won this game already.”
	“If you say so…”
	“No need to look so glum,” Chris felt the fox woman’s foot playfully touch his, “You’ll win the next one, love,” With the wave of her hand, she did her turn between bites of food. Resources collected, points gained, and a single card played, “I now have forty points. Next turn I will build a few buildings, gain a bonus, and get to the desired fifty. You merely have thirty-five.”
	“Mhm,” Chris got up from the table and stared at the board. He played his card, “I chose to gain your stones. I’ll build… a well and a fountain then finish the castle I had put resources into a few turns ago. That brings me to fifty two. I move my mage to the stone pile to block you,” He sat down and went back to his steak.
	Robin kicked him under the table, mostly playfully as she put on a pouty face, “You stinker…”
	“Hey, you’ll win the next one,” He grinned. 
	The fox woman gripped the steak knife before gently putting it down and chuckling, “Good work. Perhaps I should have been prepared for a more devious strategy.”
	“For sure.”
	Chris froze as Robin leaned across the table and kissed him on the lips, licking a bit of steak juice off his lip as she pulled back, “Does my conquering hero want anything tonight?” She licked her lips and grinned as Chris turned red again.
	“Uh… I don’t know. Ice cream and a movie?”
	“As you wish,” She returned to her food, “We will find something to watch tonight as well as have a sweet treat,” With the wave of her hand, the board game was reset, “And begin anew.”
	Chris nodded and slowly calmed down with a few deep breaths, “Robin–”
	“Yes, I love you too, darling.”
	“Well, yes, I love you,” He looked at the witch with an apologetic smile, “But I was going to say you got gravy on your chin.”
	Robin pouted again in that cute way only she could.